in addition to that which the traders brought, and the traffic of the merchants, and of all the kings of the mixed people, and of the governors of the country. King Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold; six hundred shekels of gold went to one buckler. he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three minas of gold went to one shield; and the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon. Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the finest gold. There were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was round behind; and there were armrests on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests. Twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other on the six steps. Nothing like it was made in any kingdom. All king Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were of silver, because it was considered of little value in the days of Solomon. For the king had a fleet of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet. Once every three years the fleet of Tarshish came, bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. All the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. Year after year, every man brought his tribute, vessels of silver, vessels of gold, clothing, armor, spices, horses, and mules. Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had one thousand four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, that he kept in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem. The king made silver as common as stones in Jerusalem, and cedars as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland. The horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt. The king’s merchants received them in droves, each drove at a price. A chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for one hundred fifty shekels; and so they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites, and to the kings of Syria.
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1 Kings 10:15-29 sits inside this longer paragraph.
The fleet of Hiram that brought gold from Ophir, also brought in from Ophir great quantities of almug trees and precious stones. The king made of the almug trees pillars for Yahweh’s house, and for the king’s house, harps also and stringed instruments for the singers; no such almug trees came or were seen, to this day. King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, in addition to that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own land, she and her servants. Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred sixty-six talents of gold, in addition to that which the traders brought, and the traffic of the merchants, and of all the kings of the mixed people, and of the governors of the country. King Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold; six hundred shekels of gold went to one buckler. he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three minas of gold went to one shield; and the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon. Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the finest gold. There were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was round behind; and there were armrests on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests. Twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other on the six steps. Nothing like it was made in any kingdom. All king Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were of silver, because it was considered of little value in the days of Solomon. For the king had a fleet of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet. Once every three years the fleet of Tarshish came, bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. All the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. Year after year, every man brought his tribute, vessels of silver, vessels of gold, clothing, armor, spices, horses, and mules. Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had one thousand four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, that he kept in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem. The king made silver as common as stones in Jerusalem, and cedars as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland. The horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt. The king’s merchants received them in droves, each drove at a price. A chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for one hundred fifty shekels; and so they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites, and to the kings of Syria.
Parallel Translations
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in addition to that which the traders brought, and the traffic of the merchants, and of all the kings of the mixed people, and of the governors of the country.
King Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold; six hundred shekels of gold went to one buckler.
he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three minas of gold went to one shield; and the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the finest gold.
There were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was round behind; and there were armrests on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.
Twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other on the six steps. Nothing like it was made in any kingdom.
All king Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were of silver, because it was considered of little value in the days of Solomon.
For the king had a fleet of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet. Once every three years the fleet of Tarshish came, bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.
All the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
Year after year, every man brought his tribute, vessels of silver, vessels of gold, clothing, armor, spices, horses, and mules.
Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had one thousand four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, that he kept in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.
The king made silver as common as stones in Jerusalem, and cedars as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland.
The horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt. The king’s merchants received them in droves, each drove at a price.
A chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for one hundred fifty shekels; and so they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites, and to the kings of Syria.
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Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.
And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of gold went to one target.
And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold.
The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.
And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.
And all king Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.
And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.
And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore trees that are in the vale, for abundance.
And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means.
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beside that which came of the merchants, and of the traffic of the traders, and of all the kings of the mingled people and of the governors of the country.
And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of gold went to one target.
And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold: three pounds of gold went to one shield; and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the finest gold.
There were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was round behind; and there were arms on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms.
And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps; there was not the like made in any kingdom.
And all king Solomon's drinking-vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver; it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
For the king had at sea a navy of Tarshish with the navy of Hiram; once every three years came the navy of Tarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.
And all the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen; and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, that he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycamore-trees that are in the Lowland, for abundance.
And the horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt; also out of Keveh, the king's merchants buying them of the men of Keveh at a price.
And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty; and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Aram, did they bring them out by their means.
Cross-references (108)
- Deuteronomy 17:16 (vv26, 28) Only he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he may multiply horses; because…
- 2 Chronicles 9:25 (v26) Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, that he stationed in the chariot cities, and with…
- 1 Kings 22:48 (v22) Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they didn’t go; for the ships wrecked at Ezion Geber.
- 2 Chronicles 9:28 (v28) They brought horses for Solomon out of Egypt and out of all lands.
- 1 Kings 7:2 (vv17, 21) For he built the House of the Forest of Lebanon. Its length was one hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits,…
Show all 100 cross-references
- 1 Kings 3:12 (v24) behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart; so that there has been no one like you…
- 1 Kings 3:12-13 (v23) behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart; so that there has been no one like you…
- 1 Kings 3:28 (v24) All Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king; for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do…
- 1 Kings 4:26 (v26) Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
- 1 Kings 10:22 (v18) For the king had a fleet of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet. Once every three years the fleet of Tarshish came, bringing gold, silver,…
- Psalms 45:8 (v18) All your garments smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad.
- Isaiah 31:1-3 (v28) Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they…
- James 1:5 (v24) But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
- Psalms 72:10 (vv15, 22, 25) The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring tribute. The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
- Genesis 10:4 (v22) The sons of Javan were: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
- 1 Kings 3:9 (v24) Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge…
- 1 Kings 10:17 (v21) he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three minas of gold went to one shield; and the king put them in the House of the Forest of…
- 1 Kings 14:26-28 (v16) and he took away the treasures of Yahweh’s house, and the treasures of the king’s house. He even took away all of it, including all the…
- 2 Chronicles 20:36-37 (v22) He joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish. They made the ships in Ezion Geber. Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of…
- Psalms 48:7 (v22) With the east wind, you break the ships of Tarshish.
- Proverbs 2:6 (v24) For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
- Isaiah 36:9 (v28) How then can you turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master’s servants, and put your trust on Egypt for chariots and for…
- Daniel 1:17 (v24) Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and…
- Daniel 2:21 (v24) He changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings, and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have…
- Daniel 2:23 (v24) I thank you, and praise you, you God of my fathers, who have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we desired of…
- Revelation 20:11 (v18) I saw a great white throne, and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. There was found no place for them.
- Genesis 49:9 (v20) Judah is a lion’s cub. From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down, he crouched as a lion, as a lioness. Who will rouse him up?
- Numbers 24:9 (v20) He couched, he lay down as a lion, as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. Everyone who curses you is…
- Joshua 1:4 (v29) From the wilderness and this Lebanon even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea…
- 1 Kings 4:29-34 (v23) God gave Solomon abundant wisdom and understanding, and very great understanding, even as the sand that is on the seashore. Solomon’s…
- 1 Kings 9:19 (v26) all the storage cities that Solomon had, the cities for his chariots, the cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build…
- 1 Kings 22:39 (v18) Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he built, and all the cities that he built, aren’t they…
- 2 Kings 7:6-7 (v29) For the Lord had made the army of the Syrians to hear the sound of chariots, and the sound of horses, even the noise of a great army; and…
- 2 Chronicles 1:16-17 (v28) The horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt and from Kue. The king’s merchants purchased them from Kue. They brought up and…
- 2 Chronicles 9:21 (v22) For the king had ships that went to Tarshish with Huram’s servants. Once every three years, the ships of Tarshish came bringing gold,…
- 2 Chronicles 9:22-23 (v23) So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. All the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to…
- 2 Chronicles 12:9-10 (v16) So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem and took away the treasures of Yahweh’s house and the treasures of the king’s house. He…
- Esther 8:14 (v25) So the couriers who rode on royal horses went out, hastened and pressed on by the king’s commandment. The decree was given out in the…
- Job 42:11 (v25) Then came there to him all his brothers, and all his sisters, and all those who had been of his acquaintance before, and ate bread with him…
- Psalms 72:15 (v25) They shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba. Men shall pray for him continually. They shall bless him all day long.
- Proverbs 7:16 (v28) I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.
- Isaiah 2:16 (v22) for all the ships of Tarshish, and for all pleasant imagery.
- Isaiah 23:1 (v22) The burden of Tyre. Howl, you ships of Tarshish! For it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in. From the land of Kittim…
- Isaiah 23:6 (v22) Pass over to Tarshish! Wail, you inhabitants of the coast!
- Isaiah 23:10 (v22) Pass through your land like the Nile, daughter of Tarshish. There is no restraint any more.
- Isaiah 60:9 (v22) Surely the islands will wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your sons from far, their silver and their gold with them,…
- Isaiah 66:19 (v22) “I will set a sign among them, and I will send those who escape of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to…
- Isaiah 66:20 (v25) They shall bring all your brothers out of all the nations for an offering to Yahweh, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on…
- Daniel 5:11 (v24) There is a man in your kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father light and understanding and wisdom,…
- Amos 6:4 (v18) Who lie on beds of ivory, and stretch themselves on their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the middle of…
- Matthew 2:11 (v25) They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they…
- Ephesians 3:8 (v23) To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
- Colossians 1:18-19 (v23) He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the…
- Colossians 2:2-3 (v23) that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that…
- Hebrews 1:8 (v18) But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom.
- Revelation 18:12 (v18) merchandise of gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple, silk, scarlet, all expensive wood, every vessel of ivory, every…
- Genesis 36:24 (v25) These are the children of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. This is Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness, as he fed the donkeys of Zibeon…
- Genesis 41:42 (v28) Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain…
- Numbers 23:24 (v20) Behold, a people rises up as a lioness. As a lion he lifts himself up. He shall not lie down until he eats of the prey, and drinks the…
- Deuteronomy 17:17 (v27) He shall not multiply wives to himself, that his heart not turn away. He shall not greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
- Judges 3:15 (v25) But when the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up a savior for them: Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed…
- 1 Samuel 10:27 (v25) But certain worthless fellows said, “How could this man save us?” They despised him, and brought him no present. But he held his peace.
- 2 Samuel 8:2 (v25) He struck Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one…
- 2 Samuel 8:10 (v25) then Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him; for…
- 1 Kings 1:33 (v25) The king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride on my own mule, and bring him down to…
- 1 Kings 9:26 (v22) King Solomon made a fleet of ships in Ezion Geber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom.
- 1 Kings 10:10 (v25) She gave the king one hundred twenty talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again was there such…
- 1 Kings 10:18 (v22) Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the finest gold.
- 1 Kings 14:26 (v17) and he took away the treasures of Yahweh’s house, and the treasures of the king’s house. He even took away all of it, including all the…
- 1 Kings 18:5 (v25) Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land, to all the springs of water, and to all the brooks. Perhaps we may find grass and save the…
- 2 Kings 17:4 (v25) The king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea; for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and offered no tribute to the king of…
- 1 Chronicles 9:24 (v15) On the four sides were the gatekeepers, toward the east, west, north, and south.
- 2 Chronicles 1:14-17 (v26) Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen. He had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen that he placed in the…
- 2 Chronicles 1:15-17 (v27) The king made silver and gold to be as common as stones in Jerusalem, and he made cedars to be as common as the sycamore trees that are in…
- 2 Chronicles 9:13-14 (v15) Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred sixty-six talents of gold, in addition to that which the traders…
- 2 Chronicles 9:15-16 (v16) King Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold. Six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one buckler. He made three hundred…
- 2 Chronicles 9:17-19 (v18) Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold. There were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of…
- 2 Chronicles 9:20-22 (v21) All king Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. Silver was…
- 2 Chronicles 9:24 (v25) They each brought tribute, vessels of silver, vessels of gold, clothing, armor, spices, horses, and mules every year.
- 2 Chronicles 9:27 (v27) The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars to be as abundant as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland.
- 2 Chronicles 26:8 (v25) The Ammonites gave tribute to Uzziah. His name spread abroad even to the entrance of Egypt; for he grew exceedingly strong.
- Ezra 2:66 (v25) Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five;
- Esther 8:10 (v25) He wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by courier on horseback, riding on royal…
- Job 22:24-25 (v27) Lay your treasure in the dust, the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks. The Almighty will be your treasure, and precious silver to…
- Job 39:13 (v22) “The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; but are they the feathers and plumage of love?
- Psalms 45:6 (v18) Your throne, God, is forever and ever. A scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom.
- Psalms 89:27 (v23) I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
- Psalms 110:1 (v18) Yahweh says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.”
- Psalms 122:5 (v18) For there are set thrones for judgment, the thrones of David’s house.
- Isaiah 2:7 (v26) Their land is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures. Their land also is full of horses, neither is there any…
- Isaiah 19:9 (v28) Moreover those who work in combed flax, and those who weave white cloth, will be confounded.
- Isaiah 21:13 (v15) The burden on Arabia. In the forest in Arabia you will lodge, you caravans of Dedanites.
- Isaiah 36:16 (v25) Don’t listen to Hezekiah, for the king of Assyria says, ‘Make your peace with me, and come out to me; and each of you eat from his vine,…
- Ezekiel 27:6 (v18) They have made your oars of the oaks of Bashan. They have made your benches of ivory inlaid in cypress wood from the islands of Kittim.
- Ezekiel 27:7 (v28) Your sail was of fine linen with embroidered work from Egypt, that it might be to you for a banner. Blue and purple from the islands of…
- Ezekiel 27:12 (v22) “ ‘ “Tarshish was your merchant by reason of the multitude of all kinds of riches. They traded for your wares with silver, iron, tin, and…
- Ezekiel 27:14 (v25) “ ‘ “They of the house of Togarmah traded for your wares with horses, war horses, and mules.
- Amos 3:15 (v22) I will strike the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory will perish, and the great houses will have an end,” says…
- Jonah 1:3 (v22) But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of Yahweh. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid…
- Galatians 4:25 (v15) For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children.
100 distinct cross-references across this passage (108 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (17 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv15, 19, 22, 27, 28, 29 To wit, of Arabia, which for the great abundance…
To wit, of Arabia, which for the great abundance of all things was called Happy.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv15–29 1Ki 10:15 Beside [that he had] of the merchantmen,…
1Ki 10:15 Beside [that he had] of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.
Ver. 15. Besides that he had of the merchantmen] Or, Of the publicans and custom takers; Heb., Men that searched, or spied their opportunities of making the best of their commodities.
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And of the traffic of the spice merchants.] Far sweeter matter to make gain of than e lotio, as Vespasian; to whom dulcis erat odor lucri ex re qualibet.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29 Of the merchantmen, Heb. of the searchers, or spies,…
Of the merchantmen, Heb. of the searchers, or spies, i.e. either merchants, who use to inquire and search out commodities, and all advantages of trade; or rather, the publicans or gatherers of the king’s revenues, who used to search narrowly into all wares and dealings, that the king might not be defrauded of his rights.
Of the spice merchants, or rather, of the merchants in general, as that word is oft used in Eze 27, and elsewhere. So this and the former particular contain both the branches of the king’s revenue, what he had from the land and fruits thereof, and what he had from the merchants and traders in other commodities.
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Of all the kings of Arabia, to wit, of those parts of Arabia which were next to Canaan, which were either conquered by David, or submitted to pay tribute to Solomon. But we must not think all these to be kings of large dominions, but many of them only governors of cities, and the territories belonging to them, such as were formerly in Canaan, and were anciently called kings. Of the country, or, of the land, or, of that land, for there is an article in the Hebrew; i.e. either of the land of Canaan; or rather, of the land of Arabia; whereof some parts were so far conquered, that he had governors of his own over them, who were each of them to take care of the king’s revenue in his jurisdiction; and part only so far that they still had kings of their own, but such as were tributaries to him.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv15–28 Besides that he had of the merchantmen, and of…
Besides that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffic of the spice merchants,.... What they paid him as a duty or custom for the importation of their goods:
and of all the kings of Arabia; who were subject to him, and paid him a yearly tribute, or at least made presents, see Kg1 4:21.
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and of the governors of the country; who were viceroys or deputy governors of countries conquered by his father, and who collected tribute from the people, and paid it to him.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 28, 29 Merchant-men - Hebrew. of the searchers; either merchants, who…
Merchant-men - Hebrew. of the searchers; either merchants, who use to search out commodities: or, the gatherers of the king's revenues, who used to search narrowly into all wares, that the king might not be defrauded of his rights. Spice-merchants - Or rather, of the merchants in general, as the word is often used. So this and the former particular contain both the branches of the king's revenue, what he had from the land, and what he had from the merchants and traders. Kings - Of those parts of Arabia which were next to Canaan, which were either conquered by David, or submitted to pay tribute to Solomon. But we must not think all these to be kings of large dominions; many of them were only governors of cities, and the territories belonging to them, such as were formerly in Canaan, and were anciently called kings. The country - Or, of the land; the land of Arabia: whereof some parts were so far conquered, that he had governors of his own over them, who were each of them to take care of the king's revenue in his jurisdiction; and part only so far, that they still had kings of their own, but such as were tributaries to him.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv16, 17, 19, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 Verse 16. Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten…
Verse 16. Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold] I have already conjectured that the צנה tsinnah might resemble the Highland targe or target, with a dagger projecting from the UMBO or centre.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv15, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 29 1Ki 10:15. Besides that he had of the merchant-men…
1Ki 10:15. Besides that he had of the merchant-men — Who paid custom for the goods they brought from divers countries. Hebrew, מאנשׁי התרים, meanshee hattarim, from the men, the searchers. Merchants may be so called, because they search for commodities and articles of traffic. Or rather, the gatherers of the king’s revenues are intended, who used to search narrowly into all wares, that the king might not be defrauded of his rights. Of the traffic of the spice-merchants — Or rather, of the merchants in general, as the word רכלים, rochelim, is continually used; for there is no reason why it should be confined to those that traded in spices. Of all the kings of Arabia — Who sent him presents. We must not suppose that these in general were kings of large dominions; most of them were only rulers of cities, and the territories belonging to them, such as were formerly in Canaan, and were anciently called kings. And of the governors of the country — Or, of the land, namely, the land of Arabia; some parts of which were so far conquered, that he had governors of his own placed over them, each of whom was to take care of the king’s revenue in his jurisdiction; and some parts only so far, that they still had kings of their own, but such as were tributaries to him.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 There is no mention in the original of “spice…
There is no mention in the original of “spice merchants.” Two classes of traders are spoken of; but both expressions are general.
Kings of Arabia - Rather, “kings of the mingled people” (compare Jer 25:24). These were probably tribes half Jewish, half Arabian, on the borders of the western desert. They are regarded as Arabs by the author of Chronicles (marginal reference).
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Governors - The word used here is thought to be of Aryan origin. It appears to have been a title given by the Persians to petty governors, inferior to the great satraps of provinces. We find it borne by, among others, Tatnai Ezr 5:6, Zerubbabel Hag 1:1, and Nehemiah Neh 5:14. It can scarcely have been in use among the Jews so early as Solomon, and we must therefore suppose it to have been substituted by the writer of Kings for some corresponding Semitic title. The empire of Solomon was not a state governed from a single center by an organisation of satrapies or provinces (1Ki 4:21 note). But exceptionally, in some parts of the empire, the kings had been superseded by “governors” (compare 1Ki 20:24).
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29 Merchants: wholesale. (Menochius) --- Arabia, the desert, which was…
Merchants: wholesale. (Menochius) --- Arabia, the desert, which was peopled by various nations. Arab means, "a mixture, or assemblage," as well as "the night, and a fruitless country." Septuagint seem to have read abor, "all the kings of the other side" the Euphrates, who were also called Arabs. See chap. iv. 24. --- Country around Judea, comprising the Phylarchs of Arabia, (Genesis xvii. 20.) and the Philistine Satraps.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv16, 18, 22, 26 two hundred targets, six hundred shekels--These defensive arms were…
two hundred targets, six hundred shekels--These defensive arms were anciently made of wood and covered with leather; those were covered with fine gold. 600 shekels were used in the gilding of each target--300 for each shield. They were intended for the state armory of the palace (see Kg1 14:26).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 27, 28, 29 15. Merchantmen… spice merchants — The difference between the…
15. Merchantmen… spice merchants — The difference between the two is difficult to determine. The rendering, spice merchant is unauthorized by any thing in the original word. But here, perhaps, the two words are used in the general sense of wholesale and retail traffickers.
All the kings of Arabia — Whose provinces bordered upon the south of Palestine, and were tributary to the kingdom of Israel. Compare 2Ch_17:11 and Jer_25:25, where kings of Arabia and kings of the mingled people are associated, and designated by the same word.
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Governors — Prefects; another name for the officers described at chap. 1Ki_4:7. On the origin of the word, see note on 2Ki_18:34.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 15. beside that he had of the merchantmen] There…
15. beside that he had of the merchantmen] There are two kinds of traders specified in this verse, and the participle here used to describe the first signifies ‘those who go about’ with their goods, hawkers of their wares, which is a general characteristic of Oriental traffickers. Hence in R.V. the word chapmen has been adopted, and the clause a little differently worded. Literally it is, ‘beside (what came) from the men of the hawkers,’ and this is represented by ‘beside that which the chapmen brought,’ though the literal rendering shews that ‘brought’ might fairly have been printed in Roman and not in italics. The LXX. gives, apparently having read some other words in the original, ‘from the tribute of the subject people.’
and of the traffick of the spice merchants] A mistaken identification of the word descriptive of this second class of traders with a Syrian noun which means ‘a dealer in aromatic herbs’ has led to the rendering ‘spice merchants.’ The word merely implies another class of merchants, but whether more or less dignified than the former it is not easy to make out. The LXX. renders by ἒμπορος here and elsewhere, and gives here ‘the taxes on the merchants’. Render (as there is no preposition with this clause) and the traffick of the merchants.
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and of all the kings of Arabia] R.V. ‘and of all the kings of the mingled people.’ The word in the original, though it has the same consonants, has not the same vowels as the proper name. In this text we have הָעֶרֶב, while the other word is עֲרַב = Arabia. That the two are distinct designations is proved by Jer_25:24, where both occur in the same verse, ‘all the kings of Arabia and all the kings of the mingled people.’ The word in our text is used very early in the history of Israel (Exo_12:38) of ‘the mixed multitude’ which came up with the Israelites out of Egypt, and afterwards of people who were in a sort of loose attachment to the kingdom. (Cf. Jer_1:3-7.) In the parallel passage (2Ch_9:14) the Hebrew text has the ‘kings of Arabia,’ but the form of the sentence is somewhat altered, and the close connexion of the two sets of persons in the verse already quoted from Jeremiah makes it not unlikely that both were under a sort of tribute to Solomon. The LXX. has τῶν βασιλέων τοῦ πέραν, but the Vulgate ‘reges Arabiæ.’
and of the governors of the country] Most likely those officers are meant whose positions were described 1Ki_4:7-19. After the Oriental fashion such persons would pay for their posts by regular tribute to the king.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29 (15) The governors of the country.—The word “governor” (pechah)…
(15) The governors of the country.—The word “governor” (pechah) is supposed to be of foreign origin—possibly cognate to the Sanscrit word paksha “friend.” It is used constantly of foreign officers, or satraps: as in 1Ki_20:24, of the Syrian officers; in 2Ki_18:24 and Isa_36:9, of the Assyrians; in Jer_51:23, of the Babylonians; in Est_8:9, Neh_5:14; Neh_5:18; Neh_12:26, &c., of the Persians. Hence it would seem to be used here, not for the officers in the land of Israel described in 1 Kings 4, but for governors (Israelite or foreign) in tributary countries: and it may possibly be a word of later origin than the age of Solomon, introduced by the compiler of the book.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv15–29 Beside that he had of the marchantmen The root…
Beside that he had of the marchantmen The root rWT signifies to wander or travel about. In Num_13:16, Num_13:17, it is used of spies. It may here be applied to persons who travelled for purposes of trade; but the versions differ very materially in their rendering of the word; the LXX understanding it of tribute (twn forwn twn uJpotetagmenwn); the Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic of artizans; the Vulgate of ambassadors.
And the word is nowhere else used of traders. For the construction, see Ewald 287 e, and of the traffick it is noteworthy that no such word is used before above of the spice not in Hebrews merchants lkr; is akin to lgr Like the preceding word, the primary meaning is to go about (lgr, foot); hence, to trade. It is probable that Solomon"s great commercial enterprises were conducted for his own benefit, i.e., that the merchants were little more than agents, who bought and sold for the king. Such is the custom of Eastern kings (Kitto)), and of all the kings of Arabia brh is very variously interpreted. According to Gesenius it means foreigners, and he would understand "foreign kings who made an alliance with the Israelites," and so the Chaldee. Keil: "the kings of the mixed population" (mentioned Exo_12:38. Cf. Jer_50:37; Neh_13:3) Perhaps the words are best explained by Jer_25:24: "The kings of Arabia (br) and of the mingled people (br) that dwell in the desert," i.e., the desert of Arabia deserta, bordering on Palestine. The chronicler here gives us br i.e., not the Arabia of the geographers, but the tract of country south and east of Palestine, as far as the Red Sea (Gesenius). No doubt these kings, who were great sheepmasters, paid their tribute in flocks of sheep and goats (2Ch_17:11; 2Ki_3:4) and of the governors of the country. The word twOjp (cf. ch. 20:24) is a foreign word, perhaps Sanskrit, apparently borrowed by the Jews from the Persians. It is used of Tatnai, (Ezr_5:6) of Zerubbabel, (Hag_1:1) and of Nehemiah. (Neh_5:14) Probably our author, in whose day it was a familiar and well understood word, substituted it for some older Hebrew designation. But the office and character of these "governors" is more difficult to define than the name. Rawlinson thinks that, in some parts of the empire, the kings the "empire of Solomon," he observes, "was in the main a congeries of small kingdoms been superseded by governors." But it seems as natural to understand the term of the twelve prefects mentioned in chap. 4., who were "the governors of the land," or of similar officers in the different outposts of the kingdom. We know that the contributions which passed through their hands were furnished in kind; hence, perhaps, it is that this income is distinguished from the gold of ver. 14.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v22 The king had at sea a navy of Tharshish.
1Ki_10:22
The king had at sea a navy of Tharshish.
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The lessons of prosperity
The period of Solomons reign was the period of the greatest commercial, political, and intellectual splendour that Israel knew.
I. The advantages of a state of prosperity. Christians are sometimes disposed to look with suspicion on wealth and greatness. Lord Bacon said that prosperity was the blessing of the Old Testament, and adversity the blessing of the New Testament. But this aphorism may very easily be misunderstood. Prosperity is the blessing of the New Testament as much as it is of the Old. In its proper nature, in its legitimate influence, in its Divine design, prosperity must be regarded as a blessing. One of Emersons ancestors was in the habit of praying that none of his posterity might be rich. It is easy to imagine a man offering a prayer like that for his posterity, although it would be rather a shabby thing to do, but you will hardly find a sane man offering such a prayer for himself. Terrestrial prosperity is still one of Gods benedictions.
1. Prosperity is a blessing, as it widens the range of our physical enjoyments.
2. Prosperity is a blessing, as it gives freer play to mans intellectual powers, and renders possible a fuller intellectual life. Elihu Burritt laments that the English peasant is a blind painter, creating on the hillside glorious pictures in green and gold, but strangely insensible to the splendour he creates. Ruskin complains that few people ever look at the sky. Emerson writes ruefully that whilst he was strolling on the beach in raptures with the azure and spiritual seat the tanned fishermen had nothing to say to one another except, Hows fish? And most of our intellectual masters lash us for our neglect of the sights and sounds of a glorious creation.
3. Prosperity is a blessing, as it gives opportunity for the expression of highest character. Prosperity properly used, truly sanctified, brings character to its very highest and brightest manifestations. Humility is never more lovely than when it is clothed in scarlet; moderation is never more impressive than when it sits at banquets; simplicity is never more delightful than when it dwells amid magnificence; purity is never more divine than when its white robes are seen in palaces; gentleness and kindness are never more touching than when displayed by the great and powerful.
4. Prosperity is a blessing, as it enables us to act out more frilly our noblest aspirations. It is quite true that many who promise large things when their ship of gold comes in, nevertheless on the arrival of that gallant bark forthwith put the whole cargo into bonded stores, but noble souls rejoice exceedingly to find their power increased to glorify God in the service of humanity.
II. The perils of a state of prosperity. It has its perils to a nation. The ships of Solomon brought ruin; so did the ships of Carthage, of Greece, of Rome; so did the rich argosies of Spain. The other day in Whitby they showed me the ruins of the grand old Abbey. On the south aspect the wall is much more dilapidated than on the north, showing, it would seem, that the light of the sun had been more destructive than all the wild storms of the North Sea. So the sun of prosperity has often proved more fatal to empire than the bitterest tempests of danger and want and conflict. There is plenty of morbid matter everywhere, and the sun of prosperity soon develops it disastrous|y enough. Prosperity has its perils to the individual. It is said that birds of paradise are often captured through their becoming intoxicated with the spice forests on which they alight, and we have all seen fine men and women, with the light of heaven in their eye and the beauty of holiness in their life, fall miserable victims to prosperity. Some rich men degenerate fearfully, so do some popular men. On the American prairies travellers are sometimes brought to a standstill through the wheels of their chariots becoming locked by the flowers which grow there so profusely; and many a noble pilgrim to heaven has been hindered, brought to a fatal halt, by the golden and purple flowers of fortune which Heaven, in its goodness, had made to spring in his path. The lower good may destroy the higher good; as a man becomes richer in gold he may become poorer in faith, in virtue, in charity, in hope. Christianity gives us a social ideal of prime interest and efficacy. The curse of the old civilisations was selfishness. I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards, etc. (Ecc_2:4-9). The Is stand up like a regiment of Grenadiers. Here was the curse of the old nations, in the flush of their power and prosperity. Here is the curse of much of the prosperity of to-day. Selfishness is the rock on which rich argosies suffer shipwreck, the rock on which the grandeur of nations and the happiness of men go to pieces. Christ changes the I into we, the my into our. Christianity brings us the larger measure of moral power. (W. L. Watkinson.)
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The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv16, 18, 21, 23, 26, 28 King Solomon made
King Solomon made
It might be best to translate so that the reader understands that other people helped Solomon do this. AT: "King Solomon's men made" (See: Synecdoche)
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two hundred large shields
"200 large shields" (See: Numbers)
Six hundred shekels of gold
A shekel is a unit of weight equal to about 11 grams. AT: "About 6.6 kilograms of gold" or "Six and one half kilograms of gold" (See: Biblical Weight)
Six hundred shekels
Because the word "shekels" does not appear here in the Hebrew text, some modern versions assume instead the unit of bekah, which was equivalent to only a half shekel. Any version making this assumption would signal a metric equivalent of about three kilograms.
He also made
It might be best to translate so that the reader understands that other people helped Solomon do this. AT: "The king's men also made" (See: Synecdoche)
three hundred shields
"300 shields" (See: Numbers)
Three minas of gold
A mina is a unit of weight equal to about 550 grams. AT: "About 1.7 kilograms of gold" or "One and three-quarters kilograms of gold" (See: Biblical Weight)
the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon
"the house called the House of the Lebanon Forest." See how you translated this in 1 Kings 7:2.
translationWords
shield
palace
Lebanon
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv16, 18, 22, 26, 28 10:16-17 Although such shields were typically designed to accommodate…
10:16-17 Although such shields were typically designed to accommodate infantry (large shields) or archers (smaller shields), these shields probably had ceremonial uses.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.