1 Kings 10:16

KJV

And king Solomon made two hundred targets [of] beaten gold: six hundred [shekels] of gold went to one target.

KJV (with Strong's)

And king {H4428} Solomon {H8010} made {H6213} two hundred {H3967} targets {H6793} of beaten {H7820} gold {H2091}: six {H8337} hundred {H3967} shekels of gold {H2091} went {H5927} to one {H259} target {H6793}.

Complete Jewish Bible

King Shlomo made 200 large shields of hammered gold; fifteen pounds of gold went into one shield.

Berean Standard Bible

King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield.

American Standard Version

And king Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold; six hundred shekels of gold went to one buckler.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 10:16 meticulously details a specific element of King Solomon's unparalleled opulence and the grandeur of his reign: the creation of two hundred large ceremonial shields, known as "targets." Each of these magnificent items was crafted from six hundred shekels of beaten gold, a staggering quantity that underscores the immense wealth and prestige of Israel during its golden age under Solomon. This verse contributes to the broader depiction of Solomon's kingdom at its zenith, showcasing a period of unprecedented material prosperity and royal display.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the narrative of 1 Kings 10, a chapter primarily dedicated to extolling the vast wealth, profound wisdom, and unparalleled glory of King Solomon. It immediately follows the climactic account of the [Queen of Sheba's visit](/1_kings/10-1 "1 Kings 10:1 - Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon"), an event that served as an international testament to Solomon's fame and the splendor of his kingdom. The description of these gold targets (v. 16) is then followed by a mention of three hundred smaller shields (v. 17) and the elaborate construction of Solomon's magnificent ivory throne overlaid with gold (v. 18-20), all contributing to an overwhelming picture of national grandeur. This sequence of descriptions reinforces the theme of unparalleled material blessing and royal magnificence that characterized Solomon's rule, presenting it as a peak of Israelite prosperity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Solomon's reign (c. 970-931 BC) marked a period of remarkable peace, prosperity, and international influence for Israel, largely due to his strategic alliances, extensive trade networks, and God-given wisdom. Jerusalem, under Solomon, became a vibrant hub of commerce and culture. The use of gold in such lavish quantities was not merely for practical purposes but was a powerful cultural statement of power, wealth, and divine favor. In ancient Near Eastern monarchies, the display of precious metals and elaborate craftsmanship was a common means for kings to assert their authority, impress foreign dignitaries, and legitimize their rule. These "targets" were likely part of a royal armory display, possibly in the "House of the Forest of Lebanon" (1 Kings 10:21), serving as a visual testament to Israel's preeminence and Solomon's divinely blessed status.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in 1 Kings. Firstly, it highlights **Unprecedented Wealth and Prosperity**, a direct fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon for his humble request for wisdom (cf. [1 Kings 3:13](/1_kings/3-13 "1 Kings 3:13 - God's Promise of Riches and Honor to Solomon")). The sheer volume of gold signifies an almost unimaginable level of national affluence. Secondly, it emphasizes **Royal Splendor and Display**, as these ceremonial shields were not for combat but for showcasing the kingdom's might and prestige. They served as symbols of Solomon's magnificence, impressing both his own people and foreign visitors. Thirdly, while depicting God's blessing, the lavishness also subtly introduces the theme of **Potential Dangers of Excessive Wealth**. Although initially a sign of divine favor, the accumulation and display of such riches, as the narrative progresses, implicitly foreshadow the spiritual compromises and eventual decline that can accompany unchecked prosperity, a theme Solomon himself would later explore in his wisdom literature.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Targets (Hebrew, _tsinnah'_):** This term refers to a large, full-body shield, designed to cover the entire person of a soldier. It is distinct from the smaller, rounder shield (Hebrew, _magen'_). In this context, however, these "targets" were clearly ceremonial rather than functional for battle, serving as ornate displays of wealth and power within the royal armory or palace. Their size would have made them particularly impressive as objects of display.
* **Beaten gold (Hebrew, _sagur'_):** This phrase indicates that the gold was hammered into shape rather than cast or melted. The process of beating gold into thin sheets or intricate forms required considerable skill and labor, making the resulting objects even more valuable and indicative of fine craftsmanship. It suggests a meticulous and costly production method, further emphasizing the extravagance of Solomon's court.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And king Solomon made two hundred targets [of] beaten gold":** This clause establishes the subject (King Solomon), the action (made), the quantity (two hundred), and the material (beaten gold) of the objects. The sheer number of these large, gold shields immediately signals an extraordinary level of wealth and a deliberate act of creating items for display rather than practical use. The "beaten gold" highlights the quality and labor-intensive nature of the craftsmanship.
* **"six hundred [shekels] of gold went to one target":** This provides the astonishing detail of the gold quantity per target. A shekel was a unit of weight, and 600 shekels of gold would equate to approximately 15 pounds (or 6.8 kilograms) of gold for *each* shield. This immense weight of precious metal for a single ceremonial item magnifies the scale of Solomon's wealth and the lavishness of his kingdom, making the total amount of gold for 200 targets truly staggering.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its message of unparalleled wealth and royal grandeur. **Hyperbole** is evident in the sheer, almost unbelievable quantity of gold used (600 shekels per target, multiplied by 200). While historically accurate, the description is presented in a way that emphasizes the extraordinary, pushing the boundaries of what is typically encountered. **Symbolism** is central, as the gold "targets" are not merely objects but powerful symbols of Solomon's immense power, prestige, and the perceived invincibility of his kingdom. They represent the apex of Israel's material glory and serve as a tangible manifestation of divine blessing. The meticulous detail regarding the "beaten gold" also highlights **Emphasis**, drawing attention to the quality and costliness of the craftsmanship, thereby reinforcing the overall theme of Solomon's unparalleled wealth and the kingdom's zenith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The description of Solomon's gold targets serves as a potent illustration of God's abundant blessing upon Israel during this period, a direct fulfillment of promises made to Solomon for his wisdom. This material prosperity was a tangible sign of divine favor, showcasing a kingdom at its peak of glory and influence. However, it also subtly introduces a theological tension: while wealth can be a gift from God, its excessive accumulation and display, if not stewarded with spiritual discernment, can become a snare. The very items that symbolized security and power were ceremonial, not for actual battle, hinting that true security lies not in material possessions but in God alone. This foreshadows the later decline of Solomon's kingdom, which, despite its initial splendor, would eventually face challenges that gold could not avert, underscoring the transient nature of earthly riches compared to eternal spiritual treasures.

* [Proverbs 11:28](/proverbs/11-28 "Proverbs 11:28 - The Folly of Trusting in Riches")
* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Laying Up Treasures in Heaven")
* [Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Beware of Covetousness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed account of Solomon's gold targets in 1 Kings 10:16 offers a vivid tableau of a kingdom at the pinnacle of its material glory, a testament to the immense blessings God bestowed upon Solomon. This period represents an unparalleled era of peace and prosperity in Israel's history, where divine favor manifested in tangible wealth. Yet, this very abundance carries a subtle, yet profound, spiritual warning. The lavish display of gold, while initially a sign of God's blessing, can, over time, become an end in itself, potentially overshadowing a sincere devotion to the Giver of all good things. This verse compels us to examine the source of our own blessings and to critically assess where our true security and ultimate trust reside. It challenges us to consider whether our pursuit and display of earthly resources align with heavenly priorities, reminding us that true and lasting security is found not in accumulating wealth, but in a steadfast relationship with God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the sheer extravagance of Solomon's gold targets challenge or affirm your understanding of God's blessings?**
* **In what ways might material abundance, even when divinely given, become a potential spiritual snare?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the difference between visible displays of power and true, lasting security?**
* **How can we ensure that our stewardship of resources, whether great or small, reflects a primary devotion to God rather than to the resources themselves?**

### FAQ

**Were these gold targets used in actual battles?**

Answer: No, the "targets" (large shields) mentioned in 1 Kings 10:16 were ceremonial, not for practical combat. The text describes them as being made of "beaten gold" and specifies an enormous amount of gold for each, making them far too heavy and valuable for battlefield use. They were likely displayed in Solomon's "House of the Forest of Lebanon" (as mentioned in [1 Kings 10:21](/1_kings/10-21 "1 Kings 10:21 - Solomon's House of the Forest of Lebanon")), serving as a visible symbol of his immense wealth, power, and the grandeur of his kingdom. Their purpose was to impress and symbolize, rather than to protect in warfare.

**How much gold was used for these targets, and what was its value?**

Answer: 1 Kings 10:16 states that "six hundred [shekels] of gold went to one target." A shekel was a unit of weight, and 600 shekels of gold is approximately 15 pounds (or 6.8 kilograms) of gold per target. With 200 such targets, the total amount of gold would be 120,000 shekels, or roughly 3,000 pounds (about 1,360 kilograms) of gold. At current market prices, this would represent an astronomical sum, underscoring the unparalleled wealth of Solomon's kingdom. This immense value highlights the extraordinary prosperity Israel enjoyed under his reign, a direct result of God's blessing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The lavish display of Solomon's golden targets, while signifying the peak of Israel's earthly glory, ultimately points beyond itself to a greater King and a more enduring glory found in Jesus Christ. Solomon's wealth, though divinely given, was temporal and eventually faded, as did the security it symbolized. His kingdom, despite its splendor, was earthly and ultimately fell. In contrast, Jesus, the true Son of David and the "greater than Solomon" (as declared in [Matthew 12:42](/matthew/12-42 "Matthew 12:42 - Jesus, Greater Than Solomon")), reigns over an eternal kingdom "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom Is Not Of This World")). While Solomon's glory was manifest in physical gold, Christ's glory is the very "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory")). He did not come to display earthly riches but to embody true spiritual wealth, becoming poor for our sake that we might become rich in Him ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). The gold targets of Solomon, though magnificent, were ultimately perishable; Christ offers imperishable treasures, eternal security, and a kingdom that will never end, fulfilling the promise of a King whose reign transcends all earthly splendor.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 14:26

And he took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he even took away all: and he took away all the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

1 Kings 14:28

And it was [so], when the king went into the house of the LORD, that the guard bare them, and brought them back into the guard chamber.

2 Chronicles 12:9

So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

2 Chronicles 12:10

Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed [them] to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the king's house.

2 Chronicles 9:15

And king Solomon made two hundred targets [of] beaten gold: six hundred [shekels] of beaten gold went to one target.

2 Chronicles 9:16

And three hundred shields [made he of] beaten gold: three hundred [shekels] of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.