And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the vale for abundance.
2 CHRONICLES 1:15KJVWhat does 2 Chronicles 1:15 mean?
2 Chronicles 1:15 describes how, during King Solomon’s reign in Jerusalem, silver and gold became as common as stones, and cedar trees were as plentiful as the sycamore trees in the valleys. This verse highlights the extraordinary wealth and abundance that marked Solomon’s rule.
The Chronicler is recounting Solomon’s early reign, emphasizing the prosperity and resources available in Jerusalem at that time. The mention of silver, gold, and cedar trees points to both economic strength and the ability to build and beautify the city, setting the stage for Solomon’s later construction projects, including the temple.
The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 1:15
- king (מֶלֶךְ, melekh): Refers specifically to Solomon, whose leadership is being highlighted as the source of this prosperity.
- made (נָתַן, natan): This verb means “to give” or “to make,” showing that Solomon actively caused or arranged for this abundance, not just that it happened by chance.
- cedar trees (אֶרֶז, erez): Cedars were highly valued and imported, especially from Lebanon, so comparing their abundance to common sycamores underlines just how plentiful rare resources became.
Why 2 Chronicles 1:15 matters
- This verse clears up any idea that Jerusalem’s wealth was ordinary; it stresses that Solomon’s reign was marked by an almost unbelievable level of prosperity.
- The focus on materials like silver, gold, and cedar connects to the larger narrative about Solomon’s preparations to build the temple, showing how resources were gathered for a specific purpose.
- By comparing valuable things to common ones (silver and gold to stones, cedar to sycamore), the verse uses vivid imagery to help readers grasp just how extraordinary the situation was.