1 Kings 10:14 - Meaning and Application

Here we have a further account of Solomon’s prosperity.

He kept adding to his wealth. Though he already had much, he still wanted more, as if he were testing how far this world could go in making people happy. Besides the gold that came from Ophir (1 Kings 9:28), he brought in so much from other places that the total each year came to 666 talents (1 Kings 10:14). That is an ominous number, compare (Revelation 13:18) and (Ezra 2:13). He also received a great deal from customs paid by merchants and from taxes on the lands his father had conquered and made subject to Israel (1 Kings 10:15).

He was also partner with Hiram, king of Tyre, in a Tarshish fleet, a trading fleet that sailed for Tyre and back. Every three years it brought not only gold, silver, and ivory, useful and valuable goods, but also apes for amusement and peacocks for beauty with their feathers (1 Kings 10:22). One wonders whether this was not a sign that Solomon and his people, overfed with prosperity, had by then become childish and vain. Each year, neighboring princes and great men also sent him gifts to keep his friendship, not so much because they feared him or were jealous of him, but because they loved him and admired his wisdom. They often consulted him like an oracle, and sent these gifts as payment, so to speak, for his advice in matters of state. Whether this suited his dignity and generosity, we are not told, but he took all that came, even garments, spices, horses, and mules (1 Kings 10:24, 1 Kings 10:25).

He also traded with Egypt for horses and linen yarn, or as some read it, linen cloth, which were among that country’s chief products. He had his own merchants or agents in this trade, and they were answerable to him (1 Kings 10:28). The tax paid to the king of Egypt on exported chariots and horses was very high, but, as Bishop Patrick understands it, Solomon, since he had married the king’s daughter, got him to settle for less. That let Solomon bring them in more cheaply than his neighbors, which likely made the trade profitable for him. This honors the business side of a nation and shows that trade is not so far below other callings as some suppose. Solomon, one of the greatest men who ever lived, did not think it beneath him to trade. In all labor there is profit.

We should also see how he used his wealth. He did not just store it up in his treasure rooms so he could admire it or leave it behind. In Ecclesiastes, he speaks so strongly against hoarding that we cannot think he was guilty of it himself. No, God, who gave him riches, wealth, and honor, also gave him the ability to enjoy them and take his share (Ecclesiastes 5:19).

He spent some of his gold on fine things for himself, which he was all the more free to do because he had already spent so much on the house of God. He made 200 targets and 300 shields of beaten gold (1 Kings 10:16, 1 Kings 10:17), not for battle, but for display, to be carried before him in public. Today rulers may have swords and maces carried before them, and the Romans had rods and axes, as signs of authority to punish wrongdoing and be a warning to evil people. Solomon, however, had shields and targets carried before him, showing that he wanted to use his power mainly to defend and protect the good, to whom a ruler should be a source of honor. Magistrates are shields of the earth.

He also made a splendid throne on which he sat to give laws, receive ambassadors, and judge appeals (1 Kings 10:18-20). It was made of ivory, that is, elephant tusks, which made it very rich. And as if he had so much gold he did not know what to do with it, he overlaid it with the finest gold. Some think he did not cover the ivory completely, but set gold in it here and there, as ornament. The arms of the chair were supported by golden lions, and lions also stood by the steps leading up to it. These were meant to remind him of the courage and firmness he needed in judgment, so he would not fear the face of man. The righteous person in that place is bold as a lion.

He also made all his drinking vessels and all the tableware for his country house of pure gold (1 Kings 10:21). He did not refuse himself the good things he had, but used them and enjoyed them. What is good is what truly does us good.

He made his wealth circulate among his people, so the kingdom was as rich as the king. He had no separate interests to serve, but sought the good of his people. Those rulers do not follow Solomon’s wisdom who think it wise to keep their subjects poor. In this, Solomon pointed ahead to Christ, who is not only rich himself, but makes all who belong to him rich as well. Solomon helped bring so much gold into the land and spread it around that silver was hardly valued (1 Kings 10:21). There was so much of it in Jerusalem that it was as common as stones, and cedars, once rare, were as common as sycamore trees (1 Kings 10:27). That is the nature of worldly wealth, plenty of it makes it seem less valuable. Much more, then, should spiritual riches make us care less about earthly goods. If gold in such abundance makes silver seem cheap, should not wisdom, grace, and the taste of heaven, which are far better than gold, make earthly wealth seem much less important?

So Solomon was rich and great, and he surpassed all the kings of the earth (1 Kings 10:23). Let us remember two things. First, this was the man who, when he began his life’s work, did not ask for wealth or honor, but for a wise and understanding heart. The more moderate our desires are for earthly things, the better fitted we are to enjoy them, and the more likely we are to receive them. In Solomon’s greatness, we see God keeping his promise (1 Kings 3:13). Let that encourage us to seek first the righteousness of God’s kingdom.

Second, this was the same man who, after tasting all these pleasures, wrote a whole book to show how empty worldly things are and how much trouble they bring. He showed that they cannot make us happy and that it is foolish to set our hearts on them. He also urged serious godliness, saying it is the whole duty of man and will do far more to make us peaceful and happy than all the wealth and power he possessed. Through God’s grace, that way is within our reach, even if the smallest part of Solomon’s greatness is far more than we could ever honestly expect in this world.