1 Kings 4:26 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Forty thousand — In 2 Chronicles 9:25, it is but four thousand. But it is not exactly the same Hebrew word which is here and there, though we translate both stalls; and therefore there may well be allowed some difference in the signification, the one signifying properly stables, of which there were four thousand, the other stalls or partitions for each horse, which were forty thousand. Chariots — Both for his military chariots, which seem to be those fourteen hundred, 1 Kings 10:26, and for divers other uses, as about his great and various buildings, and merchandises, and other occasions, which might require some thousands of other chariots. Horsemen — Appointed partly for the defence of his people in peace; and partly for attendance upon his person, and for the splendor of his government.