1 Kings 10:29

And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred [shekels] of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring [them] out by their means.

And a chariot {H4818} came up {H5927} and went out {H3318} of Egypt {H4714} for six {H8337} hundred {H3967} shekels of silver {H3701}, and an horse {H5483} for an hundred {H3967} and fifty {H2572}: and so for all the kings {H4428} of the Hittites {H2850}, and for the kings {H4428} of Syria {H758}, did they bring them out {H3318} by their means {H3027}.

A chariot from Egypt cost fifteen pounds of silver shekels and a horse three-and-three quarters pounds [of shekels]; all the kings of the Hittim and the kings of Aram purchased them at these prices through Shlomo's agents.

A chariot could be imported from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. Likewise, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Aram.

And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty; and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means.

Commentary

1 Kings 10:29 details a significant aspect of King Solomon's vast wealth and international influence: his extensive trade in chariots and horses from Egypt. This verse provides specific prices for these military assets and reveals Solomon's role as a key intermediary in the ancient Near Eastern arms market, supplying not only his own kingdom but also neighboring rulers.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in 1 Kings chapters 9-10 that describes the unparalleled prosperity, wisdom, and grandeur of King Solomon's reign. Immediately preceding this verse, 1 Kings 10:28 already mentions Solomon's import of horses from Egypt. The passage paints a picture of a flourishing Israel, strategically positioned as a hub for international commerce and military power.

  • Egyptian Influence: Egypt was renowned for its superior chariots and horses, making them highly sought-after commodities across the region. Solomon's access to these goods underscores his strong diplomatic ties with Egypt, reinforced by his marriage to Pharaoh's daughter (1 Kings 3:1).
  • Strategic Trade: The verse highlights Israel's role as a middleman. Solomon's merchants would bring chariots and horses from Egypt and then sell them on to the kings of the Hittites (a powerful empire to the north) and the kings of Syria. This demonstrates Solomon's control over lucrative trade routes and his economic dominance.

Key Themes

  • Solomon's Immense Wealth and Power: The ability to purchase such expensive military equipment in bulk and then act as a supplier for other nations underscores Solomon's incredible financial resources and political clout. A chariot cost 600 shekels of silver, and a horse 150 shekels, indicating the high value of these items.
  • International Commerce and Diplomacy: This verse showcases the sophisticated network of trade and alliances that characterized Solomon's reign. Israel was not isolated but deeply integrated into the regional economy and political landscape.
  • Military Strength: Chariots were the most advanced military technology of the time, akin to modern tanks. Solomon's acquisition and distribution of these assets contributed significantly to his kingdom's formidable military presence, as also seen in 1 Kings 4:26, which describes his 40,000 stalls for horses and chariots.
  • Potential Spiritual Implications: While demonstrating worldly success, Solomon's accumulation of horses and gold, and his many foreign wives, directly contradicted the warnings given to future kings in Deuteronomy 17:16. This foreshadows the spiritual decline that would eventually plague Solomon's later years, as reliance on military might and material wealth can easily supersede trust in God.

Practical Application

While we don't trade chariots today, the principles embedded in this verse offer valuable insights:

  • Stewardship of Resources: Solomon was blessed with incredible resources. The verse prompts reflection on how we, too, manage the wealth, talents, and opportunities God gives us. Are they used for God's glory or merely for self-aggrandizement?
  • The Dangers of Materialism: Solomon's story, including his vast accumulation of wealth and military power, serves as a cautionary tale. When prosperity becomes an end in itself, or when trust shifts from God to material things, it can lead to spiritual compromise and eventual downfall.
  • Understanding God's Design: God intended Israel to be a light to the nations, drawing them to Him through wisdom and righteousness, not merely through economic or military dominance. This verse, while factual, can remind us to examine our own motivations and priorities in pursuing success.
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Cross-References

  • Joshua 1:4 (3 votes)

    From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.

  • 2 Kings 7:6 (3 votes)

    For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, [even] the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.

  • 2 Kings 7:7 (3 votes)

    Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it [was], and fled for their life.

  • Hosea 12:10 (1 votes)

    I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

  • Malachi 1:1 (1 votes)

    ¶ The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.