Topical Bible: Gold used in the Arts: Shields of

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Gold, a precious metal highly valued for its beauty and rarity, has been used throughout history in various artistic and functional applications. In the biblical context, gold was often employed in the creation of shields, which served both as instruments of war and as symbols of wealth and divine favor.

Biblical References:

The use of gold in the construction of shields is notably mentioned during the reign of King Solomon. In 1 Kings 10:16-17 , it is recorded: "King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield. He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold went into each shield. And the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon."

These shields were not intended for battle but were rather ornamental, signifying the prosperity and splendor of Solomon's kingdom. The House of the Forest of Lebanon, where these shields were displayed, functioned as an armory and a place of grandeur, reflecting the king's wealth and the blessings bestowed upon Israel during his reign.

The shields of gold also appear in the narrative of Rehoboam, Solomon's son. In 1 Kings 14:25-27 , it is recounted that during Rehoboam's reign, Shishak, the king of Egypt, attacked Jerusalem and "took away the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king’s house. He took everything, including all the gold shields that Solomon had made. Then King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place and committed them to the care of the captains of the guard who protected the entrance to the king’s house."

This passage highlights the transition from the opulence of Solomon's era to the decline during Rehoboam's rule, symbolized by the replacement of gold shields with bronze ones. The loss of the gold shields marked a significant moment in Israel's history, illustrating the consequences of turning away from divine commandments and the resulting vulnerability to foreign powers.

Symbolism and Significance:

In the biblical narrative, gold shields represent more than mere wealth; they symbolize divine favor, protection, and the glory of a united Israel under a wise and God-fearing king. The use of gold in these shields underscores the importance of beauty and craftsmanship in the service of God and the nation. The transition from gold to bronze shields serves as a poignant reminder of the spiritual and material decline that can follow disobedience to God's laws.

The artistic use of gold in shields, therefore, is not only a testament to the skill and resources of ancient Israel but also a reflection of the spiritual state of its leaders and people. The presence or absence of gold shields in the biblical narrative serves as a barometer of the nation's faithfulness and prosperity.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 10:16,17
And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of gold went to one target.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

A Long Twilight. AD 900-1100.
... Charlemagne had given an impulse to arts and letters of ... the place, and supposed his
image would be of gold. ... or weapons of any kind should be used from sunset ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/chapter ii a long twilight.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... as couriers or aides-de-camp; they used neither saddle ... weight of gold, known as the
"gold of bravery ... of the Syrian campaigns, learning the arts of generalship ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

Rom. viii. 12, 13
... of many of the wonders which then used to take ... they are compelled to practise a great
many arts, so as ... pairs of white mules proudly decked with gold, and his ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xiv rom viii 12.htm

The Life of S. Hilarion.
... how he was bound to yield to magic arts, "I care ... they who were nourished on such
food regarded gold as mire ... Here, so they said, Antony himself used to sing, pray ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the life of s hilarion.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... Greek settlers, amalgamating the customs, religions, and arts of the ... and taking down
the plates of gold with which ... times were long past when they used to send ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

The First Theban Empire
... and the great skill with which the shields were used ... ebony, panthers' skins or rings
of gold, myrrh, incense ... of these odoriferous resins were used for religious ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm

Treatise on Christ and Antichrist.
... And his seductive arts we shall exhibit in what follows. ... linen, and purple, and scarlet,
and decked with gold, and precious ... [1549] The word ptoma, used in the ...
/.../treatise on christ and antichrist.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... is no less displayed in the minor arts, such as ... Had he been ill-used, the Phoenicians
living on Egyptian ... or displaying superior taste"such as gold or silver ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

Footnotes
... 31 Shields Faithful Contendings pp.485-488. ... which was the only language allowed to
be used by the ... by the commissioners to the dean and faculty of arts that the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... These are the very expressions used by the ... they were accustomed to secure for escorting
caravans, were possessed of a considerable quantity of gold, which they ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm