2 Chronicles 8:6
And Baalath, and all the store cities that Solomon had, and all the chariot cities, and the cities of the horsemen, and all that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and throughout all the land of his dominion. And Baalath, and all the store cities that Solomon had, and all the chariot cities, and the cities of the horsemen, and all that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and throughout all the land of his dominion.
The verse lists the full scope of Solomon's building enterprise, in Baalath and in all his store cities and chariot cities and cities for horsemen, and in all that he desired to build in Jerusalem and in Lebanon and throughout all the land of his dominion. It reveals an ambition to excel all other nations in power and grandeur. It shows a patterning after the world and a competing with the world in massive buildings and magnificent furnishings. It exposes the supposition that outward display gives character to the work of God.
It illustrates engrossment with vanity while perfection and beauty of character were overlooked. It marks the loss of the foundation principle of obedience to every precept of Scripture. It traces how luxury was followed by wanton extravagance and the squandering of vast riches. It connects this course to the levying of grievous tax upon the poor.
It connects this course further to selling honor and integrity to glorify self and to becoming a despot. It proves that power and riches obtained at the sacrifice of right principles are a terrible curse. It proves that real power lies not in numbers nor in wealth nor in displayed worldly prosperity, but in steadfast adherence to God's Word.