2 Chronicles 8:10

And these were the chief of king Solomon's officers, even two hundred and fifty, that bare rule over the people.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

8:1 - 18 Solomon's buildings and trade. - It sometimes requires more wisdom and resolution to govern a family in the fear of God, than to govern a kingdom with reputation. The difficulty is increased, when a man has a hinderance instead of a help meet in the wife of his bosom. Solomon kept up the holy sacrifices, according to the law of Moses. In vain had the altar been built, in vain had fire come down from heaven, if sacrifices had not been constantly brought. Spiritual sacrifices are required of us, which we are to bring daily and weekly; it is good to be in a settled method of devotion. When the service of the temple was put into good order, it is said, The house of the Lord was perfected. The work was the main matter, not the place; the temple was unfinished till all this was done. Canaan was a rich country, and yet must send to Ophir for gold The Israelites were a wise people, but must be beholden to the king of Tyre for men that had knowledge of the seas. Grace, and not gold, is the best riches, and acquaintance with God and his law, the best knowledge. Leaving the children of this world to scramble for the toys of this world, may we, as the children of God, lay up our treasure in heaven, that where our treasure is, our hearts also may be.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

On the number compare 1 Kings 5:16 note.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

10. two hundred and fifty that bare rule—(Compare 1Ki 9:23). It is generally agreed that the text of one of these passages is corrupt.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

No text from Poole on this verse.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And Baalath,.... See 1 Kings 9:18. From hence, to the end of 2 Chronicles 8:11, it is the same with 1 Kings 9:19. See Gill on 1 Kings 9:19. 1 Kings 9:20. 1 Kings 9:21. 1 Kings 9:22. 1 Kings 9:23. 1 Kings 9:24.

Geneva Study Bible

And these were the chief of king Solomon's officers, even {f} two hundred and fifty, that bare rule over the people.

(f) For in all there were 3300 but here he means of them who had the principal charge, 1Ki 9:23.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

10. And these were the chief] After this preface (cp. 1 Kings 9:23) we expect both here and in 1 Kin. a list of these persons; cp. 1 Chronicles 11:10 ff; 1 Chronicles 12:1 ff. Possibly the text of 1 Kin. suffered at an early date, and the list was missing when the Chronicler wrote.

two hundred and fifty] According to 1 Kings 9:23, five hundred and fifty. On the other hand the under-overseers are reckoned at three thousand six hundred in 2 Chronicles 2:18 as against three thousand three hundred in 1 Kings 5:16. The total number therefore of overseers of all kinds is given both in 1 Kin. and 2 Chr. as 3850.

2 Chronicles 8:10

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

שׁלישׁיו ושׁרי should be altered into ושׁלישׁיו שׂריו as in 1 Kings 9:22, for שׁלישׁים are not chariot combatants, but royal adjutants; see on Exodus 14:7 and 2 Samuel 23:8. Over the statute labourers 250 upper overseers were placed. נציבים שׂרי, chief of the superiors, i.e., chief overseer. The Keth. נציבים, praefecti, is the true reading; cf. 1 Chronicles 18:13; 2 Chronicles 17:2. The Keri has arisen out of 1 Kings 9:23. These overseers were Israelites, while in the number 550 (1 Kings 9:23) the Israelite and Canaanite upper overseers are both included; see on 2 Chronicles 2:17. בּעם refers to כּל־העם, 2 Chronicles 8:7, and denotes the Canaanite people who remained.