And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.

2 CHRONICLES 9:20KJV
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2 Chronicles 9:20 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 9:20 mean?

2 Chronicles 9:20 describes how all of King Solomon’s drinking vessels and the items in the house of the forest of Lebanon were made of pure gold, and that silver was considered of little value during his reign. This verse highlights the extraordinary wealth and luxury of Solomon’s kingdom, where even everyday items were made from the finest materials.

The setting is the court of King Solomon, as described by the chronicler to show the peak of Israel’s prosperity and splendor under his rule. The “house of the forest of Lebanon” was a grand building used for royal functions, and the mention of gold over silver emphasizes just how abundant and impressive Solomon’s resources were at this time.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 9:20

  • כֵּלִים (kelim, “vessels”): This word refers to containers or utensils, and its use here shows that not just ceremonial items, but even common drinking vessels, were made of gold.
  • בֵּית יַעַר הַלְּבָנוֹן (beit ya’ar haLevanon, “house of the forest of Lebanon”): This was a significant palace or hall, named for its cedar pillars from Lebanon, underlining the grandeur and international connections of Solomon’s building projects.
  • סָגוּר (sagur, “pure”): The word for “pure” gold stresses the quality, not just the quantity, of the materials used—these were not just gold-plated or mixed, but of the highest standard.
  • חָשַׁב (chashav, “accounted”): This word means to consider or value; the verse points out that silver was not even counted as valuable in Solomon’s days, showing the extreme wealth and the standards of the time.

Why 2 Chronicles 9:20 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Solomon’s wealth was exaggerated or only ceremonial; it shows that even practical, everyday objects were made from gold, not just treasures or temple items.
  • The detail about silver being “not accounted of” highlights the immense prosperity and sets a contrast with other times in Israel’s history, where silver was valuable.
  • By connecting to the larger narrative, this verse emphasizes the fulfillment of God’s promises to Solomon and Israel, and sets the stage for understanding the later decline after such a high point.

Where else these words appear

“drinking” Hebrew H4945 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
  • Leviticus 11:34 Of all meat which may be eaten, that on which such water cometh shall be unclean: and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean.
  • Isaiah 32:6 For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.

“any” Hebrew H3972 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
  • 1 Samuel 12:4 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.
  • 2 Samuel 13:2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.

“forest” Hebrew H3293 · used in 58 verses

  • Deuteronomy 19:5 As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:
  • Psalms 96:12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
  • Isaiah 56:9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.

“Lebanon” Hebrew H3844 · used in 64 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:7 Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:8 Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,
  • Isaiah 33:9 The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits.