Written Criticism – Number of Bids for Solomon the Wise’s Horse
His Holiness Pope Shenouda explained what seems to be a contradiction between 1 Kings 4:26 and 2 Chronicles 9:25 regarding the number of Solomon’s horse stalls.
In 1 Kings, it says Solomon had 40,000 stalls, while in 2 Chronicles it says 4,000 stalls. The Pope clarified that this is not a contradiction but a difference in meaning.
The term stall had two uses:
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It referred to the whole building or stable.
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It also referred to each smaller space where one horse stood.
Thus, Solomon could have had 4,000 stables, each containing 10 inner stalls, making 40,000 total.
He further explained that the number of horsemen (12,000) fits with this count, since each chariot was drawn by two or four horses, perfectly matching the totals in both books.
His Holiness concluded that such examples show the precision and harmony of the Holy Bible, and that those who read it with spiritual understanding realize that there is no contradiction in God’s Word, only unity and depth.
