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 and merchants brought. All the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon. King Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold. Six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one buckler. He made three hundred shields of beaten gold. Three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. 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 pure gold. There were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and 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. There was nothing like it made in any other 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. Silver was not considered valuable in the days of Solomon. For the king had ships that went to Tarshish with Huram’s servants. Once every three years, the ships of Tarshish came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv15, 16, 18, 21 Which sum mounteth to 2400 crowns of the sun,…
Which sum mounteth to 2400 crowns of the sun, Budeus De Asse.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv13, 14, 17, 18, 19 2Ch 9:13 Now the weight of gold that came…
2Ch 9:13 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold;
Ver. 13. Now the weight.] See 1Ki 10:14.
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 Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v13 We have here Solomon in his throne, and Solomon…
We have here Solomon in his throne, and Solomon in his grave; for the throne would not secure him from the grave. Mors sceptra ligonibus aequat - Death wrenches from the hand the sceptre as well as the spade.
I. Here is Solomon reigning in wealth and power, in ease and fulness, such as, for aught I know, could never since be paralleled by any king whatsoever. In cannot pretend to be critical in comparing the grandeur of Solomon with that of some of the great princes of the earth. But I may observe that the most illustrious of them were famed for their wars, whereas Solomon reigned forty years in profound peace. Some of those that might be thought to vie with Solomon affected retirement, kept people in awe by keeping them at a great distance; nobody must see them, or come near him, upon pain of death: but Solomon went much abroad, and appeared in public business. So that, all things considered, the promise was fulfilled, that God would give him riches, and wealth, and honour, such as no kings have had, or shall have, Ch2 1:12. 1. Never any prince appeared in public with great splendour than Solomon did, which to those that judge by the sight of the eye, as most people do, would very much recommend him. He had 200 targets and 300 shields, all of beaten gold, carried before him (Ch2 9:15, Ch2 9:16), and sat upon a most stately throne, Ch2 9:17-19. There was not the like in any kingdom. The lustre wherein he appeared was typical of the spiritual glory of the kingdom of the Messiah and but a faint representation of his throne, which is above every throne. Solomon's pomp was all artificial; and therefore our Saviour prefers the natural beauty of the lilies of the field before it. Mat 6:29, Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these. 2. Never any prince had greater plenty of gold and silver, though there were no gold or silver mines in his own kingdom. Either he made himself master of the mines in other countries, and, having a populous country, sent hands to dig out those rich metals, or, having a fruitful country, he exported the commodities of it and with them fetched home all this gold that is here spoken of, Ch2 9:13, Ch2 9:14-21. 3. Never any prince had such presents brought him by all his neighbours as Solomon had: All the kings of Arabia, and governors of the country, brought him gold and silver (Ch2 9:14), not as tribute which he extorted from them, but as freewill offerings to procure his favour, or in a way of exchange for some of the productions of his husbandry, corn or cattle. All the kings of the earth brought him presents, that is, all in those parts of the world (Ch2 9:24, Ch2 9:28), because they coveted his acquaintance and friendship. Herein he was a type of Christ, to whom, as soon as he was born, the wise men of the east brought presents, gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Mat 2:11), and to whom all that are about him must bring presents, Psa 76:11; Rom 12:1. 4. Never any prince was so renowned for wisdom, so courted, so consulted, so admired (Ch2 9:23): The kings of the earth (for it was too great a favour for common persons to pretend to) sought to hear his wisdom - his natural philosophy, or his skill in physic, or his state policy, or his rules of prudence for the conduct of human life, or perhaps the principles of his religion, and the reasons of it. The application which they then made to Solomon to hear his wisdom will aggravate, shame, and condemn, men's general contempt of Christ and his gospel. Though in them are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, yet none of the princes of this world desire to know them, for they are foolishness to them, Co1 2:8, Co1 2:14.
Read full note →
II. Here is Solomon dying, stripped of his pomp, and leaving all his wealth and power, not to one concerning whom he knew not whether he would be a wise man or a fool (Ecc 2:19), but who he knew would be a fool. This was not only vanity but vexation of spirit, Ch2 9:29-31. It is very observable that no mention is here made of Solomon's departure from God in his latter days, not the least hint given of it, 1. Because the Holy Ghost would teach us not to take delight in repeating the faults and follies of others. If those that have been in reputation for wisdom and honour misbehave, though it may be of use to take notice of their misconduct for warning to ourselves and others, yet we must not be forward to mention it, once the speaking of it is enough; why should that unpleasing string be again struck upon? Why can we not do as the sacred historian here does, speak largely of that in others which is praise-worthy, without saying any thing of their blemishes, yea, though they have been gross and obvious? This is but doing as we would be done by. 2. Because, though he fell, yet he was not utterly cast down. His sin is not again recorded, because it was repented of, and pardoned, and became as if it had never been. Scripture-silence sometimes speaks. I am willing to believe that its silence here concerning the sin of Solomon is an intimation that none of the sins he committed were mentioned against him, Eze 33:16. When God pardons sin he casts it behind his back and remembers it no more.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv14, 15, 17, 21 Verse 14. The kings of Arabia] "The kings of…
Verse 14. The kings of Arabia] "The kings of Sistevantha." - Targum.
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 v18 2Ch 9:18. With a footstool of gold — This…
2Ch 9:18. With a footstool of gold — This is not mentioned in the parallel passage in 1Ki 10:18, where see the note.
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, 18 Comparing 1Ki 10:16-17, it follows from the two passages…
Comparing 1Ki 10:16-17, it follows from the two passages together that the “pound of gold” was equal to 100 shekels.
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 vv13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21 Gold, each worth 5475l. (Arbuthnot) so that this part…
Gold, each worth 5475l. (Arbuthnot) so that this part of the revenue alone would amount to 3,646,350l. sterling, annually. (Haydock)
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 vv13, 21 HIS RICHES. (2Ch. 9:13-28)
HIS RICHES. (2Ch. 9:13-28)
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year--(See on 1Ki. 10:14-29).
Read full note →
six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold--The sum named is equal to £3,646,350; and if we take the proportion of silver (Ch2 9:14), which is not taken into consideration, at one to nine, there would be about £200,000, making a yearly supply of nearly £6,000,000, being a vast amount for an infant effort in maritime commerce [NAPIER].
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22 13–28 (= 1Ki_10:14-28). Solomon’s Greatness
13–28 (= 1Ki_10:14-28). Solomon’s Greatness
13. six hundred and threescore and six] This may be called a “round” number, for a system of counting based on the number six was known in ancient times, e.g. among the Assyrians.
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 vv13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22 (b) SOLOMON’S INCOME, SPLENDOUR, AND DOMINION—(2Ch_9:13-28). Comp. 1Ki_10:14-29, and…
(b) SOLOMON’S INCOME, SPLENDOUR, AND DOMINION—(2Ch_9:13-28). Comp. 1Ki_10:14-29, and 1Ki_4:26-27.
(13) Now the weight of gold.—See 1Ki_10:14, with which this verse coincides.
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 vv13, 14, 15, 17, 20, 21, 22 Gold and silver.
Vers. 13-20, 27.
Gold and silver.
Read full note →
The chronicler who records these events of Solomon"s reign dwells upon the abundance of gold and silver as one who takes a delight in his story. And there was something in which to triumph, if not to rejoice; for it spoke of a certain excellency and strength which has its own value. But what was (or is) the value of it? We may consider the extent to which the plentifulness of silver and gold is
I A SOURCE OF PRESENT GRATIFICATION. Undoubtedly Solomon, his courtiers, and his subjects did find a pleasure in the fact that all these objects were "of beaten gold," that gold and silver met their eye everywhere. At first that pleasure may have been keen enough. But it was one of those joys that pall and pass with time; familiarity with it made it to lose its charm; it must have become less delightful as it became more common, until it became literally true that "it was not anything accounted of" (ver. 20). Splendid surroundings are pleasurable enough at first, but their virtue fades with the passing years and even with the fleeting months; and it is not long before that which seemed so brilliant and promised so much enjoyment is "not accounted of" at all.
II A LASTING ENRICHMENT. Abundance of material wealth often proves a transient good. In the nation it becomes a prey for the spoiler, a temptation to the neighbouring power that can come up with a victorious army and go back with a well-stored treasury. (see 1Ki_14:25, 1Ki_14:26) In the man it often allures the fraudulent adventurer and becomes his possession. No one can be sure that he will hold what he has gained. "Securities" are excellent things in their way, but they go down before some of the forces which no finite power can control.
III A REAL ENLARGEMENT. Great wealth does not go far to enrich a nation when it does nothing more for it than provide targets and shields, drinking-vessels and ivory thrones overlaid with gold with golden footstools: nothing more than multiply splendours about the royal palace. When it promotes healthful and remunerative activities among the people, when it facilitates and quickens the expenditure of profitable labour in agriculture, in seamanship, in manufacture, in art, in literature, in worship, then it is really and truly serviceable. So with individual men. Wealth that only ministers to luxury does very little good to its owner. But when it enables a man to put forth mental and physical powers that otherwise would slumber for lack of opportunity, when it stimulates to worthy and elevating enterprise, when it opens the door of usefulness and helpfulness, then it is a blessing indeed, a real and true enlargement.
1. A SPIRITUAL PERIL. Serious and strong indeed are the Master"s. (Mar_10:23-25) But they are amply verified by human history, both national and individual. Wealth tends to luxury; luxury to indulgence; indulgence to deterioration; deterioration to ruin. Much gold and silver may be attractive enough; but they need to be well fortified with sacred principles who would stand the test of them, and be quite unscathed by them.
2. PICTORIAL OF A WEALTH THAT IS TRUER AND BETTER. t is possible to be endowed with those resources that make rich and that add no sorrow thereto; it is possible to be "rich toward God;" to have treasures within our keeping which the strong thief of time has no power to steal. These are to be had of the ascended Lord. He counsels us to buy of himself "gold tried in the fire, that we may be rich." Of him we may gain the riches of a reverence that ennobles, a faith that saves, a love that blesses and beautifies, a hope that strengthens and sustains, a joy that "satisfies and sanctifies" the soul. C.
Vers. 13-31.
The glory of Solomon.
I THE VASTNESS OF HIS WEALTH. (Vers. 13, 14, 21, 24.)
1. Its sources.
(1) The contributions of merchants and traders towards the imperial revenues (ver. 14);
(2) the presents of kings and governors in Arabia and elsewhere; and
(3) the cargoes brought by his fleets from Ophir yearly (ver. 10), and from Tartessus, or Tarsus, in Spain, every three years (ver. 21).
1. Its amount. 666 talents of gold per annum, not reckoning the silver as abundant as stones (ver. 27). Estimating a talent at sterling, the gold would reach the immense total of sterling per annum.
2. Its use. It was employed:
(1) In making state shields 200 larger, to each of which 600 shekels of gold were devoted; and 300 smaller, to each of which 300 shekels were assigned. The shields, probably made of wood and covered with gold instead of leather, were hung in Solomon"s palace, "the house of the forest of Lebanon", (1Ki_7:2) where they remained until plundered by Shishak (2Ch_12:9; 1Ki_14:26)
(2) In fashioning a state throne, made of ivory and overlaid with pure gold (ver. 17); i.e. the woodwork, not the ivory, was covered with the metal. The throne had six steps and a golden footstool (ver. 18); each step had on either side a lion, probably of cast metal gilded. On each side of the seat was an arm or stay, beside which sat another lion. Thus there were in all fourteen gilt lions. No wonder the historian adds, "there was nothing like it in any kingdom." Yet many modern thrones surpass it in splendour.
(3) In constructing state cups or drinking-vessels for the palace. All were made of pure gold gold of Ophir, Tarshish, or Parvaim; "not one of silver, which was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
4. Its credibility. The above account is rendered trustworthy by comparing it with well-known recorded facts. "When Nineveh was besieged, Sardanapalus had 150 golden bedsteads, 150 golden tables, 1, 000, 000 talents of gold, ten times as much silver, while 3000 talents had been previously distributed among his sons. No less than 7170 talents of gold were used for the statues and vessels of the temple of Bel in Babylon. Alexander"s pillage of Ecbatana was valued at 120, 000 talents of gold; Cyrus"s pillage was 34, 000 pounds of gold and 500, 000 petards of silver, besides an immense number of golden vessels" (Bahr, in loco, Lange"s series).
II THE EXCELLENCE OF HIS WISDOM. (Vers. 22, 23.) Solomon"s wisdom was excellent in respect of:
1. Origin. It was God-inspired. All wisdom proceeds from the same source, (Job_32:8) and "a man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven"; (Joh_3:27) but in Solomon"s case wisdom was a specialendowment. (2Ch_1:12)
1. Measure. Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in the quantity as well as quality of his wisdom not easy to do. The Queen of Sheba was a proof that royal personages in that era were not fools; while the monumental histories of Egypt and Assyria have revealed the existence of wise and powerful princes long before Solomon. There were brave men before Agamemnon.
2. Manifestation. Solomon"s wisdom expressed itself in a variety of ways: in temple-building and other architectural undertakings; in the pronouncing of judgments and the utterance of apothegms; in the acquisition of knowledge, and more especially of natural history; and in literary compositions both prosaic and poetical. (1Ki_4:29-33)
3. Fame. It spread abroad through all countries, and attracted kings and queens to his court to hear his oracular utterances and make trial of his insight, as well as to gaze upon the splendour of his court and the magnificence of his person. (1Ki_4:34)
III THE EXTENT OF HIS EMPIRE. (Ver. 26.)
1. Its eastern boundary the Syrian desert, in which Tadmor or Palmyra was situated.
2. Its western the Mediterranean, or, more correctly, Phoenicia and the country of the Philistines, with the strip of Mediterranean coast between.
3. Its northern the river the Euphrates, in its upper reaches, from Tiphsah, or Thapsacus, a large and populous town on the west bank, a place where armies crossed over the stream, and where was a quay for landing and shipping wares coming from or going to Babylon (Winer, 2. p. 612).
4. Its southern the border of Egypt. (1Ki_4:24) Within these limits he either exercised sovereign power directly, as over his own subjects in Palestine, or indirectly through receiving tribute from the reigning kings who expressed their fealty to him by bringing, year by year, every man his present vessels of silver and vessels of gold and raiment, harness and spices, horses and mules (ver. 24).
IV THE DURATION OF HIS REIGN. (Ver. 30.) Forty years.
1. A great privilege. Long life a mark of special favour under the old dispensation; (Pro_3:16) under the new, a valuable blessing to those who enjoy it. (Eph_6:2)
2. A large opportunity. Life not for personal enjoyment merely, but for religious and philanthropic activity. A long life means a long time for doing good. What benefits Solomon might have conferred upon his people during that extended period!
3. A high responsibility. "To whomsoever much is given," etc. That Solomon did less than he might with his great wisdom, vast riches, immense power, extended fame, and protracted life, entailed upon him deeper guilt.
4. An evident mercy. Considering the bad use Solomon made of his numerous years, declining in his old age through love of women into debasing idolatries, (1Ki_11:1-8) it was a proof of the Divine patience and long-suffering that he was not earlier cut off.
V THE CLOSE OF HIS CAREER. (Vers. 29, 31.)
1. His biography was written by the hand of prophets. (Ver. 29.) Nathan the prophet, who bad announced his birth to David (2Sa_7:12-14; 1Ch_17:11) and who had called him, when a child, Jedidiah, "Beloved of the Lord", (2Sa_12:25) in all probability began it; Ahijah the Shilonite (i.e. inhabitant of, or prophet from, Shilo, an
2. Ephraimite town), who predicted the division of the kingdom, (1Ki_11:29) it may be supposed, carried it on; and Iddo the seer, a contemporary of Rehoboam and Jeroboam; (2Ch_12:15 2Ch_13:22) finished it. Being prophets of the Lord, these writers would "nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice," but would deliver "a plain unvarnished tale" of the great monarch"s acts and words, of his wise speeches and foolish deeds.
3. His corpse was buried in the tomb of his father. (Ver. 31.) It was well that he had a tomb to lie in; better men than he have had none. He had sat upon his father"s throne, worn his father"s crown, extended his father"s kingdom, improved upon his father"s vices, declined from his father"s piety; now his lifeless dust was consigned to rest in his father"s sepulchre.
4. His throne was filled by his own son. No man likes to be succeeded by a stranger. It must have been a comfort to the old monarch that Rehoboam was to wear his crown.
Learn:
1. The vanity of earthly glory the magnificence of Solomon unequal tothe raiment of a lily. (Mat_6:29)
2. The worthlessness of all earthly things without religion: Solomon hadeverything that could satisfy ambition, and yet he declined from the worship of Jehovah; (Mat_19:20)
3. The certainty of death: if a Solomon could not evade the king of terrors,how shall common men? W. (Ecc_8:8)
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 v21 And apes, and peacocks.
2Ch_9:21
And apes, and peacocks.
Read full note →
Apes and peacocks
(to children):--We learn from this passage--
I. That a rich man can get, as far as worldly goods are concerned, almost what he likes in this world.
II. What even wise men will do, when they have more money than they know how to use. Such was Solomons position; apes and peacocks were costly, and so he had a special desire to have s goodly number about him. (D. Davies.)
Apes
I. The ape is something like us, and yet he is very much unlike us.
1. He cannot speak.
2. He cannot learn.
3. He has no foresight or forethought. It is wonderful how deceptive appearances can be.
II. The ape is only a caricature of a man, and does not imitate him in his better movements or habits; so you generally find that if a child or man apes another, he apes him only in his failings. I saw a boy the other day, who could not have been more than eleven, vigorously puffing the end of a cigar that he had picked up somewhere. He evidently thought he looked like a man, but I need not tell you how disgusted I felt, and wished that he could imitate the man in a more manly way. He stupidly aped a gentleman whose failing was that he smoked at all. Learn to be natural. Let the one desire of your life be to be true. Never put on a false look or try to live under false pretences. (D. Davies.)
Peacocks
The peacock has a beautiful tail, and in this respect no bird can match him. But the more you know about him the less you think of his tail. He can only screech hideously when he tries to sing. He is also a very gluttonous and a very selfish and destructive character. The beautiful bird has nothing to commend it except its beautiful feathers. Its characteristic failing is vanity.
I. I want you to remember that there are some people in the world like that peacock. Everything depends upon their dress, or their outward appearance. But if you get to know their disposition and their conduct, you will very often cease to be charmed with their dress.
II. I want you to guard yourselves against attaching too much importance to appearances. God does not. Learn that the truest ornament is a meek and gentle spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price. (D. Davies.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v13 The Immense Wealth of Solomon and his Death
The Immense Wealth of Solomon and his Death
v. 13. Now, the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold (almost $20,000,000),
Read full note →
v. 14. beside that which chapmen, traders, especially such as establish commercial connections with new territories, and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia, the mighty and wealthy sheikhs of the various tribes of the peninsula, and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon, as presents showing their good will.
v. 15. And King Solomon made two hundred targets, a special kind of shield, of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one target (approximately $2,000 worth).
v. 16. And three hundred shields, of a smaller size, made he of beaten gold; three hundred shekels of gold, or three full pounds, 1Ki 10:17, went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon, the great armory just before his palace.
v. 17. Moreover, the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold.
v. 18. And there were six steps to the throne, leading up to the seat itself, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays, arm-rests, on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays;
v. 19. and twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps. There was not the like, for uniqueness and costliness, made in any kingdom.
v. 20. And all the drinking vessels of King Solomon were of gold, and an the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver; it was not anything accounted of in the days of Solomon, being so plentiful and so common that it lost its value as a precious metal.
v. 21. For the king’s ships, the navy on the Mediterranean Sea, went to Tarshish, the rich mining region of Spain, with the servants of Huram; every three years once came the ships of Tarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, in the form of elephants’ tusks, and apes, and peacocks. The words may also be construed as referring to Tarshish-ships, large vessels built for ocean trade, such as were sent out from Ezion-gaber and Elath.
v. 22. And King Solomon passed all the kings of the earth, of all the countries known at that time, in riches and wisdom.
v. 23. And all the kings of the earth, those in the world as known then, sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom that God had put in his heart.
v. 24. And they brought every man his present, showing their good will and regard, vessels of silver and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses and mules, a rate year by year, the bringing of these gifts being made an annual affair.
v. 25. And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, for a total of forty thousand horses, 1Ki 4:26, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.
v. 26. And he reigned over all the kings from the river, that is, from the Euphrates, even unto the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt, all the kingdoms and tribes in that entire region being tributary to his kingdom at that time.
v. 27. And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones, so common and therefore comparatively low in value, and cedar-trees made he as the sycomore-trees that are in the low plains in abundance, 2Ch 1:15; 1Ki 10:27.
v. 28. And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt and out of all lands, 1Ki 10:28. So Solomon undoubtedly carried the Hebrew kingdom to its highest pinnacle of worldly glory and power, and his centralizing of the worship served to unify the nation as never before or after. At the same time, however, the luxury introduced by him served to enervate the people and to have a bad influence on the character of the entire nation.
v. 29. Now, the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the Book of Nathan, the prophet, and in the Prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the Visions of Iddo, the seer, against Jeroboam, the son of Nebat? It seems that the inspired writer drew from these accounts for his information, being guided herein by the Holy Spirit, the real Author of the Bible.
v. 30. And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.
v. 31. And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the City of David, his father, in the place afterward known as the sepulchers of the kings; and Rehoboam, his son, reigned in his stead. All the wealth, honor, and wisdom of this world is vain and vanishing. The safest thing is to place one’s trust in the Word and promises of God, faith in which will carry each believer through death into eternal life beyond.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv13, 15, 17, 19, 22 in one year
in one year
Possible meanings are 1) this refers to each year or 2) this refers to a particular year.
Read full note →
666 talents of gold
A talent is a unit of weight equal to about 33 kilograms. You may convert this to a modern measure. AT: "about twenty-two thousand kilograms of gold" or "about twenty-two metric tons of gold" (See: Biblical Weight and Numbers)
translationWords
gold
Arabia
govern
silver
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 vv13, 15, 17, 21 9:13-14 The phrase translated each year can also refer…
9:13-14 The phrase translated each year can also refer to one particular year, making it unclear whether 25 tons referred to Solomon’s annual income or only to his most profitable year. Solomon also collected taxes from foreign traders and local merchants. The kings of Arabia were probably merchant princes who used the routes from Edom to Damascus, while the governors of the provinces were district officials.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.