What is the meaning of 1 Kings 4:26?

Solomon had

• 1 Kings 4:26 begins, “Solomon had…,” reminding us that every asset listed is an unmistakable gift from God, just as the Lord promised in 1 Kings 3:13.

• The verse sits amid a chapter cataloging Solomon’s administrators (1 Kings 4:1-19) and daily provisions (4:22-23), underscoring orderly leadership and extraordinary abundance.

• Deuteronomy 17:14-17 warned Israel’s future kings not to exalt themselves or rely on military stockpiles. Solomon’s possessions highlight God’s blessing (1 Kings 10:23-24) while also hinting at the danger of drifting toward self-reliance.

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4,000 stalls for his chariot horses

• Stalls speak of permanent infrastructure. A single stall housed a prized animal; 4,000 stalls reveal a vast, organized stable system.

• 2 Chronicles 9:25 repeats the same figure, confirming the scale and accuracy of the record.

• Practical purposes:

– Rapid national defense (compare 2 Samuel 10:18 where chariots turned the tide of battle).

– Royal prestige displayed before visiting dignitaries (see 1 Kings 10:1-5).

• Spiritual lens: Psalm 20:7 cautions, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” The text records the number without commending misplaced trust; the surrounding narrative will later show Solomon’s heart turning (1 Kings 11:4).

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and 12,000 horses

• Twelve thousand horses match the stalls in a 3-to-1 ratio, implying three horses per chariot team—one pulling, one reserve, one for the rider (cf. 1 Kings 10:26).

• Sourcing: 1 Kings 10:28 notes imports from Egypt and Kue, indicating international trade links and economic breadth.

• The quantity testifies to:

– God’s fulfillment of His word to magnify Solomon (1 Kings 3:13; 4:29-34).

– Israel’s golden-age security (1 Kings 5:4, “the LORD my God has given me rest on every side”).

• Yet Deuteronomy 17:16’s warning against multiplying horses shadows the account, reminding readers that lavish blessing demands continued obedience.

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summary

1 Kings 4:26 records literal, measurable evidence of the prosperity God granted Solomon: 4,000 purpose-built stalls and 12,000 horses. The verse showcases divine favor, administrative excellence, military readiness, and national prestige, while at the same time echoing covenant cautions not to place ultimate confidence in earthly power.