I want to begin to develop some Bible study skills, get the feel for the lay of the land, so to speak, before attacking my main objective. Solomon’s Wealth is a simple place to start. That’s the title of a section of 1 Kings (1 Kings 10:14-28 NET) in the Old Testament that lists the accumulated wealth and power of the third king of Israel.
Solomon received 666 talents of gold per year,1 besides what he collected from the merchants, traders, Arabian kings, and governors of the land. King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; 600 measures of gold were used for each shield. He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold were used for each of these shields. The king placed them in the Palace of the Lebanon Forest.
The king made a large throne decorated with ivory and overlaid it with pure gold. There were six steps leading up to the throne, and the back of it was rounded on top. The throne had two armrests with a statue of a lion standing on each side. There were twelve statues of lions on the six steps, one lion at each end of each step. There was nothing like it in any other kingdom.
All of King Solomon’s cups were made of gold, and all the household items in the Palace of the Lebanon Forest were made of pure gold. There were no silver items, for silver was not considered very valuable in Solomon’s time. Along with Hiram’s fleet, the king had a fleet of large merchant ships that sailed the sea. Once every three years the fleet came into port with cargoes of gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.2
King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth. Everyone in the world wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom. Year after year visitors brought their gifts, which included items of silver, items of gold, clothes, perfume, spices, horses, and mules.
Solomon accumulated chariots and horses. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses. He kept them in assigned cities and in Jerusalem.3
The king made silver as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones; cedar was as plentiful as sycamore fig trees are in the lowlands. Solomon acquired his horses from Egypt and from Que; the king’s traders purchased them from Que.
So Solomon was rich, powerful and wise. Okay, I can buy that. I’ve heard scholars argue against his wealth relative to Egypt. I realize the text says wealthier than any other king. But I’m not looking for trouble. Wiser than any other king is not even something I know how to quantify. So, in a general way I can apply the simple syllogism: God said it. I believe it. That settles it. Solomon was rich, powerful and wise.
Eventually, a pernicious little question starts to gnaw at my certainty and peace of mind: “So what?” If God said it, why did He say it? What did He mean by it?
Addendum: March 21, 2020
The Elpenor version of the Septuagint and NETS have 1 Kings 9:15, 17-22 between 1 Kings 10:22 and 10:23.
| Masoretic Text | Septuagint | ||
| 1 Kings 9:15, 17-22 (Tanakh) | 1 Kings 9:15, 17-22 (NET) | 3 Reigns 10:22a-c (NETS) |
3 Kings 10:22α-γ (Elpenor English) |
| And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer. | Here are the details concerning the work crews King Solomon conscripted to build the Lord’s temple, his palace, the terrace, the wall of Jerusalem, and the cities of Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer. | This was the business of the foraging that King Salomon brought to build the house of the Lord and the house of the king and the wall of Ierousalem and the citadel, to fortify all round the fence of the city of Dauid and Assour and Magdan and Gazer and Upper Baithoron and Iethermath and all the cities for the chariots and all the cities for the horsemen and the business of Salomon which he was engaged in, to build in Ierousalem and in all the land, | This was the arrangement of the provision which king Solomon fetched to build the house of the Lord, and the house of the king, and the wall of Jerusalem, and the citadel; to fortify the city of David, and Assur, and Magdal, and Gazer, and Baethoron the upper, and Jethermath, and all the cities of the chariots, and all the cities of the horsemen, and the fortification of Solomon which he purposed to build in Jerusalem and in all the land, so that none of the people should rule over him. |
| And Solomon built Gezer, and Bethhoron the nether, | Solomon built up Gezer, lower Beth Horon, | ||
| And Baalath, and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land, | Baalath, Tadmor in the wilderness, | ||
| And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion. | all the storage cities that belonged to him, and the cities where chariots and horses were kept. He built whatever he wanted in Jerusalem, Lebanon, and throughout his entire kingdom. | ||
| And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel, | Now several non-Israelite peoples were left in the land after the conquest of Joshua, including the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. | so that all the people who remained of the Chettite and of the Amorrite and of the Pherezite and of the Chananite and of the Heuite and of the Iebousite and of the Gergesite, those who were not of the sons of Israel— their children who remained after them in the land, those whom the sons of Israel were not able to destroy—would not rule over him. And Salomom brought them under tribute until this day. | All the people that was left of the Chettite and the Amorite, and the Pherezite, and the Chananite, and the Evite, and the Jebusite, and the Gergesite, who were not of the children of Israel, their descendants who had been left with him in the land, whom the children of Israel could not utterly destroy; and Solomon made them tributaries until this day. |
| Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day. | Their descendants remained in the land (the Israelites were unable to wipe them out completely). Solomon conscripted them for his work crews, and they continue in that role to this very day. | ||
| But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they were men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen. | Solomon did not assign Israelites to these work crews; the Israelites served as his soldiers, attendants, officers, charioteers, and commanders of his chariot forces. | And from the sons of Israel Salomon exacted nothing, for they were men who fought, and his servants and captains of his chariots and his horsemen. | But of the children of Israel Solomon made nothing; for they were the warriors, and his servants and rulers, and captains of the third order, and the captains of his chariots, and his horsemen. |
The Elpenor version of the Septuagint and NETS have 1 Kings 4:21 between 1 Kings 10:26 and 10:27.
|
Masoretic Text |
Septuagint | ||
| 1 Kings 4:21 (Tanakh) | 1 Kings 4:21 (NET) | 3 Reigns 10:26a (NETS) |
3 Kings 10:26β (Elpenor English) |
| And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life. | Solomon ruled all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms paid tribute as Solomon’s subjects throughout his lifetime. | And he was ruling all the kings from the river and as far as the land of allophyles and to the borders of Egypt. | and he ruled over all the kings from the river to the land of the Philistines, and to the borders of Egypt. |
Tables comparing 1 Kings 10:14; 10:15; 10:16; 10:17; 10:18; 10:19; 10:20; 10:21; 10:22; 9:15; 9:17; 9:18; 9:19; 9:20; 9:21; 9:22; 10:23; 10:24; 10:25; 10:26; 4:21; 10:27 and 10:28 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing 1 Kings (3 Kings, 3 Reigns) 10:14; 10:15; 10:16; 10:17; 10:18; 10:19; 10:20; 10:21; 10:22; 9:15 (10:22α-1); 9:17 (10:22α-2); 9:18 (10:22α-3); 9:19 (10:22α-4); 9:20 (10:22β-1); 9:21 (10:22β-2); 9:22 (10:22γ); 10:23; 10:24; 10:25; 10:26; 4:21 (10:26a, 10:26β); 10:27 and 10:28 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.
| 1 Kings 10:14 (KJV) | ||
| Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold, | Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold, | Solomon received 666 talents of gold per year, |
| καὶ ἦν ὁ σταθμὸς τοῦ χρυσίου τοῦ ἐληλυθότος τῷ Σαλωμων ἐν ἐνιαυτῷ ἑνὶ ἑξακόσια καὶ ἑξήκοντα ἓξ τάλαντα χρυσίου | Καὶ ἦν ὁ σταθμὸς τοῦ χρυσίου τοῦ ἐληλυθότος τῷ Σαλωμὼν ἐν ἐνιαυτῷ ἑνὶ ἑξακόσια καὶ ἐξηκοντα ὲξ τάλαντα χρυσίου, |
| And the weight of gold that had come to Salomon in one year was six hundred sixty-six talents of gold, | And the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold. |
| 1 Kings 10:15 (KJV) | ||
| Beside that he had 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. | Beside that he had 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. | besides what he collected from the merchants, traders, Arabian kings, and governors of the land. |
| χωρὶς τῶν φόρων τῶν ὑποτεταγμένων καὶ τῶν ἐμπόρων καὶ πάντων τῶν βασιλέων τοῦ πέραν καὶ τῶν σατραπῶν τῆς γῆς | χωρὶς τῶν φόρων τῶν ὑποτεταγμένων καὶ τῶν ἐμπόρων καὶ πάντων τῶν βασιλέων τοῦ πέραν καὶ τῶν σατραπῶν τῆς γῆς |
| besides the tributes from those subjected and from the merchants and from all the kings who are from beyond the satraps of the land. | Besides the tributes of them that were subjects, both merchants and all the kings of the [country] beyond [the river], and of the princes of the land. |
| 1 Kings 10:16 (KJV) | ||
| And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of gold went to one target. | And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of gold went to one target. | King Solomon made 200 large shields of hammered gold; 600 measures of gold were used for each shield. |
| καὶ ἐποίησεν Σαλωμων τριακόσια δόρατα χρυσᾶ ἐλατά τριακόσιοι χρυσοῗ ἐπῆσαν ἐπὶ τὸ δόρυ τὸ ἕν | καὶ ἐποίησε Σαλωμὼν τριακόσια δόρατα χρυσᾶ ἐλατά. —τριακόσιοι χρυσοῖ ἐπῆσαν ἐπὶ τὸ δόρυ τὸ ἓν— |
| And Salomon made three hundred beaten gold spears; three hundred gold pieces went into one spear. | And Solomon made three hundred spears of beaten gold: three hundred shekels of gold were upon one spear. |
| 1 Kings 10:17 (KJV) | ||
| And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon. | And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon. | He also made 300 small shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold were used for each of these shields. The king placed them in the Palace of the Lebanon Forest. |
| καὶ τριακόσια ὅπλα χρυσᾶ ἐλατά τρεῗς μναῗ χρυσίου ἐνῆσαν εἰς τὸ ὅπλον τὸ ἕν καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὰ εἰς οἶκον δρυμοῦ τοῦ Λιβάνου | καὶ τριακόσια ὅπλα χρυσᾶ ἐλατὰ —καὶ τρεῖς μναῖ ἐνῆσαν χρυσοῦ εἰς τὸ ὅπλον τὸ ἓν— καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὰ ὁ βασιλεὺς εἰς οἶκον δρυμοῦ τοῦ Λιβάνου |
| And he made three hundred beaten gold weapons; three minas of gold went into the one weapon, and he put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon. | And three hundred shields of beaten gold: and three pounds of gold were in one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon. |
| 1 Kings 10:18 (KJV) | ||
| Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold. | Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold. | The king made a large throne decorated with ivory and overlaid it with pure gold. |
| καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ βασιλεὺς θρόνον ἐλεφάντινον μέγαν καὶ περιεχρύσωσεν αὐτὸν χρυσίῳ δοκίμῳ | καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ βασιλεὺς θρόνον ἐλεφάντινον μέγαν καὶ περιεχρύσωσεν αὐτὸν χρυσίῳ δοκίμῳ |
| And the king made a great ivory throne and gilded it with pure gold; | And the king made a great ivory throne, and gilded it with pure gold. |
| 1 Kings 10:19 (KJV) | ||
| The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays. | The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays. | There were six steps leading up to the throne, and the back of it was rounded on top. The throne had two armrests with a statue of a lion standing on each side. |
| ἓξ ἀναβαθμοὶ τῷ θρόνῳ καὶ προτομαὶ μόσχων τῷ θρόνῳ ἐκ τῶν ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ καὶ χεῗρες ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν ἐπὶ τοῦ τόπου τῆς καθέδρας καὶ δύο λέοντες ἑστηκότες παρὰ τὰς χεῗρας | ἓξ ἀναβαθμοὶ ἐν θρόνῳ καὶ προτομαὶ μόσχων τῷ θρόνῳ ἐκ τῶν ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ καὶ χεῖρες ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν ἐπὶ τοῦ τόπου τῆς καθέδρας, καὶ δύο λέοντες ἑστηκότες παρὰ τὰς χεῖρας |
| the throne had six steps, and the throne had heads of calves in relief behind it and on this side and on that, on the place of the seat, were arms and two lions standing beside the arms | The throne [had] six steps, and calves in bold relief to the throne behind it, and side-pieces on either hand of the place of the seat, and two lions standing by the side-pieces, |
| 1 Kings 10:20 (KJV) | ||
| and twelve lions standing on this side and on that, on the six steps; it was not done so in any kingdom. | 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. | There were twelve statues of lions on the six steps, one lion at each end of each step. There was nothing like it in any other kingdom. |
| καὶ δώδεκα λέοντες ἑστῶτες ἐπὶ τῶν ἓξ ἀναβαθμῶν ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν οὐ γέγονεν οὕτως πάσῃ βασιλείᾳ | καὶ δώδεκα λέοντες ἑστῶτες ἐκεῖ ἐπὶ τῶν ἓξ ἀναβαθμῶν ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν· οὐ γέγονεν οὕτως πάσῃ βασιλείᾳ |
| and twelve lions standing on this side and on that, on the six steps; it was not done so in any kingdom. | and twelve lions standing there on the six steps on either side: it was not so done in any [other] kingdom. |
| 1 Kings 10:21 (KJV) | ||
| And all king Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon. | And all king Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon. | All of King Solomon’s cups were made of gold, and all the household items in the Palace of the Lebanon Forest were made of pure gold. There were no silver items, for silver was not considered very valuable in Solomon’s time. |
| καὶ πάντα τὰ σκεύη τοῦ πότου Σαλωμων χρυσᾶ καὶ λουτῆρες χρυσοῗ πάντα τὰ σκεύη οἴκου δρυμοῦ τοῦ Λιβάνου χρυσίῳ συγκεκλεισμένα οὐκ ἦν ἀργύριον ὅτι οὐκ ἦν λογιζόμενον ἐν ταῗς ἡμέραις Σαλωμων | καὶ πάντα τὰ σκεύη τὰ ὑπὸ τοῦ Σαλωμὼν γεγονότα χρυσᾶ καὶ λουτῆρες χρυσοῖ, καὶ πάντα τὰ σκεύη οἴκου δρυμοῦ τοῦ Λιβάνου χρυσίῳ συγκεκλεισμένα, οὐκ ἦν ἀργύριον, ὅτι οὐκ ἦν λογιζόμενον ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις Σαλωμών |
| And all Salomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and gold washbasins, all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon, were of overlaid with gold; there was no silver, for it was not reckoned in the days of Salomon. | And all the vessels made by Solomon [were] of gold, and the lavers [were] golden, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; there was no silver, for it was not accounted of in the days of Solomon. |
| 1 Kings 10:22 (KJV) | ||
| 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. | 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. | Along with Hiram’s fleet, the king had a fleet of large merchant ships that sailed the sea. Once every three years the fleet came into port with cargoes of gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. |
| ὅτι ναῦς Θαρσις τῷ βασιλεῗ ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ μετὰ τῶν νηῶν Χιραμ μία διὰ τριῶν ἐτῶν ἤρχετο τῷ βασιλεῗ ναῦς ἐκ Θαρσις χρυσίου καὶ ἀργυρίου καὶ λίθων τορευτῶν καὶ πελεκητῶν | ὅτι ναῦς Θαρσὶς τῷ βασιλεῖ Σαλωμὼν ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ μετὰ τῶν νηῶν Χιράμ, μία διὰ τριῶν ἐτῶν ἤρχετο τῷ βασιλεῖ ναῦς ἐκ θαρσὶς χρυσίου καὶ ἀργυρίου καὶ λίθων τορευτῶν καὶ πελεκητῶν. |
| For the king had a ship of Tharsis at sea with the ships of Chiram, one ship used to come to the king from Tharsis every three years with gold and silver and carved and hewn stones. | For Solomon had a ship of Tharsis in the sea with the ships of Chiram: one ship came to the king every three years out of Tharsis, [laden with] gold and silver, and wrought stones, and hewn stones. |
| 1 Kings 9:15 (KJV) | ||
| And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer. | And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer. | Here are the details concerning the work crews King Solomon conscripted to build the Lord’s temple, his palace, the terrace, the wall of Jerusalem, and the cities of Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer. |
| NA | Αὕτη ἦν ἡ πραγματεία τῆς προνομῆς, ἧς ἀνήνεγκεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Σαλωμὼν οἰκοδομῆσαι τὸν οἶκον Κυρίου καὶ τὸν οἶκον τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ τὸ τεῖχος ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ καὶ τὴν ἄκραν, τοῦ περιφράξαι τὸν φραγμὸν τῆς πόλεως Δαυὶδ καὶ τὴν ᾿Ασσοὺρ καὶ τὴν Μαγδὰλ καὶ τὴν Γαζὲρ |
| This was the business of the foraging that King Salomon brought to build the house of the Lord and the house of the king and the wall of Ierousalem and the citadel, to fortify all round the fence of the city of Dauid and Assour and Magdan and Gazer | This was the arrangement of the provision which king Solomon fetched to build the house of the Lord, and the house of the king, and the wall of Jerusalem, and the citadel; to fortify the city of David, and Assur, and Magdal, and Gazer, |
| 1 Kings 9:17 (KJV) | ||
| And Solomon built Gezer, and Bethhoron the nether, | And Solomon built Gezer, and Bethhoron the nether, | Solomon built up Gezer, lower Beth Horon, |
| NA | καὶ τὴν Βαιθωρὼν τὴν ἀνωτέρω |
| and Upper Baithoron | and Baethoron the upper, |
| 1 Kings 9:18 (KJV) | ||
| And Baalath, and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land, | And Baalath, and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land, | Baalath, Tadmor in the wilderness, |
| NA | καὶ τὴν ᾿Ιεθαρμὰθ |
| and Iethermath | and Jethermath, |
| 1 Kings 9:19 (KJV) | ||
| And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion. | And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion. | all the storage cities that belonged to him, and the cities where chariots and horses were kept. He built whatever he wanted in Jerusalem, Lebanon, and throughout his entire kingdom. |
| NA | καὶ πάσας τὰς πόλεις τῶν ἁρμάτων καὶ πάσας τὰς πόλεις τῶν ἱππέων καὶ τὴν πραγματείαν Σαλωμών, ἣν ἐπραγματεύσατο οἰκοδομῆσαι ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ καὶ ἐν πάσῃ τῇ γῇ, τοῦ μὴ κατάρξαι αὐτοῦ |
| and all the cities for the chariots and all the cities for the horsemen and the business of Salomon which he was engaged in, to build in Ierousalem and in all the land, | and all the cities of the chariots, and all the cities of the horsemen, and the fortification of Solomon which he purposed to build in Jerusalem and in all the land, so that none of the people should rule over him. |
| 1 Kings 9:20 (KJV) | ||
| And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel, | And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel, | Now several non-Israelite peoples were left in the land after the conquest of Joshua, including the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. |
| NA | πάντα τὸν λαὸν τὸν ὑπολελειμμένον ὑπὸ τοῦ Χετταίου καὶ τοῦ ᾿Αμορραίου καὶ τοῦ Φερεζαίου καὶ τοῦ Χαναναίου καὶ τοῦ Εὐαίου καὶ τοῦ ᾿Ιεβουσαίου καὶ τοῦ Γεργεσαίου, τῶν μὴ ἐκ τῶν υἱῶν ᾿Ισραὴλ ὄντων |
| so that all the people who remained of the Chettite and of the Amorrite and of the Pherezite and of the Chananite and of the Heuite and of the Iebousite and of the Gergesite, those who were not of the sons of Israel— | All the people that was left of the Chettite and the Amorite, and the Pherezite, and the Chananite, and the Evite, and the Jebusite, and the Gergesite, who were not of the children of Israel, |
| 1 Kings 9:21 (KJV) | ||
| Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day. | Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day. | Their descendants remained in the land (the Israelites were unable to wipe them out completely). Solomon conscripted them for his work crews, and they continue in that role to this very day. |
| NA | τὰ τέκνα αὐτῶν τὰ ὑπολελειμμένα μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ γῇ, οὓς οὐκ ἐδύναντο οἱ υἱοὶ ᾿Ισραὴλ ἐξολοθρεῦσαι αὐτούς, καὶ ἀνήγαγεν αὐτοὺς Σαλωμὼν εἰς φόρον ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης |
| their children who remained after them in the land, those whom the sons of Israel were not able to destroy—would not rule over him. And Salomom brought them under tribute until this day. | their descendants who had been left with him in the land, whom the children of Israel could not utterly destroy; and Solomon made them tributaries until this day. |
| 1 Kings 9:22 (KJV) | ||
| But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they were men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen. | But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they were men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen. | Solomon did not assign Israelites to these work crews; the Israelites served as his soldiers, attendants, officers, charioteers, and commanders of his chariot forces. |
| NA | καὶ ἐκ τῶν υἱῶν ᾿Ισραὴλ οὐκ ἔδωκε Σαλωμὼν πρᾶγμα, ὅτι αὐτοὶ ἦσαν ἄνδρες οἱ πολεμισταὶ καὶ παῖδες αὐτοῦ καὶ ἄρχοντες καὶ τρισσοὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἄρχοντες τῶν ἁρμάτων αὐτοῦ καὶ ἱππεῖς αὐτοῦ |
| And from the sons of Israel Salomon exacted nothing, for they were men who fought, and his servants and captains of his chariots and his horsemen. | But of the children of Israel Solomon made nothing; for they were the warriors, and his servants and rulers, and captains of the third order, and the captains of his chariots, and his horsemen. |
| 1 Kings 10:23 (KJV) | ||
| So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. | So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. | King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth. |
| καὶ ἐμεγαλύνθη Σαλωμων ὑπὲρ πάντας τοὺς βασιλεῗς τῆς γῆς πλούτῳ καὶ φρονήσει | Καὶ ἐμεγαλύνθη Σαλωμὼν ὑπὲρ πάντας τοὺς βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς πλούτῳ καὶ φρονήσει |
| And Salomon was greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and in discernment. | And Solomon increased beyond all the kings of the earth in wealth and wisdom. |
| 1 Kings 10:24 (KJV) | ||
| And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. | And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. | Everyone in the world wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom. |
| καὶ πάντες βασιλεῗς τῆς γῆς ἐζήτουν τὸ πρόσωπον Σαλωμων τοῦ ἀκοῦσαι τῆς φρονήσεως αὐτοῦ ἧς ἔδωκεν κύριος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ | καὶ πάντες βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς ἐζήτουν τὸ πρόσωπον Σαλωμὼν τοῦ ἀκοῦσαι τῆς φρονήσεως αὐτοῦ, ἧς ἔδωκε Κύριος τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ |
| And all the kings of the earth were seeking the face of Salomon to hear his discernment, which the Lord gave into his heart. | And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom which the Lord [had] put into his heart. |
| 1 Kings 10:25 (KJV) | ||
| 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. | 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. | Year after year visitors brought their gifts, which included items of silver, items of gold, clothes, perfume, spices, horses, and mules. |
| καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔφερον ἕκαστος τὰ δῶρα αὐτοῦ σκεύη χρυσᾶ καὶ ἱματισμόν στακτὴν καὶ ἡδύσματα καὶ ἵππους καὶ ἡμιόνους τὸ κατ᾽ ἐνιαυτὸν ἐνιαυτόν | καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔφερον ἕκαστος τὰ δῶρα, σκεύη χρυσᾶ καὶ ἱματισμόν, στακτὴν καὶ ἡδύσματα καὶ ἵππους καὶ ἡμιόνους τὸ κατ᾿ ἐνιαυτὸν ἐνιαυτῷ |
| And they each would bring their gifts, gold utensils and raiment, oil of myrrh and spices and horses and mules, this every year by year. | And they brought every one their gifts, vessels of gold, and raiment, and stacte, and spices, and horses, and mules, a rate year by year. |
| 1 Kings 10:26 (KJV) | ||
| 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. | 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. | Solomon accumulated chariots and horses. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses. He kept them in assigned cities and in Jerusalem. |
| καὶ ἦσαν τῷ Σαλωμων τέσσαρες χιλιάδες θήλειαι ἵπποι εἰς ἅρματα καὶ δώδεκα χιλιάδες ἱππέων καὶ ἔθετο αὐτὰς ἐν ταῗς πόλεσι τῶν ἁρμάτων καὶ μετὰ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐν Ιερουσαλημ | καὶ ἦσαν τῷ Σαλωμὼν τέσσαρες χιλιάδες θήλειαι ἵπποι εἰς ἅρματα καὶ δώδεκα χιλιάδες ἱππέων, καὶ ἔθετο αὐτὰς ἐν ταῖς πόλεσι τῶν ἁρμάτων καὶ μετὰ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλήμ |
| And Salomon had four thousand mares for chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, and he put them in the cities for the chariots and with the king in Ierousalem. | And Solomon had four thousand mares for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen: and he put them in the cities of his chariots, and with the king in Jerusalem: |
| 1 Kings 4:21 (KJV) | ||
| And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life. | And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life. | Solomon ruled all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms paid tribute as Solomon’s subjects throughout his lifetime. |
| NA | καὶ ἦν ἡγούμενος πάντων τῶν βασιλέων ἀπὸ τοῦ ποταμοῦ καὶ ἕως γῆς ἀλλοφύλων καὶ ἕως ὁρίων Αἰγύπτου |
| And he was ruling all the kings from the river and as far as the land of allophyles and to the borders of Egypt. | and he ruled over all the kings from the river to the land of the Philistines, and to the borders of Egypt. |
| 1 Kings 10:27 (KJV) | ||
| And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore trees that are in the vale, for abundance. | And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore trees that are in the vale, for abundance. | The king made silver as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones; cedar was as plentiful as sycamore fig trees are in the foothills. |
| καὶ ἔδωκεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τὸ χρυσίον καὶ τὸ ἀργύριον ἐν Ιερουσαλημ ὡς λίθους καὶ τὰς κέδρους ἔδωκεν ὡς συκαμίνους τὰς ἐν τῇ πεδινῇ εἰς πλῆθος | καὶ ἔδωκεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τὸ χρυσίον καὶ τὸ ἀργύριον ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ ὡς λίθους, καὶ τὰς κέδρους ἔδωκεν ὡς συκαμίνους τὰς ἐν τῇ πεδινῇ εἰς πλῆθος |
| And the king gave gold and silver in Ierousalem like stones, and he gave the cedars like sycamores that are in a plain in abundance. | And the king made gold and silver in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as the sycamores in the plain for multitude. |
| 1 Kings 10:28 (KJV) | ||
| And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price. | And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price. | Solomon acquired his horses from Egypt and from Que; the king’s traders purchased them from Que. |
| καὶ ἡ ἔξοδος τῶν ἵππων Σαλωμων ἐξ Αἰγύπτου καὶ ἐκ Θεκουε ἔμποροι τοῦ βασιλέως ἐλάμβανον ἐκ Θεκουε ἐν ἀλλάγματι | καὶ ἡ ἔξοδος Σαλωμὼν τῶν ἱππέων καὶ ἐξ Αἰγύπτου καὶ ἐκ Θεκουέ, ἔμποροι τοῦ βασιλέως ἐλάμβανον ἐκ Θεκουὲ ἐν ἀλλάγματι |
| And Salomon’s import of horses was from Egypt and Thekoue, and the king’s traders would receive them from Thekoue by barter, | And the goings forth of Solomon’s horsemen [was] also out of Egypt, and the king’s merchants [were] of Thecue; and they received them out of Thecue at a price. |
1 From NET note 26:The Hebrew term כִּכָּר (kikkar, “circle”) refers generally to something that is round. When used of metals it can refer to a disk-shaped weight made of the metal or to a standard unit of weight, generally regarded as a talent. Since the accepted weight for a talent of metal is about 75 pounds, this would have amounted to about 50,000 pounds of gold (cf. NCV); CEV, NLT “twenty-five tons”; TEV “almost 23,000 kilogrammes.”
2 The Septuagint had the following additional text here: This was the arrangement of the provision which king Solomon fetched to build the house of the Lord, and the house of the king, and the wall of Jerusalem, and the citadel; to fortify the city of David, and Assur, and Magdal, and Gazer, and Baethoron the upper, and Jethermath, and all the cities of the chariots, and all the cities of the horsemen, and the fortification of Solomon which he purposed to build in Jerusalem and in all the land, so that none of the people should rule over him. All the people that was left of the Chettite and the Amorite, and the Pherezite, and the Chananite, and the Evite, and the Jebusite, and the Gergesite, who were not of the children of Israel, their descendants who had been left with him in the land, whom the children of Israel could not utterly destroy; and Solomon made them tributaries until this day. But of the children of Israel Solomon made nothing; for they were the warriors, and his servants and rulers, and captains of the third order, and the captains of his chariots, and his horsemen (3 Kings 10:22α-22γ Elpenor).
3 The Septuagint had the following additional text here: and he ruled over all the kings from the river to the land of the Philistines, and to the borders of Egypt (3 Kings 10:26β Elpenor).
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