The Wealth and Splendor of Solomon's Reign
1 Kings 10:14-29
1 K.10.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- משקל: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הזהב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לשלמה: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בשנה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחת: NUM,f,sg
- שש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ששים: NUM,card
- ושש: CONJ+NUM,card,m,sg
- ככר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 9:13 (quotation): Direct parallel account in Chronicles repeating the exact statement of Solomon's annual gold income (666 talents).
- Revelation 13:18 (allusion): Shares the numeral 666; NT passage invites reflection on the symbolic use of the number that appears here as Solomon's annual gold.
- 1 Kings 10:23 (thematic): Summarizes Solomon's unrivaled wealth and wisdom, providing the broader thematic context for the statement about his annual gold.
- 1 Kings 4:21 (thematic): Describes Solomon's dominion and the tribute brought to him from surrounding peoples, echoing the theme of royal wealth and resources.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the weight of the gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold.
- Now the weight of the gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold.
1 K.10.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לבד: PREP
- מאנשי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- התרים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ומסחר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הרכלים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- הערב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ופחות: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Chron.9.14-15 (quotation): Direct parallel account of Solomon’s annual revenue listing merchants, Tarshish traders and Arabian kings—Chronicles repeats Kings’ report of foreign trade bringing wealth.
- 1 Kgs.10.22 (verbal): Same chapter describes Solomon’s fleet and merchant activity (Tarshish ships) that brought gold and goods, reinforcing the commerce background to v.15.
- Ps.72.10 (thematic): Speaks of kings of Tarshish and Sheba bringing gifts to the king, echoing the motif of foreign rulers and traders bringing tribute to a wealthy monarch.
- Isa.60.6 (thematic): Describes camels and caravans bearing gold and frankincense from Sheba—parallel imagery of Arabian/foreign caravans supplying wealth to Jerusalem’s ruler.
- Ezek.27:12-25 (thematic): Lament for Tyre catalogs international merchants (including Tarshish, Sheba, Raamah) whose trade supplied luxury goods—parallels the network of traders and Arabian kings in Solomon’s revenues.
Alternative generated candidates
- This is apart from the revenue of the merchants and of the traffic of traders, and from all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the land.
- Besides this— from the men of Tarshish, from merchants and traders, and from all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the land.
1 K.10.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- מאתים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- צנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שחוט: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- שש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- הצנה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- האחת: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 9:15 (quotation): Direct retelling of 1 Kings 10:16—the same statement that Solomon made 200 shields of hammered gold, each weighing 600 shekels.
- 1 Kings 10:14 (thematic): Reports the enormous annual gold income of Solomon (666 talents), providing the economic context for the large amounts of gold used for shields.
- 1 Kings 10:17 (verbal): Immediately adjacent verse describing Solomon’s production of ivory-and-gold furnishings—parallels the craft terminology and royal-gold theme of v.16.
- 1 Kings 10:18 (thematic): Describes Solomon’s gilded throne and other lavish royal accoutrements, reinforcing the motif of ornate objects overlaid with gold found in v.16.
Alternative generated candidates
- The king made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold were on each shield.
- The king made two hundred shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold were on each shield.
1 K.10.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושלש: CONJ+NUM,card,sg
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- מגנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שחוט: ADJ,ptc,pass,m,sg
- שלשת: NUM,m,pl,abs
- מנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- המגן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- האחת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויתנם: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,obj:3mp
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הלבנון: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 9:16 (quotation): Direct parallel/duplicate of 1 Kgs 10:17—same description of 300 shields of beaten gold (three minas each) placed in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
- 1 Kings 7:2 (structural): Earlier description of Solomon’s construction of the House of the Forest of Lebanon; provides the architectural context where the gold shields were stored.
- 1 Chronicles 18:8 (verbal): Reports shields of gold taken and brought to Jerusalem—verbal and thematic correspondence in royal possession and dedication of gold shields.
- 1 Samuel 17:5–7 (thematic): Description of Goliath’s heavy, ostentatious armor and shield-bearer highlights the broader biblical motif of conspicuous/ceremonial weapons and shields associated with kingship and military display.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he made three hundred small shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold were on each small shield. And the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
- And he made three hundred targets of hammered gold; three minas of gold were on each target. The king placed them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
1 K.10.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ויצפהו: VERB,piel,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מופז: ADJ,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 9:17 (quotation): Chronicles repeats the account of Solomon’s throne almost verbatim—describing a great throne of ivory overlaid with pure gold (direct retelling of the same detail).
- 1 Kings 10:19 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same narrative that continues the description of Solomon’s throne (its steps, armrests and lion decorations), providing contextual detail about the ivory-and-gold seat.
- Amos 6:4 (thematic): Uses ivory furniture (lying on beds of ivory) as an image of elite luxury and complacency; thematically parallels Solomon’s ivory-and-gold throne as a symbol of royal opulence.
- Ezekiel 27:13-16 (thematic): In the oracle on Tyre, ivory (and other luxury goods) figures among traded commodities—connecting ivory and high-value materials like gold to ancient Near Eastern wealth and royal display, the same cultural milieu that produced an ivory throne.
Alternative generated candidates
- The king made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with pure gold.
- The king made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with pure gold.
1 K.10.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעלות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לכסה: VERB,qal,inf,3,f,sg
- וראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עגל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לכסה: VERB,qal,inf,3,f,sg
- מאחריו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- וידת: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מזה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומזה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- מקום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השבת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ושנים: CONJ+NUM,m,pl,abs
- אריות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עמדים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- אצל: PREP
- הידות: NOUN,f,pl,def
Parallels
- 2 Chr.9:17-19 (verbal): Direct parallel retelling of Solomon’s throne: ivory overlaid with gold, six steps, rounded back, armrests and two lions beside the armrests.
- 1 Kgs.10:18 (verbal): Immediate preceding verse in the same scene describing the ivory throne overlaid with gold—the immediate context for v.19’s architectural details.
- 1 Kgs.10:20 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same description of Solomon’s royal furnishings and throne complex in the same narrative block.
- Rev.4:6-8 (thematic): Throne-vision imagery with living creatures including one like a lion beside the throne—thematic parallel of lions/creatures attendant to a sovereign throne, symbolizing royal/ divine majesty.
Alternative generated candidates
- There were six steps to the seat, and a calf's head was at the back of the seat; there were armrests on each side of the place of sitting, and two lions stood beside the armrests.
- There were six steps to the throne; a footstool was attached to the throne. At the back of the throne was a calf’s head; the armrests were on either side of the place of sitting, and two lions stood beside the armrests.
1 K.10.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושנים: CONJ+NUM,m,pl,abs
- עשר: NUM,card,m,sg,cons
- אריים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עמדים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- על: PREP
- שש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המעלות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- מזה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומזה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- נעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- כן: ADV
- לכל: PREP
- ממלכות: NOUN,f,pl,cs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 9:17-19 (quotation): Direct parallel/retelling of Solomon’s throne description: Chronicles repeats the Kings account that twelve lions stood on the six steps and that nothing like it was made for any kingdom.
- 1 Kings 10:18-19 (verbal): Immediate context in Kings describing the ivory throne overlaid with gold, the six steps, and the twelve lions—part of the same unit of description.
- 1 Chronicles 29:23 (thematic): Summarizes Solomon’s accession and reign: Solomon seated on the LORD’s throne, emphasizing the throne’s role as the symbol of Davidic kingship (thematic parallel to the unique throne described in 1 Kgs 10:20).
- Ezekiel 1:10 (thematic): Mentions the face of a lion as one of the cherubim’s faces; thematically connects lion imagery with royal/divine power and throne-guarding symbolism found in Solomon’s lion-adorned steps.
Alternative generated candidates
- Twelve lions stood there on the six steps, on either side; nothing like this was made for any other kingdom.
- And twelve lions stood there on the six steps, on either side; nothing like this had been made for any kingdom.
1 K.10.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- כלי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- משקה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- כלי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הלבנון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סגור: ADJ,m,sg
- אין: PART,neg
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- נחשב: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- בימי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- למאומה: PREP
Parallels
- 2 Chr.9.20-21 (quotation): Direct parallel account to 1 Kgs 10:21 — states the king’s drinking vessels and the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were gold and that silver was not esteemed in Solomon’s days.
- 1 Kgs.10.16-17 (structural): Immediate literary context: describes Solomon’s gold-overlaid ivory throne and the statement about silver’s diminished value, reinforcing the chapter’s emphasis on royal opulence.
- 1 Kgs.7.48-50 (structural): Description of the furnishings and vessels made for the house of the LORD, the king’s house, and the House of the Forest of Lebanon — connects the specific location and the royal/temple vessels mentioned in 10:21.
- Eccl.2.8 (thematic): Solomon’s own reflection on his accumulation of silver, gold, and treasures — thematically parallels the depiction of Solomon’s vast wealth and precious objects.
- 1 Chr.29.3-5 (thematic): Account of David’s gathering of large quantities of gold and silver for the temple and royal purposes; provides historical/background context for the temple and royal riches associated with Solomon.
Alternative generated candidates
- All the drinking vessels of King Solomon were of gold; all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. Silver was not regarded as anything in Solomon's days.
- All the drinking vessels of King Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; silver was not considered of value in the days of Solomon.
1 K.10.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- תרשיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בים: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- חירם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחת: NUM,f,sg
- לשלש: PREP+NUM,f,pl
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- תבוא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- תרשיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נשאת: PTCP,qal,ptcp,f,pl
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכסף: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שנהבים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וקפים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ותכיים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chr.9.21 (quotation): Near-verbatim parallel: likewise reports the king’s fleet of Tarshish with Hiram and that every three years the Tarshish ships brought gold, silver, ivory, apes and peacocks.
- 1 Kgs.9.26-28 (verbal): Describes Solomon’s navy at Ezion‑geber and Hiram’s seafaring men who sailed to Ophir and brought back gold—same maritime trade network and gold imports as 10:22.
- 1 Kgs.10.14 (thematic): Summarizes Solomon’s annual income of gold, providing broader economic context for the gold and luxury goods brought by the Tarshish/Hiram ships.
- Isa.60.9 (allusion): Speaks of the ships of Tarshish bringing your sons and silver and gold to Zion—uses the imagery of Tarshish ships conveying wealth to Israel, echoing 1 Kgs 10:22’s trade motif.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the king had ships of Tarshish with the fleet of Hiram; once every three years the ships of Tarshish came, bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
- For the ships of Tarshish brought gold to the king by sea, with the ships of Hiram; once every three years the ships of Tarshish would come, bringing gold and silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
1 K.10.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויגדל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- מכל: PREP
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לעשר: VERB,qal,inf
- ולחכמה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 9:22 (verbal): Direct parallel in Chronicles: repeats that Solomon was greater than all kings of the earth in riches and wisdom (essentially the same claim as 1 Kgs 10:23).
- 1 Kings 4:29-34 (thematic): Extended account of Solomon's wisdom and fame—describes the breadth of his wisdom, his proverbs, and international renown that underlie the summary statement in 10:23.
- 1 Kings 3:12-13 (allusion): God's promise to Solomon that he will have wisdom (and also riches and honor) provides the theological explanation for Solomon's superior wisdom and wealth asserted in 10:23.
- 2 Chronicles 1:12 (thematic): Parallel account of divine bestowal: God gives Solomon wisdom and knowledge (and success), echoing the origin of Solomon’s preeminence in wisdom and prosperity.
- Ecclesiastes 2:26 (thematic): Wisdom literature reflection: God gives wisdom, knowledge and joy to those who please him—thematically connects divine gifting of wisdom (and attendant blessing) to the prosperity and superiority attributed to Solomon.
Alternative generated candidates
- Thus King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
- Thus King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in wealth and in wisdom.
1 K.10.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מבקשים: VERB,qal,ptcp,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- לשמע: INF,qal,infc
- את: PRT,acc
- חכמתו: NOUN,f,sg,cons+3ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בלבו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 4:29-34 (verbal): Early summary of Solomon’s God‑given wisdom and the international audiences that came to hear him — closely parallels the theme and language of 1 Kgs 10:24.
- 2 Chronicles 9:22-23 (quotation): Chronicles repeats the material of 1 Kings 10:24 almost verbatim: the kings/peoples of the earth sought Solomon’s presence to hear the wisdom God put in his heart.
- 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 (thematic): God’s bestowal of wisdom and knowledge on Solomon is narrated here, providing the theological basis for why people from afar sought him.
- Matthew 12:42 (allusion): Jesus refers to the Queen of the South who came from the ends of the earth to hear Solomon’s wisdom — an explicit New Testament allusion to Solomon’s renown described in 1 Kgs 10:24.
- Luke 11:31 (allusion): Parallel to Matthew’s citation: Jesus again invokes the queen who sought Solomon’s wisdom, echoing the fame and draw of Solomon in the earlier account.
Alternative generated candidates
- All the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart.
- All the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart.
1 K.10.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והמה: PRON,3,m,pl
- מבאים: VERB,qal,ptcp,3,m,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מנחתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- כלי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכלי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושלמות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ונשק: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובשמים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- סוסים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ופרדים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בשנה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chr.9.22-25 (structural): Chronicles retells Solomon’s riches and the annual coming of wealth and goods (gold, vessels, spices, horses and mules), paralleling the report of regular presents/tribute.
- 1 Kgs.10.14 (verbal): Immediate context: states Solomon’s yearly receipt of large quantities of gold (666 talents), connecting to the ‘year by year’ provision of wealth mentioned in v.25.
- 1 Kgs.10.26-29 (verbal): Describes Solomon’s horses, chariots and the import of horses from Egypt and Kue—directly parallels the mention of horses and mules and the king’s military/economic resources in v.25.
- 1 Kgs.5.8-12 (thematic): Records the trade and gift-exchange between Solomon and Hiram (cedar, timber exchanged for wheat/oil), thematically akin to the flow of goods, tribute and international commerce that supplies Solomon’s court.
Alternative generated candidates
- And each brought his present: articles of silver and articles of gold, garments and weapons, and horses and mules—year by year.
- And they brought each man his present—silver vessels, gold vessels, fine robes, weapons, and horses and mules—year by year.
1 K.10.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאסף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- רכב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ופרשים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- וארבע: CONJ,NUM,card,f,sg
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- רכב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושנים: CONJ+NUM,m,pl,abs
- עשר: NUM,card,m,sg,cons
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- פרשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וינחם: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- בערי: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const
- הרכב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ועם: CONJ+PREP
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 9:25 (verbal): Parallel retelling of Solomon’s military resources: Chronicles repeats the report of chariots and twelve thousand horsemen and their stationing in chariot-cities and with the king in Jerusalem.
- 1 Kings 4:26 (verbal): Earlier summary of Solomon’s chariots/horsemen and extensive stabling—another royal inventory that parallels the report of Solomon’s mounted forces.
- 1 Kings 10:29 (structural): Immediate contextual verse describing Solomon’s importation of horses and chariots from Egypt, providing the supply-side background for the numbers in 10:26.
- Psalm 20:7 (thematic): Contrasts human reliance on chariots and horses with trust in Yahweh; thematically linked as a theological counterpoint to royal confidence in cavalry.
- Isaiah 31:1 (thematic): Prophetic critique of trusting in horses and chariots (and Egypt) rather than the Lord—echoes the motif of royal reliance on mounted military power.
Alternative generated candidates
- Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.
- Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen; he had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.
1 K.10.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- הכסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כאבנים: SIM+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- הארזים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כשקמים: TMP+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בשפלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chr.9.27 (verbal): Direct parallel account in Chronicles repeating the same claim that silver was as common as stones in Jerusalem and cedars were as the lowland sycamores.
- 1 Kgs.10.23 (thematic): Summarizes Solomon's unparalleled wealth and splendor, providing the broader context for the hyperbolic statement about silver and cedars.
- 1 Kgs.5.6 (thematic): Describes Solomon's acquisition of cedars from Lebanon (via Hiram), explaining the material basis for the abundance of cedar noted in 10:27.
- Isa.9.10 (allusion): Uses similar tree imagery—sycamores and cedars—contrasting common and noble trees; echoes the motif of substituting or comparing sycamores and cedars found in 1 Kgs 10:27.
Alternative generated candidates
- The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars he had in abundance like the sycamores that are in the lowland.
- The king made silver in Jerusalem as common as stones, and cedars as plentiful as the sycamores that are in the lowland.
1 K.10.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומוצא: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הסוסים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לשלמה: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ממצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ומקוה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סחרי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יקחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- מקוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במחיר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 4:26 (verbal): Another Kings passage that describes Solomon's large force of horses and chariots—internal parallel about Solomon's horses and military resources.
- 2 Chronicles 9:28 (quotation): Chronicles repeats the account of Solomon importing horses from Egypt—close verbal parallel to 1 Kgs 10:28.
- Deuteronomy 17:16 (allusion): Law regulating Israelite kings forbids multiplying horses or returning the people to Egypt—background legal/theological contrast to Solomon's acquisition of horses from Egypt.
- Isaiah 31:1 (thematic): Prophetic warning against going down to Egypt for help and trusting in horses and chariots—thematises reliance on Egyptian horses opposed by prophetic critique.
- Psalm 20:7 (thematic): Contrast between trusting in chariots and horses and trusting in the LORD—echoes the theological tension in acquiring military horses.
Alternative generated candidates
- The horses that were for Solomon came out of Egypt; the king's traders bought them in Egypt at a stated price.
- And the horses that Solomon had were from Egypt and from all lands; the king’s merchants would buy them from Egypt at a set price.
1 K.10.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- ותצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- מרכבה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ממצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בשש: PREP+NUM,card,sg
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וסוס: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחמשים: PREP+NUM,card,pl
- ומאה: NUM,card,sg
- וכן: ADV
- לכל: PREP
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- החתים: NOUN,prop,m,pl,def
- ולמלכי: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בידם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- יצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 1:17 (verbal): Direct parallel in Chronicles: reports Solomon importing horses and chariots from Egypt (merchants bringing them), closely matching the Kings account of purchases from Egypt.
- 2 Chronicles 9:25 (verbal): Chronicles repeats the material about Solomon's horses and chariots and his chariot cities, paralleling Kings' report of the royal trade in horses and chariots.
- 1 Kings 4:26 (structural): Internal parallel within Kings describing Solomon's large holdings of horses and chariots (stables and horsemen), providing the broader context for the imports noted in 10:29.
- Deuteronomy 17:16 (thematic): Law giving the king restrictions: 'he must not acquire many horses... or return the people to Egypt' — thematically relevant as a prescriptive polemic against procuring horses from Egypt.
- Isaiah 31:1 (thematic): Prophetic criticism of relying on Egypt and on horses/chariots for security ('woe to those who rely on horses'), thematically echoing the political/military implications of importing Egyptian horses.
Alternative generated candidates
- A chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty; and such went out for all the kings of the Hittites and for the kings of Aram.
- A chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for fifty-five; such was the export for all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Aram.
And the weight of the gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold.
This was apart from the merchants of Tarshish and from the trading fleets and from all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the land. And King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold were on each shield. And he made three hundred shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold were on each shield. He put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon. And the king made a great ivory throne, and overlaid it with pure gold.
It had six steps to the seat; the top of the throne was rounded at the back; there were armrests on either side of the seat, and two lions stood beside the armrests. And twelve lions stood there on the six steps, on this side and on that; there was nothing like it made for any kingdom.
All the drinking vessels of King Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold; silver was not esteemed in the days of Solomon.
For the ships of Tarshish went with the ships of Hiram; once every three years the ships of Tarshish came, bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes and peacocks. So King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. And all the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
They brought every man his present: articles of silver and gold, garments and armor, spices, horses and mules—year by year.
Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen; he had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem. And the king made silver in Jerusalem as common as stones, and cedars as plentiful as the sycamores that are in the lowland.
The horses that were Solomon’s came out of Egypt, and the king’s merchants bought them in Egypt at the market price.
A chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty; so they were for all the kings of the Hittites and for the kings of Aram.