14 29<\/strong>. Solomon’s revenue, his magnificence and his traffic (2Ch 9:13-24<\/span>)<\/p>\n 14<\/strong>. six hundred threescore and six talents of gold<\/em> ] Taking the gold shekel at the value of 2, and 3000 shekels in one talent, the sum here spoken of would amount to nearly four millions of our money, which for the time of Solomon appears a very enormous revenue, especially when there are additions to be made to it, such as those spoken of in 1Ki 10:15 ; 1Ki 10:22<\/span>; 1Ki 10:25<\/span>. There can be no doubt that Solomon was one of the wealthiest monarchs in the East at that date. But the taxation must have been crushing, and with all this Oriental splendour and luxury there was rottenness within. Solomon was the Jewish Louis 14.<\/p>\n Six hundred threescore and six talents of gold – <\/B>About 3,646, 350 of our money. Solomons annual revenue exceeded that of Oriental empires very much greater in extent than his, and must have made him one of the richest, if not the very richest, of the monarchs of his time.<\/P><\/p>\n Verse 14<\/span>. The weight of gold – was six hundred threescore and six<\/B><\/I> <\/B>talents<\/B><\/I>] This would amount in our money to <\/I>4,683,675 12s<\/I>. 8 1\/2d<\/I>. sterling. This seems to be what he got annually of bullion<\/I>; but independently of this, he had tribute<\/I> of all the kings of Arabia, duties from merchantmen, and the traffic of spice merchants; see 1Kg 10:25<\/span>.<\/P> <\/p>\n Which amounts to about two millions of our money. And this gold did not come from Ophir in India, or Tarshish; but from Arabia and Ethiopia, and other parts, which then were well replenished with gold, though since exhausted by the insatiable avarice of succeeding ages. <\/P> <\/p>\n 14, 15. Now the weight of gold thatcame to Solomon in one year<\/B>666 talents, equal to 3,996,000.The sources whence this was derived are not mentioned; nor was it thefull amount of his revenue; for this was “Beside that he had ofthe merchantmen, and of the traffic of the spice merchants, and ofall the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.”The great encouragement he gave to commerce was the means ofenriching his royal treasury. By the fortifications which he erectedin various parts of his kingdom, (particularly at such places asThapsacus, one of the passages of Euphrates, and at Tadmor, in theSyrian desert), he gave complete security to the caravan trade fromthe depredations of the Arab marauders; and it was reasonable that,in return for this protection, he should exact a certain toll or dutyfor the importation of foreign goods. A considerable revenue, too,would arise from the use of the store cities and khans he built; andit is not improbable that those cities were emporia, where thecaravan merchants unloaded their bales of spices and othercommodities and sold them to the king’s factors, who, according tothe modern practice in the East, retailed them in the Western marketsat a profit. “The revenue derived from the tributary kings andfrom the governors of the country” must have consisted in thetribute which all inferior magistrates periodically bring to theirsovereigns in the East, in the shape of presents of the produce oftheir respective provinces.<\/P><\/p>\n Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty and six talents of gold.<\/strong> From Ophir and Tarshish, and wherever he traded; which was of our money, according to Berewood k, 2,997,000 pounds; or as another learned man l, who makes it equal to 5,138,520 ducats of gold.<\/p>\n k De Ponder. & Pret. c. 5. l Scheuchzer. Physic. Sacr. vol. 3. p. 580.<\/p>\n Solomon’s Wealth and the Use He Made of It (cf. 2Ch 9:13-21<\/span>). – 1Ki 10:14<\/span>. The gold which Solomon received in one year amounted to 666 talents, – more than seventeen million thalers (two million and a half sterling – Tr.). 666 is evidently a round number founded upon an approximative valuation. is rendered in the Vulg. per annos singulos<\/em>; but this is hardly correct, as the Ophir fleet, the produce of which is at any rate included, did not arrive every year, but once in three years. Thenius is wrong in supposing that this revenue merely applies to the direct taxes levied upon the Israelites. It includes all the branches of Solomon’s revenue, whether derived from his commerce by sea and land (cf. 1Ki 10:28<\/span>, 1Ki 10:29<\/span>) or from the royal domains (1Ch 27:26-31<\/span>), or received in the form of presents from foreign princes, who either visited him like the queen of Saba or sent ambassadors to him (1Ki 10:23<\/span>, 1Ki 10:24<\/span>), excepting the duties and tribute from conquered kings, which are specially mentioned in 1Ki 10:15<\/span>. , beside what came in ( ) from the travelling traders and the commerce of the merchants, and from all the kings, etc. (a combination resembling our merchantmen; cf. Ewald, 287, e., p. 721) are probably the tradesmen or smaller dealers who travelled about in the country, and the wholesale dealers. This explanation of cannot be rendered doubtful by the objection that only occurs elsewhere in connection with the wandering about of spies; for signified originally to go about, spy out, or retail scandal, and after that to trade, and go about as a tradesman. are not kings of the auxiliary and allied nations (Chald., Ges.), but kings of the mixed population, and according to Jer 25:24<\/span>, more especially of the population of Arabia Deserta ( ), which bordered upon Palestine; for rof is a mixed crowd of all kinds of men, who either attach themselves to a nation (Exo 12:38<\/span>), or live in the midst of it as foreigners (Neh 13:3<\/span>), hence a number of mercenaries (Jer 50:37<\/span>). In 2Ch 9:14<\/span>, is therefore correctly explained by the term , which does not mean the whole of Arabia, but “only a tract of country not very extensive on the east and south of Palestine” (Gesenius), as these tribes were tributary of Solomon. , the governors of the land, are probably the officers named in 1Ki 4:7-19<\/span>. As they collected the duties in the form of natural productions and delivered them in that form, so also did the tradesmen and merchants pay their duties, and the subjugated pastoral tribes of Arabia their tribute, in natura<\/em>. This explains in a very simple manner why these revenues are separated from the revenue of Solomon which came in the form of money. is a foreign word, which first found its way into the Hebrew language after the times of the Assyrians, and sprang from the Sanscrit paksha <\/em>, a companion or friend, which took the form of pakkha <\/em> in Prakrit, and probably of pakha <\/em> in the early Persian (vid., Benfey and Stern, die Monatsnamen<\/em>, p. 195).<\/p>\n Solomon’s Wealth.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/I><\/span><\/P> <\/TD> B. C.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN> 990.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/P> <\/TD> <\/TR> <\/TABLE> 14 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold, 15 Beside that he had<\/I> of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country. 16 And king Solomon made two hundred targets of<\/I> beaten gold: six hundred shekels<\/I> of gold went to one target. 17 And he made<\/I> three hundred shields of<\/I> beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon. 18 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold. 19 The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was<\/I> round behind: and there were<\/I> stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays. 20 And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom. 21 And all king Solomon’s drinking vessels were of<\/I> gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of<\/I> pure gold; none were of<\/I> silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon. 22 For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks. 23 So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. 24 And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. 25 And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year. 26 And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem. 27 And the king made silver to be<\/I> in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be<\/I> as the sycamore trees that are<\/I> in the vale, for abundance. 28 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price. 29 And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels<\/I> 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<\/I> out by their means.<\/P> We have here a further account of Solomon’s prosperity.<\/P> 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 (ch.<\/I><\/span> ix. 28<\/span>), he brought so much into his country from other places that the whole amounted, every year, to 666 talents<\/I> (v.<\/I><\/span> 14<\/span>), an ominous number, compare Rev 13:18<\/span>; Ezr 2:13<\/span>. 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, v.<\/I><\/span> 15<\/span>. 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, v.<\/I><\/span> 22<\/span>. 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, 1Ki 10:24<\/span>; 1Ki 10:25<\/span>. 5. He traded to Egypt for horses and linen-yarn (or, as some read it, linen-cloth<\/I>), 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, 1Ki 10:28<\/span>; 1Ki 10:29<\/span>. 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.<\/P> 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, Eccles. v. 19<\/span>.<\/P> 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 (1Ki 10:16<\/span>; 1Ki 10:17<\/span>), not for service, but for state, to be carried before him when he appeared in pomp. With us, magistrates have swords<\/I> and maces<\/I> carried before them, as the Romans had their rods<\/I> and axes,<\/I> in token of their power to correct and punish the bad, to whom they are to be a terror. But Solomon had shields<\/I> and targets<\/I> 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.<\/I> (2.) He made a stately throne, on which he sat, to give laws to his subjects, audience to ambassadors, and judgment upon appeals, v.<\/I><\/span> 18-20<\/span>. 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,<\/I> 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,<\/I> in that post, is bold as a lion.<\/I> (3.) He made all his drinking vessels, and all the furniture of his table, even at his country seat, of pure gold, v.<\/I><\/span> 21<\/span>. 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.<\/P> 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,<\/I> v.<\/span> 21<\/span><\/U><\/I><\/span>. 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,<\/I> v.<\/span> 27<\/span><\/U><\/I><\/span>. 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<\/I> 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?<\/P> Lastly,<\/I> Well, thus rich, thus great, was Solomon, and thus did he exceed all the kings of the earth,<\/I> v.<\/span> 23<\/span><\/U><\/I><\/span>. Now let us remember, 1. That this was he who, when he was setting out in the world,<\/I> did not ask for the wealth and honour of it, but asked for a wise and understanding heart.<\/I> 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 (ch.<\/I><\/span> iii. 13<\/span>), and let it encourage us to seek first the righteousness of God’s kingdom.<\/I> 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.<\/P><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Solomon’s Wealth, Commentary on 1Ki 10:14-29<\/span> AND <\/strong>2Ch 9:13-28<\/span> AND <\/strong>2Ch 1:14-17<\/span><\/p>\n These passages describe the vast wealth of Solomon, <\/em>accumulated by his extensive commercial enterprises, and the lavish use of it in his court and kingdom. Each year he received gold in amount of six hundred sixty-six talents (over $700 million in present -day values) besides small amounts brought in by the merchant traffic and by the kings of Arabia and governors of tributary nations. Much of this Solomon preserved in targets (small shields) and shields (large which he kept in the house of the forest of Lebanon. Here they may have been on public display and were taken up by the soldiers at times of ceremony as a kind of dress uniform. There were two hundred golden targets and three hundred shields. The gold was beaten and formed by the goldsmith.<\/em><\/p>\n Still more of the precious metal was used <\/em>in the construction of the king’s throne. Basically the throne was of ivory, a very expensive item brought from Africa, or India, by the navy. It was then overlaid with the best gold available. Six steps led up to the throne, which had a rounded back and stays (or arms), with a golden footstool attached to it. A golden lion stood at each arm of the throne (the lion was the symbol of the tribe of Judah, David’s tribe), and twelve more lions were constructed to stand on the six steps leading up to the throne. These stood one on either end of the steps It was the most elaborate throne in the earth at the time of its construction.<\/em><\/p>\n Solomon made all his drinking cups of gold, <\/em>for silver was too common for his use. The ships came home once in three years from their far off destinations, bringing such exotic items in addition to the gold and silver as ivory, apes, and peacocks. The disposition of the apes and peacocks is not mentioned, but they must have been a symbol of wealth. So Solomon rose to the acme of wealth and wisdom which the Lord promised, and thus acquired also the fame and prestige which was promised with it. Kings from all around came to pay him homage, none so notable, however as the queen of Sheba. Every one of these brought Solomon more rich presents, as vessels of silver and gold. fine garments, armor, spices, horses, and mules. That this was a part of the tribute from subject kings is indicated in the note that it came at a certain rate yearly.<\/em><\/p>\n Solomon violated one of the stipulations for the <\/em>Israelite king in <\/em>major proportions, the acquisition of horses (see De 17:16). <\/em>Horses in those times were used primarily for military purposes and in time of war. The Lord did not want His people to rely on material things for their defense, but to look to Him to take care of all their enemies. Yet Solomon bought and sold both horses and chariots, one of the chief items of trade being horses and chariots. Israel acted as the middleman in the horse trade, purchasing them from Egypt and an indefinite place called Kue <\/em>(or Keveh). <\/em>(This word is translated “linen yarn” in the Authorized King James Version, but later versions take the word as a proper noun, the name of a place.) The horses were then sold to the Hittites and Syrians to the north.<\/em><\/p>\n Solomon himself acquired four thousand stalls of horses and had twelve thousand men to see after them and train them to pull the chariots. He built special cities in which to distribute them. Solomon was surely the most powerful ruler of his time. All the kings from the Euphrates to Egypt were subject to him. Gold was said to have been as plenteous as stones in Jerusalem, and silver so common as to be little value. Cedar was also so abundantly used as to be compared in quantity to the sycamores of the vales. It seems not to have been his wealth which caused Solomon’s apostasy, however. He says, “I gathered also silver and gold,” along with many other things of material satisfaction, which in the end he concluded to be “all vanity and vexation of spirit” (Ecc 2:8<\/span>; Ecc 2:11<\/span>). God’s children should never forget the admonition of Christ (Mat 6:24<\/span>).<\/p>\n Some lessons from chapters 10 and <\/em>9: 1) Christians should attract the world in a godly manner and cause them to ask questions, and which also the Christian should be prepared to answer; 2) the world is to be justly rebuked for failure to believe the obvious truth of salvation in Christ alone; 3) the Lord blesses abundantly, as He promises, and would bless continually if people would continue in obedience to His will.<\/em><\/p>\n CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.<\/strong><\/p>\n 1Ki. 10:15<\/span>. Beside of the merchantmen, and merchants<\/strong>the words rendered merchantmen, have been conjectured to mean fines of the subject (provinces); but, literally, they signify men of the travellers<\/em> i.e.<\/em>, travelling traders dealing in the larger merchandise; then the word merchants will mean pedlers dealing in inferior wares. Yet is used in Num. 14:6<\/span> of the men Moses sent to view and report upon the land; hence some critics would here render the word by ambassadors instead of merchantmen. All the kings of Arabia<\/strong> , not of Arabia, the points will not allow of that rendering; is a mixed multitude; and these kings were kings over mixed races<\/em>the bordering tribes, Bedouins. These tributary kings and governors of the country would bring from their respective provinces, periodically, presents of the produce of their territories (see note on chap. 1Ki. 4:7-19<\/span>). <\/p>\n 1Ki. 10:16<\/span>. Targets<\/strong> is a large square shield, rounded down upon its length, covering the whole body (Lange<\/em>). <\/p>\n 1Ki. 10:18<\/span>. The best gold<\/strong>Gold of Uphaz. The throne of ivory<\/em> is not to be understood as of solid massive ivory, but inlaid. <\/p>\n 1Ki. 10:22<\/span>. A navy of Tharshish<\/strong>Tartessus in Spain, the ancient Phnician emporium, where silver was so freely obtained; but the better interpretation of the word is Tharshish navy<\/em>, a common phrase, equivalent to a strongly built fleet. Silver could have been gained from Spain, but not the gold, apes, peacocks, or ivory; these were obtainable in Africa. <\/p>\n 1Ki. 10:28<\/span>. Horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn<\/strong>A decided error here in the translation: cannot be linen yarn, it means a troop; hence the verse reads, As for the export of the horses which Solomon got from Egypt, a troop of royal merchants used to fetch a troop (of horses) at a price. The chapter thus indicates the vast wealth, splendour, and luxury of Solomons court.W. H. J.<\/p>\n HOMILETICS OF <\/em>1Ki. 10:14-29<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n THE FLOOD-TIDE OF NATIONAL PROSPERITY<\/p>\n I. Seen in the super-abundance of wealth<\/strong> (1Ki. 10:14-17<\/span>; 1Ki. 10:21-23<\/span>). Gold was so plentiful that silver was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon; he exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches. He was the ideal of an Eastern monarch, all the attributes of greatness were united in himriches, dignity, ability, fame, splendour. The Old Testament kingdom reached its culminating point in Davids Son; all the promises of temporal prosperity were fulfilled in it. Such is the nature of worldly wealth, the more abundant it is, the less valuable it is. Great fears are expressed that recent discoveries in the diamond fields of South Africa will depreciate the value of the precious stone. Oh! how ought the possession of mental and spiritual riches to lessen our love for the perishable things of earth! If we are citizens of the New Jerusalem, the very streets will be pure gold, and the walls the richest jewels; so much will our eternal blessedness exceed all earthly joy and felicity.<\/p>\n II. Seen in the external grandeur of the throne<\/strong> (1Ki. 10:18-20<\/span>). In the ruder stages of national life the king would dispense justice and promulgate law by the side of some favourite stream, under the shadow of a well-known tree, on an elevated mound of earth, at the entrance of the city, or by the side of a spear thrust into the ground; but as the monarch and people increased in wealth, these simple, primitive methods gave place to more ceremonious and ornate displays of regal greatness. Solomons throne was made of ivory inlaid with the best gold. It was erected in the Porch of Judgment, leading out of the Porch of Pillars (chap. 1Ki. 7:7<\/span>). Here Solomon sat to receive his officers of state, and foreign ambassadors and princes on important occasions, and especially to hear and decide the cases that were submitted to his judgment. The dazzling splendour of the throne was well calculated to inspire awe, and was a striking evidence of the wealth and luxury of the time.<\/p>\n III. Seen in the consummate wisdom of the ruler<\/strong> (1Ki. 10:23-25<\/span>). The wisdom of Solomon was eminently practical. It suppressed the malcontents, and ensured the peace of the kingdom. It organised a complicated and flourishing system of commerce. It raised the nation to affluence and fame, so that king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. This was in accordance with the Divine promise (1Ki. 3:13<\/span>). In the depressed condition at that time both of Egypt and Assyria, it would seem to have been literally true that Solomons kingdom was, for wealth and splendour, the first in all the world. Grandees from afar flocked to the court of the Israelitish king to listen to the profound wisdom that fell from his lips, and to learn the secret of his brilliant rule. In an age when so much depended on the character and policy of the sovereign, to be gifted with almost superhuman wisdom was a sure way of securing increased prosperity and power. Happy is the nation that, with an expanding and profitable commerce, possesses a wise and considerate king.<\/p>\n IV. Seen in the prevalence of expensive luxuries<\/strong> (1Ki. 10:21-22<\/span>; 1Ki. 10:26-29<\/span>). The drinking cups were of gold: there was no silver in them. And yet a draught of water is as sweet and refreshing from the moss-covered cistern among the hills as from the most richly-chased goblet of gold. The fleets of Solomon supplied Jerusalem with the rarities and dainties of foreign landsgold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. Wordsworth sees a sort of irony and sarcasm in the mention of apes and peacocks as the climax of the produce of the commerce of Solomon. Apes and peacocks to Solomon, the wise king at Jerusalem! To gratify curiosity, to amuse the people, and, perhaps, to while away the time of the strange women to whom Solomon clave in love, instead of cleaving to the Lord. He indulged in the costly extravagance of chariots and horses, with which he established a new species of military force, strongly discouraged by the law of Moses, and from which all previous rulers of this people had abstained. The country was mountainous, and wholly unsuited for cavalry. It was also a time of peace; and all the great victories of his father and other conquerors had been won in reliance upon the strength of the Lords arm, without using any such force, and in opposition to the enemy who employed it (Psa. 20:7<\/span>). Besides, such a number of chariots and horses was out of all proportion to so small a country; and perhaps no act of royal indulgence was more unpopular among the people. This was doubtless a strong element in the spirit of discontent which afterwards shattered the empire. Prosperity has its accompanying perils, and not the least of these is the tendency to indulge in costly and emasculating luxuries.<\/p>\n V. Marks the beginning of national decline<\/strong>. As the flood-tide of the ocean begins to ebb soon after it has registered its highest water-mark, and as the earth sinks towards the darkness and cold of winter the moment after it has risen to its highest point in the summer solstice, so the period in which a nation bursts forth into its grandest display of material splendour presents indications of inevitable decay. Wealth, fame, and the most massive works of man are perishable, while wisdom, righteousness, and moral goodness bloom with immortal beauty.<\/p>\n LESSONS:1 There is the wisdom of gold, and the gold of Wisdom <\/em><\/p>\n 2<\/em>. National prosperity is ever attended with serious perils<\/em>. <\/p>\n 3. The religious character of a nation survives the decay of its external glory<\/em>.<\/p>\n THE IVORY THRONE A SYMBOL OF REGAL GOVERNMENT<\/p>\n One of the most attractive objects in the Palace of Solomon was the great ivory throne. It was a massive and imposing structure, and exceeded in splendour anything of the kind in any other kingdom. It was in the form of an ancient round-topped, two-armed chair, with the figure of a lion on either side, probably of cast metal gilt; and fixed on an elevated platform, the ascent to which consisted of six steps, each step being adorned with the life-sized figure of a lion, facing another at the opposite end of the step. The chair of state, and the steps up to it, were covered with ivory and gold. Representations of thrones are frequent in the Egyptian and Assyrian sculptures. They have no steps up to them, but frequently stand upon square bases. The back appears to be flat at the top, not rounded. Assyrian thrones have stays or arms on either side, and they stand generally on lions feet. Ivory was a material used in them; but they were chiefly of wood and metal. We read in after years of the Parthian kings, whose throne was of gold, encompassed with four golden pillars adorned with precious stones; and of the Persian kings who sat in judgment under a golden vine and other trees of gold, the bunches of grapes and other fruits being formed of different kinds of precious stones. We may regard the throne of Solomon as a symbol of regal government<\/em>.<\/p>\n I. That regal government should be righteous in its principles<\/strong>. <\/p>\n 1. In order to maintain the dignity of the throne<\/em>. Ivory and gold were emblems of purity, and point out the incorruption that should belong to kings, whose duty it is to administer justice with the utmost strictness and purity. The dignity of the judge consists, not in the richness of his robe or in the splendour of his surroundings, but in the justness and integrity of his decisions. Where partiality and injustice predominate, the dignity is transferred to the innocent prisoner, who is unrighteously accused and condemned. <\/p>\n 2. In order to enforce the authority of the law<\/em>. A selfish, corrupt, time-serving government has endless difficulty, and has to resort to the most brutal methods in enforcing its authority. Its laws are an insult, and their maintainance an intolerable cruelty. The throne is secure in itself, and in the willing obedience of the people, only as it is based in righteousness. That king is truly glorious who makes his subjects affluent and happy under his wise and righteous administration. Solomon on his ivory throne is typical of Him who is greater than Solomon, seated on the great white throne of Judgment, pronouncing sentence on the eternal state of men and angels (Rev. 20:2<\/span>). Justice and judgment are the habitation of the Divine throne (Psa. 89:14<\/span>).<\/p>\n II. That regal government should be imposing in its administration<\/strong>. <\/p>\n 1. In outward ceremony<\/em>. The glittering throne, the stately figure of the king, the numerous attendants, and the solemnity of the order of proceeding could not fail to impress the spectators with the awful majesty and power of law. The magistrate is to be a terror to evil-doers (Rom. 13:3<\/span>). All legitimate external means should be adopted that will tend to beget a wholesome reverence of law, not simply to create a slavish dread. It is said that Attila, king of the Huns, had a custom of fiercely rolling his small, deep-set eyes, as if he wished to enjoy the terror he inspired. Law has nothing terrifying in it to the innocent. <\/p>\n 2. In moral significance<\/em>. The lions which supported and adorned the throne not only signified its stability, but also the vigilance with which the prince watched over the interests of the kingdom, and the courage and power with which he defended his people. The arms of Assyrian thrones are occasionally supported by figures of animals. The throne of Rameses II., at Medinet Abou, has a sphinx at the side, and a lion below the sphinx. As the lion is the natural king of beasts, so the figure of the lion is naturally adopted by any imaginative race as an emblem of sovereignty. The object of all true government should be, not simply to indulge in outward display, but to teach, in every possible way, the lessons of truth, righteousness, and virtue. The throne should be more conspicuous for moral excellencies than for ivory and gold.<\/p>\n III. That regal government should be beneficent in its aims<\/strong>. The twelve lions represented the twelve tribes of Israel united under one sovereign. The ruler should aim at uniting the people under his care into a law-abiding, industrious, and virtuous nation. Government is instituted, not to gratify the ambition and lust of the few, but to promote the best welfare of the many. No government can be permanent that does not aim at this. Thrones may fall, dynasties pass away, but righteousness abides for ever.<\/p>\n LESSONS:<\/p>\n 1. Justice is the weapon and defence of all true government<\/em>. <\/p>\n 2. Great is the responsibility and glorious the reward of the righteous ruler<\/em>. <\/p>\n 3. The throne of Jesus is impregnable, and will survive all the thrones of earth<\/em>.<\/p>\n GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES<\/em><\/p>\n 1Ki. 10:14-29<\/span>. The glory of Solomon<\/strong>. I. Wherein it lay<\/em>. Power, dominion, pomp, splendour, glory, and honour, everything that men wish or desire in this world, all these we see before us in the life of this one man. But the glory of man is as the grass of the field, which fades and withers; truly, the lilies of the field exceed it in glory, and Solomon himself confessed, All is vanity (Ecc. 1:2<\/span>; Ecc. 2:11<\/span>; Psa. 49:17-18<\/span>).<\/p>\n II. Its significance for us<\/em>. That we should seek after that other and imperishable glory, prepared for us by Him who is greater than Solomon (Joh. 17:24<\/span>). Scarcely one of many thousands can attain to the glory of Solomon, but to the glory of God we are all called (1Th. 2:12<\/span>). If our life be hidden with Christ in God, then, &c. (Col. 3:3-4<\/span>). Therefore shall we rejoice in the hope of future glory, and not only so, but in tribulations also (Rom. 5:2-3<\/span>; 2Co. 4:17-18<\/span>).<\/p>\n Power and dominion<\/strong>. I. The responsibility involved therein<\/em>. To whom much is given, of him shall much be required (Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible <\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n