2 Chronicles 8:4 - Solomon's Additional Accomplishments

He built Tadmor in the wilderness
Tadmor, also known as Palmyra, was an ancient city located in the Syrian desert. Its strategic location made it a vital trade center connecting the East and West. Solomon's construction of Tadmor highlights his wisdom in establishing trade routes and fortifying his kingdom's economic strength. The wilderness setting emphasizes the challenges of building in remote areas, showcasing Solomon's resourcefulness and the prosperity of his reign. This construction effort reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon for wisdom and wealth (1 Kings 3:12-13).

in addition to all the store cities
Store cities were essential for the storage of goods, grain, and supplies, ensuring the kingdom's stability and preparedness for times of scarcity or conflict. These cities demonstrate Solomon's administrative acumen and foresight in managing resources. The concept of store cities is reminiscent of Joseph's strategy in Egypt (Genesis 41:48-49), where he stored grain during years of plenty to prepare for famine. This parallel underscores the importance of wise stewardship and planning.

that he had built in Hamath
Hamath was a significant city-state located in modern-day Syria, north of Israel. It was an important center during Solomon's reign, and its inclusion in his building projects indicates the extent of his influence and control. The mention of Hamath connects to the broader narrative of Israel's territorial expansion under Solomon, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham regarding the land (Genesis 15:18). This expansion also prefigures the ultimate reign of Christ, who will establish His kingdom over all the earth (Psalm 72:8). Solomon's efforts in Hamath reflect the peace and prosperity that characterized his reign, serving as a type of the future Messianic kingdom.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Solomon
The king of Israel, known for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem.

2. Tadmor
A city built by Solomon in the wilderness, which later became known as Palmyra, a significant trade center.

3. Wilderness
The region where Tadmor was built, indicating a strategic location for trade and defense.

4. Store Cities
Cities built by Solomon to store supplies, likely for military and trade purposes, enhancing the kingdom's infrastructure.

5. Hamath
A region in northern Israel, indicating the extent of Solomon's building projects and influence.

Teaching Points

Strategic Planning and Wisdom
Solomon's building of Tadmor and store cities reflects the importance of strategic planning and foresight. Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom in managing resources and planning for the future.

God's Provision and Blessing
The establishment of store cities signifies God's provision and blessing. Christians are reminded to trust in God's provision while also being diligent stewards of what they have been given.

Influence and Expansion
Solomon's projects extended his influence and secured his kingdom. Believers are called to expand their influence for God's kingdom through wise and intentional actions.

Preparation for Future Needs
Just as Solomon prepared for future needs through his building projects, Christians should prepare for spiritual and physical needs, ensuring they are equipped for challenges ahead.

(4) And he built Tadmor in the wilderness.--That is, Palmyra, in the wilderness, on the traders' route between the coast and Thapsacuson the Euphrates. See 1Kings 9:18, where Tamar or Tammor of the Heb. text is explained by the margin to mean Tadmor; and the epithet, "in the wilderness," seems certainly to identify the two names. That Solomon was the founder of Palmyra is the tradition of the country to this day.

And all the store cities, which he built in Hamath.--1Kings 9:19 mentions these cities, but not their locality. They were no doubt "places of arms," and served as outposts against the hostile neighbouring kingdom of Zobah-Damascus. (See 1Kings 11:23-25.) So far as they lay on the caravan route, they would serve also as victualling stations. (Comp. 2Chronicles 32:28.)

Verse 4. - Tadmor in the wilderness. Tadmor, one with the classical Palmyra, lay in the desert of Syria, about half-way between the rivers Orontes and Euphrates, and distant from Damascus about a hundred and forty miles to its east-north-east. Stanley ('Sinai and Palestine,' p. 8, note 1) says, "Is it quite certain that 'Tadmor' and 'Palmyra' are words derived from the (palms)? A palm is in Hebrew tamar... and in Greek... phoenix." Solomon was probably not the originator, but rather re-builder, of the place. Its fame was great under Zenobia, the Queen of Odenathus; she was taken captive by the Emperor Aurelian, A.D. 273, when the city was subdued. It is now little better than the haunt of a few Arabs Splendid ruins remain, specially of the great temple of the sun. The Hebrew text of 1 Kings 9:18 has apparently Tamer, or Tamar, and it has been suggested by Movers on that passage that possibly a Tamar in the south, and that is found in the neighbourhood of some of the other places, such as Baalath, Beth-heron, and Gezer, all in the south (Ezekiel 47:19; Ezekiel 48:28; ch. 20:2), is intended. Our text, however, in the present place offers no choice, while that in Kings (compare Chethiv and Keri) is doubtful. And finally, our writer is here evidently in the neighbourhood of Hamath, which of course best suits Tadmor. Although there is an apparent disjointedness between this and the parallel, closer notice may rather bring confirmation of substantial agreement between them. For instance, the store cities here spoken of as belonging to Hamath (but not individually named here and not corresponding with those that are named in Kings) are accounted for by the words, "and in Lebanon," in 1 Kings 9:19. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

He built
וַיִּ֥בֶן (way·yi·ḇen)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1129: To build

Tadmor
תַּדְמֹ֖ר (taḏ·mōr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8412: Tadmor -- a city built by Solomon

in the wilderness,
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר (bam·miḏ·bār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

along with all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the store
הַֽמִּסְכְּנ֔וֹת (ham·mis·kə·nō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4543: Supply, storage

cities
עָרֵ֣י (‘ā·rê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

that
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

he had built
בָּנָ֖ה (bā·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1129: To build

in Hamath.
בַּחֲמָֽת׃ (ba·ḥă·māṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2574: Hamath -- a place North of Damascus

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2 Chronicles 8:4 Catholic BibleOT History: 2 Chronicles 8:4 He built Tadmor in the wilderness (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)