Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 9:26
He reigned over all the kings from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chronicler records Solomon’s territorial dominion immediately after detailing his chariot infrastructure and before noting the economic abundance of silver and cedar. The narrative positions this claim as the administrative peak of his reign.
The words — The Hebrew מוֹשֵׁל (mōšēl) denotes active governance or ruling authority. Paired with בְּכָל־הַמְּלָכִים (bəḵāl-hamməlākîm), it literally states ruling over all the kings in the specified region.
The thread — This geographic boundary echoes the covenant promise in Genesis 15:18, the administrative record in 1 Kings 4:21, and the ideal border in Exodus 23:31. The chronicler deliberately aligns Solomon’s reign with these established geographic markers.
Why it lands — The text presents a historical claim of political control without attributing it to divine authorization in this verse. It requires the reader to evaluate this territorial assertion against the broader biblical criteria for legitimate kingship.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt.
Cross-references
- Genesis 15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates—
- 1 Kings 4:21 And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.
- Exodus 23:31 And I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the Euphrates. For I will deliver the inhabitants into your hand, and you will drive them out before you.
- 1 Kings 4:24 For Solomon had dominion over everything west of the Euphrates—over all the kingdoms from Tiphsah to Gaza—and he had peace on all sides.
- Joshua 13:2 This is the land that remains: All the territory of the Philistines and the Geshurites,
- Psalms 72:8 May he rule from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.
- Daniel 7:14 And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
- Revelation 19:16 And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.