The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills. The kingThis phrase refers to King Solomon, the son of David, who was renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive building projects. Solomon's reign is often seen as the pinnacle of Israel's united monarchy, a time of peace and prosperity. His leadership and the blessings of God upon his reign are central to understanding the historical and theological context of this verse. made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones
The abundance of silver signifies the immense wealth and prosperity during Solomon's reign. In ancient times, silver was a precious metal, often used as currency and a measure of wealth. The comparison to stones suggests an extraordinary level of prosperity, where something valuable became as ubiquitous as the most common elements of the earth. This hyperbolic expression underscores the economic boom and the flourishing trade relationships Solomon established, particularly with nations like Tyre and Sheba. and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills
Cedar wood, especially from Lebanon, was highly prized in the ancient Near East for its quality and durability. It was used in the construction of the temple and Solomon's palace, symbolizing strength and permanence. The sycamore, on the other hand, was a common tree in the lowlands of Israel, used for everyday purposes. By equating the abundance of cedar to that of sycamore, the text highlights the extraordinary resources available during Solomon's reign. This abundance is a testament to the successful alliances and trade networks Solomon cultivated, as well as the divine favor upon his kingdom. 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 marked by prosperity and peace. 2. JerusalemThe capital city of Israel, Jerusalem is the political and spiritual center during Solomon's reign. It is where the Temple is built and where Solomon's wealth is most evident. 3. Cedar and SycamoreCedar wood, known for its quality and durability, was highly valued and used in significant construction projects, including the Temple. Sycamore, more common and less valuable, is used here to illustrate the abundance of cedar. 4. The FoothillsThis refers to the Shephelah, a region of low hills in Israel. The mention of sycamore in the foothills highlights the contrast between the common and the valuable. 5. SilverA precious metal, silver's abundance in Jerusalem under Solomon's reign signifies the extraordinary wealth and prosperity of the kingdom. Teaching Points The Blessings of Wisdom and ObedienceSolomon's wealth is a direct result of his initial obedience and wisdom granted by God. When we seek God's wisdom, it can lead to blessings in various forms. The Danger of MaterialismWhile Solomon's wealth is impressive, it also serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for material wealth to lead one's heart away from God. God's ProvisionThe abundance of resources in Solomon's time reminds us of God's ability to provide abundantly for His people. Trust in God's provision rather than in material wealth. Stewardship of ResourcesSolomon's use of resources for building the Temple and his palace highlights the importance of using God's blessings for His glory and purposes. Contentment in God's BlessingsThe abundance of silver and cedar can remind us to be content with what God provides, recognizing that true wealth is found in a relationship with Him. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Solomon's wealth reflect God's blessing, and what can we learn about the relationship between obedience and blessing from his example? 2. In what ways can material abundance become a spiritual danger, as seen in Solomon's life and other biblical examples? 3. How does the abundance of silver and cedar in Solomon's time compare to the treasures we seek today, and what does this teach us about where to place our value? 4. How can we apply the principle of stewardship in our own lives, using our resources for God's glory? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision. How did it impact your faith, and how can you cultivate a heart of contentment in your current circumstances? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 9:27This verse parallels 1 Kings 10:27, emphasizing the abundance of wealth during Solomon's reign. Deuteronomy 17:17This passage warns against kings accumulating excessive wealth, which provides a backdrop for understanding the potential pitfalls of Solomon's prosperity. Matthew 6:19-21Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth, offering a New Testament perspective on wealth and material abundance. People Arabians, Aram, Hiram, Hittites, Ophir, Solomon, Tarshish, TharshishPlaces Egypt, House of the Forest of Lebanon, Jerusalem, Kue, Ophir, Sheba, Shephelah, Syria, TarshishTopics Abundance, Cedar, Cedars, Common, Foothills, Jerusalem, Low, Lowland, Lowlands, Maketh, Plentiful, Shephe'lah, Silver, Stone, Stones, Sycamore, Sycamore-fig, Sycamores, Sycamore-trees, Sycomore-trees, Trees, ValeDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 10:27 4363 silver
4366 stones
4424 cedar
4518 sycamore-fig tree
4528 trees 1 Kings 10:23-27 8780 materialism, and sin 1 Kings 10:23-29 8701 affluence 1 Kings 10:25-27 5119 Solomon, life of 1 Kings 10:26-27 5776 achievement 1 Kings 10:26-29 5407 merchants 1 Kings 10:27-29 7236 Israel, united kingdom 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 10:27 NIV1 Kings 10:27 NLT1 Kings 10:27 ESV1 Kings 10:27 NASB1 Kings 10:27 KJV
1 Kings 10:27 Commentaries
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