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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 1 Kings 10:14–29. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
We have here a further account of Solomon's prosperity.
I.How he increased his wealth.
Though he had much, he still coveted to have more, being willing to try the utmost the things of this world could do to make men happy.
1.Besides the gold that came from Ophir (Kg1 9:28), he brought so much into his country from other places that the whole amounted, every year, to 666 talents (Kg1 10:14), an ominous number, compare Rev 13:18, and Ezr 2:13.
2.He received a great deal in customs from the merchants, and in land-taxes from the countries his father had conquered and made tributaries to Israel, Kg1 10:15.
3.He was Hiram's partner in a Tharshish fleet, of and for Tyre, which imported once in three years, not only gold, and silver, and ivory, substantial goods and serviceable, but apes to play with and peacocks to please the eye with their feathers, Kg1 10:22. I wish this may not be an evidence that Solomon and his people, being overcharged with prosperity, by this time grew childish and wanton.
4.He had presents made him, every year, from the neighbouring princes and great men, to engage the continuance of his friendship, not so much because they feared him or were jealous of him as because they loved him and admired his wisdom, had often occasion to consult him as an oracle, and sent him these presents by way of recompence for his advice in politics, and (whether it became his grandeur and generosity or no we will not enquire) he took all that came, even garments and spices, horses and mules, Kg1 10:24, Kg1 10:25.
5.He traded to Egypt for horses and linen-yarn (or, as some read it, linen-cloth), the staple commodities of that country, and had his own merchants or factors whom he employed in this traffic and who were accountable to him, Kg1 10:28, Kg1 10:28. The custom to be paid to the king of Egypt for exported chariots and horses out of Egypt was very high, but (as bishop Patrick understands it) Solomon, having married his daughter, got him to compound for the customs, so that he could bring them up cheaper than his neighbours, which obliged them to buy them of him, which he was wise enough no doubt to make his advantage of. This puts an honour upon the trading part of a nation, and sets a tradesman not so much below a gentleman as some place him, that Solomon, one of the greatest men that ever was, thought it no disparagement to him to deal in trade. In all labour there is profit.
II.What use he made of his wealth.
He did not hoard it up in his coffers, that he might have it to look upon and leave behind him. He has, in his Ecclesiastes, so much exposed the folly of hoarding that we cannot suppose he would himself be guilty of it. No, God that had given him riches, and wealth, and honour, gave him also power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, Ecc 5:19.
1.He laid out his gold in fine things for himself, which he might the better be allowed to do when he had before laid out so much in fine things for the house of God.
(1.)He made 200 targets, and 300 shields, of beaten gold (Kg1 10:16, Kg1 10:17), not for service, but for state, to be carried before him when he appeared in pomp. With us, magistrates have swords and maces carried before them, as the Romans had their rods and axes, in token of their power to correct and punish the bad, to whom they are to be a terror. But Solomon had shields and targets carried before him, to signify that he took more pleasure in using his power for the defence and protection of the good, to whom he would be a praise. Magistrates are shields of the earth.
(2.)He made a stately throne, on which he sat, to give laws to his subjects, audience to ambassadors, and judgment upon appeals, Kg1 10:18-20. It was made of ivory, or elephants' teeth, which was very rich; and yet, as if he had so much gold that he knew not what to do with it, he overlaid that with gold, the best gold. Yet some think he did not cover the ivory all over, but here and there. He rolled it, flowered it, or inlaid it, with gold. The stays or arms of this stately chair were supported by the images of lions in gold; so were the steps and paces by which he went up to it, to be a memorandum to him of that courage and resolution wherewith he ought to execute judgment, not fearing the face of man. The righteous, in that post, is bold as a lion.
(3.)He made all his drinking vessels, and all the furniture of his table, even at his country seat, of pure gold, Kg1 10:21. He did not grudge himself what he had, but took the credit and comfort of it, such as it was. That is good that does us good.
2.He made it circulate among his subjects, so that the kingdom was as rich as the king; for he had no separate interests of his own to consult, but sought the welfare of his people. Those princes are not governed by Solomon's maxims who think it policy to keep their subjects poor. Solomon was herein a type of Christ, who is not only rich himself, but enriches all that are his. Solomon was instrumental to bring so much gold into the country, and disperse it, that silver was nothing accounted of, Kg1 10:21. There was such plenty of it in Jerusalem that it was as the stones; and cedars, that used to be great rarities, were as common as sycamore trees, Kg1 10:27. Such is the nature of worldly wealth, plenty of it makes it the less valuable; much more should the enjoyment of spiritual riches lessen our esteem of all earthly possessions. If gold in abundance would make silver to seem so despicable, shall not wisdom, and grace, and the foretastes of heaven, which are far better than gold, make earthly wealth seem much more despicable?
Lastly, Well, thus rich, thus great, was Solomon, and thus did he exceed all the kings of the earth, Kg1 10:23. Now let us remember, 1. That this was he who, when he was setting out in the world, did not ask for the wealth and honour of it, but asked for a wise and understanding heart. The more moderate our desires are towards earthly things the better qualified we are for the enjoyment of them and the more likely to have them. See, in Solomon's greatness, the performance of God's promise (Kg1 3:13), and let it encourage us to seek first the righteousness of God's kingdom. 2. That this was he who, having tasted all these enjoyments, wrote a whole book to show the vanity of all worldly things and the vexation of spirit that attends them, their insufficiency to make us happy and the folly of setting our hearts upon them, and to recommend to us the practice of serious godliness, as that which is the whole of man, and will do infinitely more towards the making of us easy and happy than all the wealth and power that he was master of, and which, through the grace of God, is within our reach, when the thousandth part of Solomon's greatness is a thousand times more than we can ever be so vain as to promise ourselves in this world.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
This means that the knowledge of divine things must be imparted to all nations everywhere through the advent and manifestation of Christ; and Isaiah predicted the coming of Christ in the clearest way by saying, “The earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” The Scripture usually employs the symbol of silver to signify the holy doctrine [of Christ]. Indeed it is a pure, bright and sonorous metal, and its qualities are extraordinarily appropriate to Christ’s gospel. Haggai predicted that the temple of the Lord, which is the church of Christ, must be filled with this kind of silver.
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Summary
1 Kings 10:27 presents a striking, hyperbolic depiction of the unparalleled wealth and material prosperity that characterized King Solomon's reign in Jerusalem. This verse vividly illustrates a period of immense national affluence, portraying a kingdom so rich that silver became as common as stones and highly prized cedars as ubiquitous as sycamore trees in the lowlands, serving as a powerful testament to the fulfillment of divine blessing and the zenith of Israel's earthly glory.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of 1 Kings 10, which meticulously chronicles the apex of King Solomon's opulence and wisdom. It immediately follows the awe-struck visit of the Queen of Sheba, whose departure underscores the reality of Solomon's unparalleled grandeur. Verses preceding 1 Kings 10:27 detail the vast quantities of gold, ivory, and precious stones that continuously flowed into Jerusalem, along with the construction of magnificent structures and the splendor of Solomon's court. This specific verse functions as a climactic summary statement, emphasizing the sheer scale of wealth by comparing valuable commodities to common natural elements. It sets the stage for subsequent verses that detail Solomon's extensive trade networks, particularly in horses and chariots, as seen in 1 Kings 10:28-29, further cementing the picture of an economically dominant kingdom.
Historical & Cultural Context
In the ancient Near East, silver (keçeph) was a primary medium of exchange and a significant indicator of wealth, often weighed rather than counted, making its described abundance truly astonishing. This signaled an economic boom unprecedented in Israel's history. Cedars, specifically the Cedars of Lebanon (ʼerez), were highly prized for their durability, fragrance, and resistance to decay, making them ideal for grand construction projects like the Temple and Solomon's palace, as detailed in 1 Kings 6 and 1 Kings 7. Sycamore trees (shiqmâh), distinct from Western sycamores, were common fig-mulberry trees typically found in the low-lying plains ("the vale," shᵉphêlâh) of Israel. They provided softer wood often used for more utilitarian purposes. The stark comparison highlights the extraordinary availability of even the most valuable resources during Solomon's reign, reflecting a period of peace, extensive trade, and strategic alliances that facilitated such immense prosperity.
Key Themes
The primary theme conveyed by 1 Kings 10:27 is Unprecedented Abundance and Prosperity, showcasing the material zenith of the Solomonic kingdom. This wealth is not merely a testament to Solomon's shrewd economic policies but is deeply intertwined with the theme of Divine Blessing and Fulfillment of Promise. God had promised Solomon not only wisdom but also riches and honor because he sought wisdom first (see 1 Kings 3:13). Thus, the lavish descriptions of wealth serve as tangible evidence of God's faithfulness to His covenant people through their king. Furthermore, this abundance contributes to the theme of Israel's Golden Age, portraying a period when the nation enjoyed unparalleled glory and influence among surrounding nations, a direct result of God's favor and Solomon's wise, albeit eventually flawed, leadership. This pinnacle of earthly glory is often contrasted with the kingdom's subsequent decline, foreshadowing the need for a more enduring, spiritual kingdom.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
In the ancient world, silver was a precious metal, a primary form of currency, and a tangible symbol of wealth and economic power. Its description here as being "as stones" signifies an extraordinary surplus, indicating that it had lost its rarity and thus its perceived value due to sheer quantity. This hyperbole underscores the immense economic power and unprecedented prosperity of Solomon's kingdom, where a commodity typically hoarded was now treated with casual disregard due to its overwhelming abundance.
These refer specifically to the Cedars of Lebanon, renowned for their majestic size, exceptional durability, aromatic wood, and natural resistance to decay. They were highly valued building materials, particularly for grand structures like temples and palaces, and were often imported at great expense. Their comparison to common sycamore trees emphasizes the vast, almost limitless, supply of even the most premium and sought-after resources available to Solomon, highlighting the extent of his dominion and trade networks.
Distinct from the Western sycamore (a type of maple), the biblical sycomore was a fig-mulberry tree common in the lowlands ("vale") of Israel. It produced edible figs and soft, easily worked timber, often used for common construction or utilitarian furniture. The comparison of valuable cedars to these ubiquitous and less valuable trees highlights the extraordinary, almost casual, availability of high-quality timber during Solomon's reign, reinforcing the theme of superabundant resources and the kingdom's unparalleled affluence.
Verse Breakdown
"And the king made silver [to be] in Jerusalem as stones"
This clause vividly portrays the unprecedented abundance of silver within the capital city of Jerusalem. The comparison to "stones" (Hebrew, ʼeben), common pebbles or rocks, is a powerful hyperbole, suggesting that silver, typically a precious and rare commodity, was so plentiful that it was practically devalued due to its sheer quantity. It implies a level of wealth that transcended normal economic valuation, making the extraordinary seem ordinary.
"and cedars made he [to be] as the sycomore trees that [are] in the vale"
This second comparison mirrors the first, emphasizing the extraordinary availability of valuable timber. Cedars, highly prized and often imported from Lebanon, are likened to sycamore trees, which were common and grew abundantly in the low-lying valleys (the "vale," Hebrew, shᵉphêlâh) of Israel. This highlights not only the vast supply of premium building materials but also the king's immense capacity to procure, transport, and utilize them on an immense scale, indicating extensive trade, resources, and organized labor.
"for abundance"
This concluding phrase serves as a concise summary and explicit explanation for the preceding hyperbolic comparisons. It unequivocally states the reason for silver being like stones and cedars like sycamores: it was due to the sheer, overwhelming "abundance" (Hebrew, rôb) of these materials. This reinforces the central theme of unparalleled prosperity and God's lavish blessing upon Solomon's kingdom, underscoring that this wealth was not merely incidental but a defining characteristic of his reign.
Literary Devices
1 Kings 10:27 masterfully employs Hyperbole and Simile to convey the extraordinary wealth of Solomon's reign. Hyperbole is evident in the deliberate exaggeration of the comparisons: silver is not merely plentiful, but "as stones," implying it was so common it had lost its preciousness and rarity. Similarly, cedars are not just abundant, but "as the sycomore trees," which were ubiquitous and far less valuable. These exaggerations are not intended to be taken literally but serve to impress upon the reader the astonishing and almost unbelievable scale of prosperity. The repeated use of Simile, marked by the word "as" (Hebrew, kə), directly links the valuable commodities (silver, cedars) to common, less valuable elements (stones, sycamore trees). This direct comparison effectively communicates the overwhelming quantity of resources, making the abstract concept of immense wealth tangible and strikingly vivid. The combined effect of these devices is to paint a picture of unparalleled opulence, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promise of riches to Solomon and the peak of Israel's material glory.
Theological and Thematic Connections
1 Kings 10:27 stands as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness and His capacity to bless His people abundantly, particularly within the framework of His covenant promises. Solomon's unprecedented wealth was not merely a result of his wisdom or trade acumen but a direct fulfillment of God's promise to grant him "riches and honor" in addition to wisdom (see 1 Kings 3:13). This verse illustrates the peak of Israel's earthly glory, a magnificent reflection of divine favor upon a nation that, for a time, walked in obedience under a king chosen by God. It underscores the principle that when a nation or an individual prioritizes God's wisdom and kingdom, material blessings can flow, demonstrating God's desire to bless His people in every sphere of life. However, it also subtly foreshadows the dangers of such wealth, as Solomon's later deviation from God's commands (detailed in 1 Kings 11) would ultimately lead to the kingdom's decline, reminding us that true and lasting prosperity is ultimately spiritual and found in continued faithfulness to the Giver, not merely the gifts.
Reflection and Application
The description of Solomon's boundless wealth in 1 Kings 10:27 serves as a profound reminder of God's ability to provide beyond measure and to fulfill His promises in spectacular fashion. It challenges us to consider our own understanding of "abundance" and where we place our trust. While Solomon's reign was indeed a golden age of material prosperity, the subsequent narrative reveals the inherent danger of earthly riches if they lead to a turning away from God. This verse therefore calls us to reflect deeply on stewardship: how do we handle the blessings God bestows upon us? Do we recognize them as gifts from His hand, intended for His glory and the good of others, or do we allow them to become idols that subtly shift our focus from the Giver to the gifts themselves? True, lasting prosperity is not measured by the abundance of possessions, but by the depth of our relationship with God and our faithfulness in His service. This passage encourages us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all other things will be added to us, and to use whatever resources we have been given for eternal purposes, understanding that earthly treasures are fleeting.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Was Solomon's wealth a sign of God's approval, or did it eventually lead to his downfall?
Solomon's immense wealth, as described in 1 Kings 10:27, was initially a direct sign of God's approval and a fulfillment of His promise. In 1 Kings 3:13, God explicitly promised Solomon "both riches and honor" because he chose wisdom over wealth. This period represents the pinnacle of Israel's earthly glory and a tangible demonstration of God's blessing on a king who initially sought His wisdom. However, the Mosaic Law had warned kings against accumulating excessive wealth, horses, and wives, lest their hearts be turned away from God (see Deuteronomy 17:16-17). While the wealth itself was a blessing, Solomon's later actions—amassing an excessive number of foreign wives who turned his heart to other gods (as detailed in 1 Kings 11:1-8)—demonstrate that the mismanagement of blessing and a shift in focus from the Giver to the gifts ultimately contributed to his spiritual decline and the eventual division of the kingdom. So, the wealth was a blessing, but its handling revealed a spiritual vulnerability that led to his downfall.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The unparalleled earthly abundance of Solomon's kingdom, where silver was as common as stones and cedars as sycamore trees, serves as a rich foreshadowing of the far greater, spiritual abundance found in Christ. While Solomon's reign represented the pinnacle of an earthly kingdom's glory and material prosperity, it was ultimately temporary and flawed, ending in apostasy and division. Jesus, the true Son of David, establishes a kingdom that is not of this world, yet offers immeasurable and eternal riches that never fade. In Christ, we find not merely an abundance of precious metals or timber, but an inexhaustible supply of divine wisdom (as highlighted in Colossians 2:3), boundless grace (as seen in Ephesians 1:7-8), and spiritual blessings beyond measure (as described in Ephesians 1:3). The glory of Solomon's Temple, built with cedars and gold, pales in comparison to the spiritual temple of God's people, built on Christ the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20-22). Solomon's earthly reign, though magnificent, was but a shadow of the eternal, perfect reign of Jesus, who offers a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). The true "abundance" is found in Him, where spiritual riches are freely given and never diminish, leading to an eternal inheritance that can never fade, spoil, or perish (1 Peter 1:4).