The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents, The weight of goldThis phrase emphasizes the immense wealth that Solomon accumulated. In the ancient Near East, gold was a symbol of wealth, power, and divine favor. The Hebrew word for "weight" is "מִשְׁקַל" (mishkal), which indicates a measured amount, suggesting that Solomon's wealth was not only vast but also meticulously accounted for. This reflects the organized and prosperous nature of Solomon's reign, which was marked by economic stability and international trade. that came to Solomon
The phrase highlights the influx of wealth to Solomon, indicating that this was not a one-time event but a regular occurrence. The Hebrew verb "בּוֹא" (bo) means "to come" or "to enter," suggesting that this wealth was brought to Solomon from various sources, including tributes, trade, and gifts. This underscores Solomon's influence and the respect he commanded from surrounding nations, fulfilling God's promise of wisdom and prosperity to him. each year
This phrase indicates the consistency and reliability of Solomon's wealth accumulation. The Hebrew term "שָׁנָה" (shanah) means "year," and its use here suggests a cyclical, ongoing process. This annual influx of gold reflects the stability and continuity of Solomon's reign, as well as the sustained economic prosperity of Israel during this period. It also serves as a testament to Solomon's wise governance and the blessings of God upon his kingdom. was 666 talents
The specific number "666" has intrigued scholars and theologians for centuries. In Hebrew, "תַּלֶּנְט" (kikkar) refers to a large unit of weight, approximately 75 pounds or 34 kilograms. The mention of "666 talents" signifies an enormous quantity of gold, highlighting the extraordinary wealth of Solomon's kingdom. While the number 666 is often associated with negative connotations in other biblical contexts, here it simply denotes the vastness of Solomon's riches. This wealth enabled Solomon to undertake grand projects, such as the construction of the Temple, and to maintain a lavish court, further solidifying his status as a powerful and wise ruler. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonThe son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon was the third king of Israel. Known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the First Temple in Jerusalem, Solomon's reign is often seen as a high point in Israel's history. 2. IsraelThe united kingdom under Solomon, which experienced a period of peace and prosperity. Solomon's wealth and wisdom attracted visitors from all over the known world. 3. 666 talents of goldThis specific amount of gold received annually by Solomon signifies immense wealth. The number 666 is notable in biblical literature and often associated with imperfection or human systems. Teaching Points The Danger of WealthWhile wealth itself is not inherently evil, the accumulation and reliance on it can lead to spiritual complacency and a departure from reliance on God. Wisdom and WealthSolomon's wisdom was a gift from God, yet his wealth became a potential stumbling block. Believers should seek wisdom from God and use their resources for His glory. Symbolism of NumbersThe number 666 in this context can remind us of the imperfection of human systems and the need to seek God's perfect will. StewardshipAs stewards of God's blessings, we are called to use our resources wisely and for the advancement of His kingdom, rather than personal gain. Contentment in GodTrue contentment and security come from a relationship with God, not from material wealth or possessions. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Solomon's accumulation of wealth align or conflict with the instructions given to kings in Deuteronomy 17:17? 2. In what ways can the number 666, as mentioned in 1 Kings 10:14 and Revelation 13:18, serve as a warning for believers today? 3. How can we ensure that our pursuit of wisdom and success does not lead us away from our dependence on God? 4. What practical steps can we take to be good stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us? 5. How can we cultivate a heart of contentment in God, rather than relying on material wealth for our security and happiness? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 9:13This verse parallels 1 Kings 10:14, providing a similar account of Solomon's wealth, emphasizing the prosperity of his reign. Revelation 13:18The number 666 is also mentioned in the context of the "mark of the beast," symbolizing human imperfection and worldly systems, which can be contrasted with the divine order. Deuteronomy 17:17This verse warns against kings accumulating excessive wealth, which can lead to a reliance on material riches rather than God. People Arabians, Aram, Hiram, Hittites, Ophir, Solomon, Tarshish, TharshishPlaces Egypt, House of the Forest of Lebanon, Jerusalem, Kue, Ophir, Sheba, Shephelah, Syria, TarshishTopics Gold, Hundred, Received, Six, Sixty, Sixty-six, Solomon, Talents, Threescore, Weight, YearlyDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 10:14 5260 coinage
5615 weights 1 Kings 10:14-15 5407 merchants
5433 occupations
5577 taxation
5587 trade 1 Kings 10:14-21 5211 art 1 Kings 10:14-22 4303 metals
4333 gold 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 10:14 NIV1 Kings 10:14 NLT1 Kings 10:14 ESV1 Kings 10:14 NASB1 Kings 10:14 KJV
1 Kings 10:14 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
