King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield. King SolomonKing Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, is renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the First Temple in Jerusalem. His reign is often seen as the pinnacle of Israel's united monarchy. Solomon's name in Hebrew, "Shlomo," is derived from "shalom," meaning peace, reflecting the peaceful and prosperous nature of his reign. His leadership is a testament to the blessings of God when a ruler seeks divine wisdom and understanding. made
The act of making or crafting in ancient times was a significant endeavor, often involving skilled artisans and laborers. The Hebrew word used here, "asah," implies not just creation but also the careful planning and execution of a task. This reflects Solomon's commitment to excellence and the grandeur of his kingdom, as he sought to display the wealth and splendor that God had bestowed upon Israel. two hundred large shields
The shields mentioned are not merely functional military equipment but are also symbols of status and power. In the ancient Near East, shields were often used in ceremonial contexts and displayed in palaces as a sign of strength and protection. The number "two hundred" signifies abundance and completeness, indicating the vast resources at Solomon's disposal. of hammered gold
Gold, a precious metal, symbolizes wealth, purity, and divine favor. The process of hammering gold into shields would have required immense skill and craftsmanship, highlighting the advanced state of Israelite artisanship under Solomon's rule. Gold's enduring value and beauty make it a fitting material for objects meant to convey the glory and majesty of Solomon's kingdom. six hundred shekels of gold
A shekel was a standard unit of weight in ancient Israel, and six hundred shekels represent a substantial amount of gold. This detail underscores the immense wealth that Solomon accumulated, as well as the lavishness of his court. The specific mention of "six hundred" may also have symbolic significance, as numbers in the Bible often carry deeper meanings related to completeness and divine order. went into each shield
The phrase indicates the careful allocation of resources and the intentionality behind each shield's creation. It suggests that Solomon's wealth was not squandered but used purposefully to enhance the kingdom's prestige. This meticulous attention to detail reflects the broader biblical principle of stewardship, where resources are managed wisely for the glory of God and the benefit of His people. Persons / Places / Events 1. King SolomonThe son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon is renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. His reign is often seen as a high point in Israel's history. 2. Large ShieldsThese shields were made of hammered gold, signifying wealth and splendor. They were likely used for ceremonial purposes rather than practical warfare. 3. GoldA symbol of wealth and divine blessing in the ancient Near East. The use of gold in Solomon's shields reflects the prosperity of his kingdom. 4. ShekelsAn ancient unit of weight and currency. The use of six hundred shekels of gold per shield indicates the immense wealth and resources available to Solomon. 5. JerusalemThe capital city of Israel, where Solomon's palace and the Temple were located. It was the political and spiritual center of the nation. Teaching Points The Danger of MaterialismSolomon's wealth, while a sign of God's blessing, also serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for material wealth to lead one's heart away from God. Symbolism of GoldGold in the Bible often symbolizes purity and divine presence. However, it can also become an idol if it takes precedence over spiritual values. God's Provision and BlessingSolomon's wealth was a fulfillment of God's promise to bless Israel. It reminds us that all good things come from God and should be used for His glory. The Importance of WisdomDespite his wealth, Solomon is most renowned for his wisdom. This highlights the biblical principle that wisdom is more valuable than material riches. Legacy and InfluenceSolomon's reign is remembered for its prosperity and splendor, but also for the seeds of division and idolatry that would later affect Israel. Our actions and priorities can have long-lasting impacts. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Solomon's accumulation of wealth and gold shields reflect both God's blessing and a potential spiritual danger? Consider Deuteronomy 17:16-17 in your response. 2. In what ways can material wealth become a distraction from our spiritual priorities today? How can we guard against this? 3. How does the symbolism of gold in the Bible inform our understanding of its use in Solomon's reign? Reflect on how this symbolism applies to our lives. 4. What lessons can we learn from Solomon's wisdom and wealth about the true source of our security and contentment? 5. How can we ensure that our legacy, like Solomon's, is one that honors God and positively influences future generations? Consider connections to Matthew 6:19-21. Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 10:14-29This passage provides context for Solomon's wealth and the grandeur of his kingdom, including his accumulation of gold and other riches. 2 Chronicles 9:15-16A parallel account of Solomon's wealth and the making of the gold shields, emphasizing the prosperity of his reign. Deuteronomy 17:16-17These verses warn Israelite kings against accumulating excessive wealth and horses, which can lead to pride and reliance on material wealth rather than God. Matthew 6:19-21Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth, providing a New Testament perspective on wealth and material possessions. People Arabians, Aram, Hiram, Hittites, Ophir, Solomon, Tarshish, TharshishPlaces Egypt, House of the Forest of Lebanon, Jerusalem, Kue, Ophir, Sheba, Shephelah, Syria, TarshishTopics Alloyed, Applied, Beaten, Bekas, Body-covers, Buckler, Bucklers, Gold, Hammered, Hundred, Large, Maketh, Shekels, Shield, Shields, Six, Solomon, Target, Targets, UsingDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 10:14-21 5211 art 1 Kings 10:14-22 4303 metals 1 Kings 10:16-17 5527 shield
5615 weights 1 Kings 10:16-21 5437 palaces Library Coming to the King.
"And King Solomon gave unto the Queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty."--1 Kings x. 13. The beautiful history recorded in the chapter from which the above words are quoted is deeply instructive to those who have learned to recognise CHRIST in the Scriptures. The reference to this narrative by our LORD Himself was surely designed to draw our attention to it, and gives it an added interest. The blessings, too, received by the Queen …
J. Hudson Taylor—A Ribband of BlueA Royal Seeker after Wisdom
'And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions. 2. And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. 3. And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not. 4. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Gift
"There came no more such abundance of spices as those which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon."--1 Kings x. 10. Mechthild of Hellfde, 1277. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 "What dost thou bring me, O my Queen? Love maketh thy steps to fly." Lord, to Thee my jewel I bring, Greater than mountains high; Broader than all the earth's broad lands, Heavier than the ocean sands, And higher it is than the sky: Deeper it is than the depths of the sea, And fairer than the sun, Unreckoned, as if the stars …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series) Of the Weight of Government; and that all Manner of Adversity is to be Despised, and Prosperity Feared.
So much, then, have we briefly said, to shew how great is the weight of government, lest whosoever is unequal to sacred offices of government should dare to profane them, and through lust of pre-eminence undertake a leadership of perdition. For hence it is that James affectionately deters us, saying, Be not made many masters, my brethren (James iii. 1). Hence the Mediator between God and man Himself--He who, transcending the knowledge and understanding even of supernal spirits, reigns in heaven …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Meditations of the Blessed State of the Regenerate Man after Death.
This estate has three degrees:--1st, From the day of death to the resurrection; 2d, From the resurrection to the pronouncing of the sentence; 3d, After the sentence, which lasts eternally. As soon as ever the regenerate man hath yielded up his soul to Christ, the holy angels take her into their custody, and immediately carry her into heaven (Luke xvi. 22), and there present her before Christ, where she is crowned with a crown of righteousness and glory; not which she hath deserved by her good works, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety There is a Blessedness in Reversion
Blessed are the poor in spirit. Matthew 5:3 Having done with the occasion, I come now to the sermon itself. Blessed are the poor in spirit'. Christ does not begin his Sermon on the Mount as the Law was delivered on the mount, with commands and threatenings, the trumpet sounding, the fire flaming, the earth quaking, and the hearts of the Israelites too for fear; but our Saviour (whose lips dropped as the honeycomb') begins with promises and blessings. So sweet and ravishing was the doctrine of this …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of Joseph and Solomon.
In the Old Testament there are numerous references to the Second Coming of Christ, references both direct and typical, but in every instance it was His return to the earth which was in view. The secret coming of Christ into the air, to catch up the saints to Himself, was an event quite unknown to the Old Testament prophets, an event kept secret until revealed by God to the apostle Paul who, when writing to the Corinthians upon this particular aspect of our subject, said, "Behold, I show you a mystery …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return "Let any Man Come. "
[7] "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."--John 7:37-38. THE text which heads this paper contains one of those mighty sayings of Christ which deserve to be printed in letters of gold. All the stars in heaven are bright and beautiful; yet even a child can see that "one star differeth from another in glory" …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 10:16 NIV1 Kings 10:16 NLT1 Kings 10:16 ESV1 Kings 10:16 NASB1 Kings 10:16 KJV
1 Kings 10:16 Commentaries
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