1 Kings 10:28

And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.

And Solomon {H8010} had horses {H5483} brought {H4161} out of Egypt {H4714}, and linen yarn {H4723}: the king's {H4428} merchants {H5503} received {H3947} the linen yarn {H4723} at a price {H4242}.

Shlomo's horses had been brought from Egypt and from Keveh, with the king's agents having bought them from the dealers in Keveh at the going price.

Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and Kue; the royal merchants purchased them from Kue.

And the horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt; and the king’s merchants received them in droves, each drove at a price.

Commentary

1 Kings 10:28 describes a specific aspect of King Solomon's immense wealth and extensive international trade network, highlighting his acquisition of luxury goods and strategic assets.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section (1 Kings 10) detailing the unparalleled prosperity, wisdom, and glory of King Solomon, immediately following the awe-inspiring visit of the Queen of Sheba. His wealth was not merely accumulated but was also generated through sophisticated trade routes and state-controlled enterprises. The mention of Egypt here is significant, as it was a major power and source of valuable commodities in the ancient world.

Key Themes

  • Solomon's Vast Wealth and Trade: The verse clearly illustrates the scale of Solomon's commercial operations. His "king's merchants" were actively engaged in importing goods, showcasing a highly organized and profitable economy under his rule.
  • Acquisition of Horses from Egypt: This detail is particularly noteworthy. Horses, especially warhorses and chariots, were symbols of military power and prestige in the ancient Near East. Egypt was renowned for its horses. However, this practice was explicitly forbidden for Israelite kings in Deuteronomy 17:16, which warned against multiplying horses from Egypt, lest the people return to Egypt. This foreshadows Solomon's gradual deviation from God's commands.
  • Trade in Linen Yarn: Egypt was also famous for its fine linen. The mention of "linen yarn" signifies the trade in valuable textiles and luxury goods, further underscoring the opulence of Solomon's kingdom. The phrase "linen yarn" (Hebrew: miqveh) in this context refers to the specific commodity or perhaps a "string" or "collection" of such goods.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "linen yarn" is miqveh, which can also mean "collection" or "hope." In this context, it clearly refers to a specific type of trade good. The KJV translation "linen yarn" is generally accepted as referring to the fine Egyptian linen that was highly prized. The meticulous recording of how the "king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price" emphasizes the commercial, transactional nature of these royal dealings.

Related Scriptures

  • The prohibition against multiplying horses from Egypt is found in Deuteronomy 17:16. This law was intended to prevent Israelite kings from relying on foreign military might or returning to Egyptian bondage.
  • Solomon's vast number of chariots and horsemen is also mentioned in 1 Kings 4:26.
  • Later, Solomon's heart turns from God, partly due to his accumulation of wealth and foreign wives, as detailed in 1 Kings 11:4. This verse (1 Kings 10:28) serves as an early indicator of his drift from covenant faithfulness.

Practical Application

This verse offers a subtle but profound lesson. While Solomon's prosperity was initially a blessing from God, his accumulation of horses from Egypt, contrary to divine instruction, represents a shift towards reliance on worldly power and resources rather than solely on God. It reminds us that even blessings can become a snare if they lead to disobedience or a misplaced trust. For believers today, it serves as a caution against seeking excessive material wealth or worldly strength (like trusting in chariots and horses) over humble dependence on God's provision and guidance. True security and lasting prosperity come from obedience to God's word, not from accumulated earthly treasures.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 17:16 (7 votes)

    But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.

  • 2 Chronicles 9:28 (6 votes)

    And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands.

  • Isaiah 31:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because [they are] many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

  • Isaiah 31:3 (5 votes)

    Now the Egyptians [are] men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.

  • Isaiah 36:9 (4 votes)

    How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?

  • Proverbs 7:16 (3 votes)

    I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved [works], with fine linen of Egypt.

  • 2 Chronicles 1:16 (3 votes)

    And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.