Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, gold holds significant symbolic and practical value, often representing wealth, divine favor, and splendor. One of the notable uses of gold in the Bible is in the crafting of shields, particularly during the reigns of King Solomon and King Rehoboam. These shields were not only functional but also served as symbols of royal prestige and divine blessing upon the kingdom of Israel.Solomon's Golden Shields King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom and wealth, commissioned the creation of golden shields as part of his extensive building projects and efforts to display the grandeur of his kingdom. According to 1 Kings 10:16-17 , "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 stored in the House of the Forest of Lebanon, a part of Solomon's palace complex, which served as an armory and a display of the king's wealth and power. The use of gold for these shields underscores the prosperity of Solomon's reign and the divine favor that was believed to rest upon him and his kingdom. Rehoboam's Replacement of the Golden Shields The golden shields crafted during Solomon's reign did not remain in the possession of the kingdom indefinitely. During the reign of Solomon's son, King Rehoboam, the kingdom faced significant challenges, including the invasion of Shishak, king of Egypt. As recorded in 1 Kings 14:25-27 , "In the fifth year of Rehoboam’s reign, Shishak king of Egypt came up and attacked Jerusalem. He seized the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the royal palace. 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 palace." The replacement of the golden shields with bronze ones marked a decline in the kingdom's wealth and prestige. Bronze, while still valuable, did not carry the same connotations of divine favor and opulence as gold. This event is often seen as symbolic of the spiritual and material decline that occurred after Solomon's reign, as the kingdom faced internal strife and external threats. Symbolism and Significance The use of gold for shields in the biblical narrative is rich with symbolism. Gold, as a precious metal, is often associated with purity, value, and divine presence. The golden shields of Solomon's era represented the zenith of Israel's united monarchy, a time of peace, prosperity, and divine blessing. Their loss and replacement with bronze shields during Rehoboam's reign serve as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from divine commandments and the resulting loss of divine favor. In the broader biblical context, the imagery of shields also conveys protection and strength. While the physical shields of gold were symbols of earthly power and wealth, the Bible frequently uses the metaphor of God as a shield, offering spiritual protection and strength to His people. As expressed in Psalm 28:7 , "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped." Thus, the narrative of gold used for shields in the Bible not only highlights the historical and material aspects of Israel's monarchy but also serves as a deeper theological reflection on the nature of divine protection and the consequences of faithfulness or unfaithfulness to God's covenant. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Samuel 8:7And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 10:16,17 Library That Upon the Slaughter of Ishbosheth by the Treachery of his ... How Solomon Grew Rich, and Fell Desperately in Love with Women and ... Commendation for the Steadfast Guests at an Imperial Banquet The Review of the Troops at Doriscus. Imperial Tombs. How Ptolemy Philadelphus Procured the Laws of the Jews to be ... How Alexander Honored Jonathan after an Extraordinary Manner; and ... A Long Twilight. AD 900-1100. When the Banks were Completed and the Battering Rams Brought, and ... Resources Will there literally be streets of gold in heaven? | GotQuestions.orgIs it possible for gold dust to come down during a church service? | GotQuestions.org Why did the Magi bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus? | GotQuestions.org Gold: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Gold used in the Arts in Ornamenting the Priests' Garments Gold used in the Arts: Apparel Gold used in the Arts: Beaten Work Gold used in the Arts: Bedsteads Made of Gold used in the Arts: Crowns Made of Gold used in the Arts: Into Ornaments Gold used in the Arts: Made Into Wire Threads and Worked Into Embroidered Tapestry Gold used in the Arts: Modeled Into Forms of Fruits Gold used in the Arts: Overlaying With Gold used in the Arts: Shields of Gold used in the Arts: The Lampstands Made of, for the Tabernacle Gold was Used for Mercy Seat and Cherubims Gold was Used for Overlaying Cherubims in Temple Gold was Used for Overlaying Floor of Temple Gold was Used for Overlaying the Ark Gold was Used for Overlaying the Tabernacle Gold was Used for Overlaying the Temple Gold was Used for Overlaying Throne of Solomon Gold was Used for Sacred Candlesticks Gold was Used for Sacred Utensils Gold: Abundance of, in Solomon's Reign Gold: Altar Lamps, and Other Articles Made of Gold: Jews Condemned for Multiplying Gold: Kings of Israel not to Multiply Gold: Liable to Canker and Rust Gold: Most Valuable when Pure and Fine Gold: Offerings of, for Tabernacle Gold: Offerings of, for Temple Gold: Priestly and Royal Garments Adorned With Gold: Refined and Tried by Fire Gold: Taken in War, Dedicated to God Gold: The Patriarchs Were Rich In Gold: Vessels and Utensils Made of, for the Tabernacle Related Terms |
    |