King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold;
This phrase highlights King Solomon's wealth and the grandeur of his reign. The use of gold for shields, which were typically made of bronze or wood, signifies the opulence of Solomon's kingdom. Shields were not only used for protection in battle but also served as symbols of power and prestige. The number two hundred suggests a significant investment in these ceremonial items, reflecting the prosperity and peace during Solomon's reign. This opulence is consistent with the biblical description of Solomon's wisdom and wealth, as seen in 1 Kings 10:14-29, where his annual gold income and other riches are detailed.

six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield.
A shekel was a unit of weight, and six hundred shekels of gold per shield indicates a substantial amount of gold, emphasizing the luxury and splendor of Solomon's court. This detail underscores the economic prosperity of Israel under Solomon's rule, as well as the king's ability to amass such wealth. The use of gold in such quantities for non-essential items like shields also reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to bless Solomon with riches (1 Kings 3:13). This wealth can be seen as a type of the future glory of Christ's kingdom, where abundance and peace will reign. Solomon's wealth and wisdom foreshadow the greater wisdom and eternal riches found in Jesus Christ, who is described as greater than Solomon in Matthew 12:42.

1. King Solomon
The 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 Shields
These shields were made of hammered gold, signifying wealth and splendor. They were likely used for ceremonial purposes rather than practical warfare.

3. Gold
A 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. Shekels
An 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. Jerusalem
The capital city of Israel, where Solomon's palace and the Temple were located. It was the political and spiritual center of the nation.The Danger of Materialism
Solomon'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 Gold
Gold 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 Blessing
Solomon'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 Wisdom
Despite his wealth, Solomon is most renowned for his wisdom. This highlights the biblical principle that wisdom is more valuable than material riches.

Legacy and Influence
Solomon'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.Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 10

Is there archaeological evidence to support the mention of the “tower of David” and its “thousand shields” in Song of Solomon 4:4?

In 1 Kings 10:14, how plausible is Solomon receiving 666 talents of gold in one year, and does any archeological data support such immense wealth?

Why does Joshua 16:10 say the Canaanites in Gezer became forced labor, yet 1 Kings 9:15-16 seems to contradict who controlled Gezer's fate?

Does the account in 1 Kings 10:23 of Solomon's unmatched riches align with known ancient records, or do historical sources contradict this portrayal?(16, 17) The shields overlaid with gold--the larger called "targets," and the lesser called "shields"--were evidently used for ornamenting the king's palace, and (as we may gather from the notice in 2Chronicles 12:11, of the brazen shields which superseded them) taken down and borne before the king on solemn occasions, as "when he went to the house of the Lord." We have notices of shields of gold among the Syrians of Zobah (2Samuel 8:7; 1Chronicles 18:7), and of shields hung on the walls of Tyre (Ezekiel 27:10-11). The use of such ornaments argues a plethora of gold, too great to be absorbed either in currency or in personal and architectural decorations.

Verse 16. - And king Solomon made two hundred targets [צִנָּה, from a root which signifies protect, a large oblong shield, which covered the entire person (Psalm 5:12), θυρεός, scutum. See 1 Samuel 17:7, 41. The LXX. here reads δόρατα, i.e., spears] of beaten gold [The authorities are divided as to the meaning of שָׁחוּט, here translated beaten. This rendering is supported by Bahr and Keil (after Kimchi), but Gesenius understands mixed gold. Rawlinson infers from the weight that the shields were only plated (shields were commonly made of wood, covered with leather). But whether they were solid or not does not decide the question whether the gold was pure or alloyed. "Shields of gold" are mentioned 2 Samuel 8:7; 1 Macc. 6:39]: six hundred shekels [Heb. omits shekels, as elsewhere, Genesis 24:22; Genesis 37:28; Judges 8:26, etc. There were apparently two kinds of shekel, the Mosaic and the royal (for the latter see 2 Samuel 14:26). The former was twice as much as the latter, but there is no agreement amongst commentators as to the weight or value of either. Nor can we be certain which is indicated here. Thenius decides for the former, and estimates the weight of the gold on each target to be 17 ½ lbs., and the value to be 6000 thalers (£900), or, according to Keil, 5000 thalers (£750). Keil, however, inclines to the belief that the royal shekel is meant, in which case the weight would be 9 lbs., and the value about £400. Bahr, however, estimates the gold at no more than £78 (523 thalers)] of gold went to one target.

Parallel Commentaries ...


King
הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Solomon
שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה (šə·lō·mōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

made
וַיַּ֨עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

two hundred
מָאתַ֥יִם (mā·ṯa·yim)
Number - fd
Strong's 3967: A hundred

large shields
צִנָּ֖ה (ṣin·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6793: A hook, a, shield, cold

[of] hammered
שָׁח֑וּט (šā·ḥūṭ)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 7820: To hammer out

gold;
זָהָ֣ב (zā·hāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

six
שֵׁשׁ־ (šêš-)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number)

hundred [shekels]
מֵא֣וֹת (mê·’ō·wṯ)
Number - feminine plural
Strong's 3967: A hundred

of gold
זָהָ֔ב (zā·hāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

went
יַעֲלֶ֖ה (ya·‘ă·leh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

into
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

each
הָאֶחָֽת׃ (hā·’e·ḥāṯ)
Article | Number - feminine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

shield.
הַצִּנָּ֥ה (haṣ·ṣin·nāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6793: A hook, a, shield, cold


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OT History: 1 Kings 10:16 King Solomon made two hundred bucklers (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)