And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem. (1 Kings 10:26)
These cities were probably in the nature of military posts to hold the subject peoples under control. Stables at Megiddo, most probably Ahab’s, have been excavated (see on ch. 9:15).
Chariots and horsemen.
See on ch. 4:26. The gathering of chariots and horsemen is a sign of military conquest and extension of empire by force. The accumulation of horses was expressly against the purpose of God, who directed that Israel’s future king should “not multiply horses to himself” (Deut. 17:16). Gains secured in such ways would in the end prove to be only loss. Solomon realized it not. Already he stood at a vital parting of the way. Before him lay the path of obedience, which would lead to continued peace and glory; and the path of disobedience, which would lead to trouble, oppression, and shame.