1 Kings 10:26

26 And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen, and he had a thousand four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen: and he bestowed them in fenced cities, and with the king in Jerusalem.

1 Kings 10:26 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 10:26

And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen
Both for war; for though it was a time of peace, he provided against the worst, lest an enemy should come upon him suddenly, and when unprepared:

and he had one thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand
horsemen; of the latter (See Gill on 1 Kings 4:26)

whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at
Jerusalem;
some of the horsemen were quartered in the cities where the chariots were placed, and some of them in Jerusalem, to be near the king's person, and to be a guard to him on occasion. Josephus ^F6 says, half of them were in Jerusalem about the king, and the rest were dispersed through the king's villages.

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 Antiqu l. 8. c. 2. sect. 4.

1 Kings 10:26 In-Context

24 And all the earth desired to see Solomon’s face, to hear his wisdom, which God had given in his heart.

25 And every one brought him presents, vessels of silver and of gold, garments, and armour, and spices, and horses, and mules, every year.

26 And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen, and he had a thousand four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen: and he bestowed them in fenced cities, and with the king in Jerusalem.

27 And he made silver to be as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones: and cedars to be as common as sycamores which grow in the plains.

28 And horses were brought for Solomon out of Egypt, and Coa: for the king’s merchants bought them out of Coa, and brought them at a set price.