Verse:
1 Kings 9:28 · "They sailed to Ophir and imported gold from there—sixteen talents—and delivered it to Solomon."

Context and Background:
1 Kings 9:28 is situated within the narrative of King Solomon's reign, a period marked by prosperity, wisdom, and extensive building projects, including the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. This verse specifically highlights the economic and trade activities during Solomon's rule, emphasizing the wealth and resources that were accumulated to support his kingdom's grandeur.

Ophir and Its Significance:
Ophir is mentioned several times in the Bible as a region renowned for its wealth, particularly its gold. The exact location of Ophir remains a subject of debate among scholars, with suggestions ranging from regions in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, to parts of India. Regardless of its precise location, Ophir symbolizes the far-reaching trade networks and the opulence associated with Solomon's reign.

The Import of Gold:
The importation of sixteen talents of gold from Ophir underscores the immense wealth that Solomon amassed. A talent, an ancient unit of weight, is estimated to be approximately 75 pounds (34 kilograms), making this a substantial quantity of gold. This wealth was instrumental in funding Solomon's ambitious projects and maintaining the splendor of his court.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, the wealth and prosperity during Solomon's reign can be seen as a fulfillment of God's promises to David, Solomon's father, regarding the establishment and flourishing of his dynasty (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Solomon's ability to secure such wealth also reflects the wisdom granted to him by God, which enabled him to govern effectively and establish beneficial trade relations.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:
While the accumulation of wealth is evident in this passage, it also serves as a reminder of the potential pitfalls associated with material prosperity. Solomon's later years, as recorded in the biblical narrative, show a decline in his spiritual fidelity, partly attributed to the distractions and excesses of wealth and foreign alliances. This serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of prioritizing spiritual devotion over material gain.

Conclusion:
1 Kings 9:28 provides a glimpse into the economic prowess and international influence of Solomon's kingdom. It highlights the fulfillment of divine promises and the potential for both positive and negative outcomes associated with wealth. This verse invites reflection on the balance between material success and spiritual integrity, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.420 (1 Occurrence)

1 Kings 9:28
They came to Ophir, and fetched from there gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to king Solomon.
(See NIV)

420 (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance 420 (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 9:28 They came to
Ophir, and fetched from there gold, four hundred and twenty ...
/num/420.htm - 6k

430 (3 Occurrences)

/num/430.htm - 7k

410 (1 Occurrence)

/num/410.htm - 6k

Golgotha (4 Occurrences)
... This tradition apparently originates with Jerome (346-420 AD), who refers to (3),
to condemn it, and says that "outside the city and without the gate there are ...
/g/golgotha.htm - 19k

Malachi (2 Occurrences)
... It is probable that he delivered his prophecies about BC 420, after the second return
of Nehemiah from Persia (Nehemiah 13:6), or possibly before his return. ...
/m/malachi.htm - 21k

Pergamos (1 Occurrence)
... city. The early people of the town were descendants of Greek colonists, and
as early as 420 BC they struck coins of their own. Lysimachus ...
/p/pergamos.htm - 12k

Pergamum (2 Occurrences)
... city. The early people of the town were descendants of Greek colonists, and
as early as 420 BC they struck coins of their own. Lysimachus ...
/p/pergamum.htm - 12k

Chaldeans (82 Occurrences)
... into city-dwellers. Sennacherib refers to 75 (var. 89) strong cities and
fortresses of Chaldea, and 420 (var. 800) smaller towns ...
/c/chaldeans.htm - 48k

Version
... This version became greatly corrupted by repeated transcription, and to remedy the
evil Jerome (AD 329-420) was requested by Damasus, the bishop of Rome, to ...
/v/version.htm - 37k

Chaldea (8 Occurrences)
... into city-dwellers. Sennacherib refers to 75 (var. 89) strong cities and
fortresses of Chaldea, and 420 (var. 800) smaller towns ...
/c/chaldea.htm - 25k

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