Why does 1 Kings 4:26 mention 40,000 stalls for Solomon’s horses, while 2 Chronicles 9:25 records only 4,000?

Comparing the Passages

In the Berean Standard Bible, 1 Kings 4:26 states:

“Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots and 12,000 horsemen.”

Meanwhile, 2 Chronicles 9:25 reads:

“Solomon had 4,000 stalls for his horses and chariots, and 12,000 horsemen…”

At first glance, these two verses seem to present a numerical discrepancy. One text references 40,000 stalls while the other cites 4,000.

Textual Background and Language Considerations

When reading ancient Hebrew manuscripts, numbers can be particularly prone to copyist errors. Hebrew letters sometimes doubled as numerals, and minute differences in writing could create confusion when scribes carefully preserved texts over long periods. Scholars such as Gleason Archer have noted that a small misstep in copying a single letter could account for variations in recorded figures like “4,000” versus “40,000.”

Early textual witnesses (such as the Masoretic Text) provide the Hebrew basis for the discrepancies we see in English translations. The variant in 1 Kings is typically read as “40,000 stalls” in most surviving Hebrew manuscripts, while 2 Chronicles records “4,000 stalls.” Since the Chronicler wrote centuries later, some propose that the Chronicler might have been reporting a clearer or more rounded figure specifically referencing distinct structures for horses and chariots.

Possible Harmonization Explanations

1. Different Counting Methods

The term “stalls” (Hebrew: אֻרְוֺת, orvot in certain forms) can be used in slightly different ways. It may refer to subdivisions within a stable complex. If 1 Kings mentions the smaller compartments (totaling 40,000), 2 Chronicles might highlight the main stalls or larger enclosures (4,000). In this case, both numbers could be accurate from different emphases.

2. Copyist/Transmission Variance

A plausible explanation is a copyist slip in transcribing numerical values. The Chronicler and the scribe behind the tradition of Kings may have transmitted the figures differently. Still, the substance of the text—an immense number of horses and stalls—remains the same. The best surviving Hebrew manuscripts for 1 Kings preserve “40,000,” while 2 Chronicles consistently has “4,000.” This variation does not affect central doctrines but highlights the ordinary human process of transmission, which in no way negates the inspiration of Scripture.

3. Contextual Scope

In 1 Kings, the context extends to the grandeur and scope of Solomon’s kingdom as a whole—“He had dominion over everything west of the Euphrates” (see 1 Kings 4:24). This broad scope may justify a larger count mentioning many facilities at various royal outposts. Meanwhile, 2 Chronicles 9:25 might compress the figure to the primary or most notable stables in immediate proximity to Solomon’s palace or key chariot cities (such as those uncovered at Megiddo). Archaeological sites in places traditionally associated with Solomon’s reign reveal complex stable-like structures, suggesting a high capacity for horse housing, which could validate large numbers.

Ancient Context and Archaeological Insights

Archaeological discoveries in regions tied to Solomon’s administration (for example, Megiddo, Hazor, and Gezer) have revealed remnants of sizable stable complexes. While not every detail on the capacity of these structures is universally agreed upon, the findings clearly testify to a significant military and chariot force, matching the biblical portrayal of a king whose wealth and power were renowned (1 Kings 10:23).

Furthermore, ancient Near Eastern texts often used large numbers to demonstrate a ruler’s immense resources and grand authority. Even if some records employed hyperbolic or rounded figures, the repeated emphasis on Solomon’s extensive stables (and the 12,000 horsemen, consistently reported in both passages) shows a kingdom with extraordinary military and economic power.

Reliability and Inspiration

Throughout history, scribes meticulously preserved biblical manuscripts, and the remarkable consistency and care are evident across countless fragments and codices. Differences in details (like 4,000 versus 40,000) are exceedingly small in proportion to the entirety of the Bible’s text. Such variants do not alter core theological tenets, such as the nature of God or the path to salvation. The strength of Scripture’s unity and message remains clear, upheld by a wealth of manuscript evidence and cross-referencing through history (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16).

Thematic Conclusion

The difference between “40,000” and “4,000” stalls can be understood within the normal process of manuscript transmission, or as referencing two slightly different groupings of stalls. The heart of both accounts emphasizes Solomon’s unparalleled prosperity, fulfilling prophetic words about the abundance of Israel under his reign (cf. 1 Kings 3:13). These passages, when viewed cohesively, reinforce the consistent biblical portrayal of Solomon’s reign as a time of remarkable wealth, large-scale administration, and unprecedented peace in Israel’s history.