The king made the almug wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king's palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had such almug wood been brought in, nor has such been seen to this day.) The king made the almug wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palaceThe use of almug wood, also known as algum wood, signifies the wealth and splendor of Solomon's reign. This wood was highly valued and likely imported from Ophir, a region famous for its precious resources. The construction of steps for the house of the LORD, or the temple, and the king's palace indicates the importance of these structures in Israelite society. The temple was the center of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence, while the palace symbolized the political and administrative heart of the kingdom. The use of such rare and valuable materials reflects the glory and prosperity of Solomon's kingdom, fulfilling God's promise to David about his son's reign ( 1 Chronicles 22:9-10). and into lyres and harps for the singers
The creation of musical instruments from almug wood highlights the cultural and religious significance of music in ancient Israel. Lyres and harps were essential in worship and celebration, used by the Levites and other musicians in temple services. Music played a crucial role in expressing devotion and praise to God, as seen in the Psalms, many of which were attributed to David, Solomon's father. The craftsmanship and quality of these instruments would have enhanced the worship experience, contributing to the temple's atmosphere of reverence and joy. Never before had such almug wood been brought in, nor has such been seen again to this day.
This statement emphasizes the uniqueness and rarity of the almug wood used during Solomon's reign. It underscores the unprecedented nature of Solomon's wealth and the divine favor upon his kingdom. The mention that such wood had not been seen again suggests a historical context where Solomon's era was viewed as a golden age, unmatched in splendor and prosperity. This aligns with the biblical narrative that portrays Solomon's wisdom and wealth as unparalleled, a fulfillment of God's promise to bless Israel under his rule (1 Kings 3:12-13). The rarity of the almug wood also serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly riches and the enduring value of spiritual devotion. Persons / Places / Events 1. King SolomonThe son of David and Bathsheba, Solomon is known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. 2. House of the LORDRefers to the Temple in Jerusalem, which Solomon built as a place of worship for the Israelites. 3. Almug WoodA rare and valuable wood, possibly sandalwood, used for construction and musical instruments in Solomon's time. 4. King’s PalaceThe royal residence of King Solomon, showcasing his wealth and the prosperity of Israel under his reign. 5. Singers and Musical InstrumentsThe use of lyres and harps indicates the importance of music in worship and royal ceremonies. Teaching Points The Value of WorshipThe use of rare almug wood for the Temple and musical instruments underscores the importance of dedicating our best resources to worship God. God's Provision and BlessingSolomon's wealth and resources reflect God's blessing on Israel, reminding us that our prosperity should be used for His glory. The Role of Music in WorshipThe inclusion of lyres and harps highlights the significance of music in worship, encouraging us to incorporate music as a form of praise and adoration. Stewardship of ResourcesSolomon's use of almug wood for both the Temple and his palace teaches us about the balance of using resources for God's work and personal needs. Historical and Cultural ContextUnderstanding the historical context of Solomon's reign helps us appreciate the significance of these events and their impact on Israel's history. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the use of almug wood in the Temple and palace reflect Solomon's priorities, and what can we learn from this about prioritizing our resources for God's work? 2. In what ways can we incorporate music into our personal and communal worship to enhance our praise and connection with God? 3. How does the prosperity of Solomon's reign demonstrate God's provision, and how can we apply this understanding to our own lives? 4. What lessons can we learn from Solomon's stewardship of resources that can be applied to our financial and material management today? 5. How does understanding the historical and cultural context of 1 Kings 10:12 enrich our interpretation and application of this scripture in our lives? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 9:10-11This passage parallels 1 Kings 10:12, describing the same events and emphasizing the rarity and value of almug wood. Psalm 150Highlights the use of musical instruments in worship, connecting to the use of lyres and harps in the Temple. 1 Kings 5:6Discusses Solomon's use of resources and labor for building projects, showing his administrative skills and the prosperity of his reign. People Arabians, Aram, Hiram, Hittites, Ophir, Solomon, Tarshish, TharshishPlaces Egypt, House of the Forest of Lebanon, Jerusalem, Kue, Ophir, Sheba, Shephelah, Syria, TarshishTopics Almug, Almug-trees, Almugwood, Balustrade, Harps, Imported, Instruments, King's, Lutes, Lyres, Makers, Maketh, Melody, Music, Musicians, Palace, Pillars, Psalteries, Royal, Sandal-wood, Singers, Stringed, Support, Supports, Temple, Trees, WoodDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 10:12 5332 harp
5400 lyre
7960 singing 1 Kings 10:1-13 5745 women 1 Kings 10:11-12 4528 trees
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 10:12 NIV1 Kings 10:12 NLT1 Kings 10:12 ESV1 Kings 10:12 NASB1 Kings 10:12 KJV
1 Kings 10:12 Commentaries
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