All King Solomon's drinking cups were gold, and all the utensils of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. There was no silver, because it was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon. All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were goldThis phrase highlights the immense wealth and opulence of King Solomon's reign. The use of "gold" for drinking vessels signifies not only luxury but also the prosperity that God had granted Solomon. In the ancient Near East, gold was a symbol of divine favor and royal authority. The Hebrew word for gold, "זָהָב" (zahav), is often associated with purity and value, reflecting the high status of Solomon's court. This opulence is a testament to the fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon, as seen in 1 Kings 3:13, where God grants him wealth and honor. and all the utensils of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold
The "House of the Forest of Lebanon" was one of Solomon's grand architectural projects, serving as a royal palace and armory. The use of "pure gold" for all utensils underscores the unparalleled wealth during Solomon's reign. The Hebrew term for "pure," "סָגוּר" (sagur), implies completeness and perfection, suggesting that Solomon's kingdom was at its zenith. This reflects the blessings of wisdom and prosperity that God bestowed upon Solomon, as described in 1 Kings 4:29-34. There was no silver
The phrase "There was no silver" indicates the relative abundance of gold compared to silver during Solomon's time. Silver, though valuable, was considered of lesser worth. The Hebrew word for silver, "כֶּסֶף" (kesef), often symbolizes wealth and commerce. However, in Solomon's era, the abundance of gold rendered silver insignificant, highlighting the extraordinary economic conditions and divine favor upon Israel. because it was considered as nothing in the days of Solomon
This phrase emphasizes the unprecedented prosperity and wealth during Solomon's reign. The Hebrew word for "nothing," "לֹא" (lo), conveys the idea of insignificance or worthlessness. In the context of Solomon's kingdom, this reflects the fulfillment of God's promises and the peace and prosperity that characterized his rule. The historical context shows that Solomon's wisdom and trade alliances, as described in 1 Kings 10:14-29, brought immense wealth to Israel, making silver commonplace and of little value. 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 peace and prosperity in Israel. 2. House of the Forest of LebanonA significant building constructed by Solomon, used for royal and ceremonial purposes. It was named for its cedar pillars, which resembled a forest. 3. Gold and SilverIn the context of Solomon's reign, gold symbolizes wealth and divine blessing, while silver, though valuable, is considered less significant due to the abundance of gold. Teaching Points The Temporary Nature of Earthly WealthSolomon's wealth, though immense, serves as a reminder of the temporary nature of material possessions. Believers are encouraged to seek eternal treasures in heaven. The Source of True Wisdom and ProsperitySolomon's wisdom and wealth were gifts from God. True prosperity comes from aligning with God's will and seeking His wisdom above all else. The Danger of MaterialismThe abundance of gold and the disregard for silver during Solomon's reign can serve as a warning against the dangers of materialism and the pursuit of wealth over spiritual growth. God's Provision and BlessingThe prosperity of Solomon's kingdom illustrates God's provision and blessing. Believers are reminded to trust in God's provision and to use their resources for His glory. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the wealth of Solomon's kingdom reflect God's blessings, and what can we learn about God's provision in our own lives? 2. In what ways can the pursuit of material wealth distract us from our spiritual goals, and how can we guard against this in our daily lives? 3. How does Solomon's reflection in Ecclesiastes on the meaninglessness of wealth without God challenge our own views on success and fulfillment? 4. What practical steps can we take to store up treasures in heaven, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:19-21? 5. How can we use the resources and blessings God has given us to serve others and further His kingdom? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 9:20This verse parallels 1 Kings 10:21, emphasizing the abundance of gold and the insignificance of silver during Solomon's reign, highlighting the prosperity and wealth of his kingdom. Ecclesiastes 2:4-11Solomon reflects on his accomplishments and wealth, ultimately finding them meaningless without a relationship with God, providing a deeper understanding of the limitations of material wealth. Matthew 6:19-21Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth, offering a contrast to the material wealth of Solomon's time and encouraging believers to focus on eternal values. People Arabians, Aram, Hiram, Hittites, Ophir, Solomon, Tarshish, TharshishPlaces Egypt, House of the Forest of Lebanon, Jerusalem, Kue, Ophir, Sheba, Shephelah, Syria, TarshishTopics Account, Accounted, Anything, Articles, Best, Considered, Drinking, Drinking-vessels, Forest, Goblets, Gold, Household, Least, Lebanon, None, Nothing, Palace, Precious, Pure, Reckoned, Refined, Silver, Solomon, Solomon's, Valuable, Value, Vessels, WoodsDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 10:21 4448 forests
5283 cup 1 Kings 10:14-21 5211 art 1 Kings 10:14-22 4303 metals 1 Kings 10:16-21 5437 palaces 1 Kings 10:18-21 5399 luxury 1 Kings 10:21-22 4363 silver
5407 merchants 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 10:21 NIV1 Kings 10:21 NLT1 Kings 10:21 ESV1 Kings 10:21 NASB1 Kings 10:21 KJV
1 Kings 10:21 Commentaries
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