Evidence of Solomon’s Prosperity
August 27, 2020
Commentary
Solomon’s material wealth is displayed in the next few verses. His annual income was 666 talents of gold (25 tons or 50,000 pounds) (v. 13). This excluded profits that were given to him by other merchants (v. 14). The source of this massive amount of wealth in gold and silver was both external (from all the kings of Arabia) and internal (governors in this land). With this gold he made 200 large shields, each containing 600 Bekas (7 ½ pounds) of gold, also 300 small shields … each with half that amount of gold (vv. 15-16). Solomon built a huge ivory throne and overlaid it with pure gold (v. 17-20). Everything was in gold including Solomon’s drinking glasses and table ware. Every three years the king sent out merchant ships to acquire more wealth such as gold, ivory, and baboons (v. 21)! As his wealth increased, he became known as the wealthiest ruler of his day and visitors came to see this man of great wisdom and wealth.
Solomon was the richest and wisest king in the world (vv. 22-24). The promise was fulfilled, that God would give him riches and honor, such as no kings have had or shall have. The writer points out Solomon’s military strength (v. 25) and his political power (v. 26). His empire stretched from the Euphrates River to Egypt’s border. Solomon’s wealth increased even more, as visitors came and showered gifts on him. Much of Solomon’s wealth also came about through his trading expertise (vv. 9:27-28).
Solomon reigned 40 years (971-931 B.C.) and then was succeeded by his son Rehoboam (vv. 30-31). Solomon was the wisest man on earth, able to write articles on wisdom, but he failed to live up to his own exhortations. He could rule a nation but could not rule his own heart. His multiplication of wives, his idolatry and disloyalty to God brought a sad ending to his reign.
Application
How am I using what the Lord has given to me? Am I investing in things just for show, as Solomon did, or in Heaven’s Bank? Am I sharing these things with others or keeping them to myself? One way I can do this is to provide hospitality for missionaries and others in our home.
2 Chronicles 9:13– 21 (NET)
13 Solomon received 666 talents of gold per year, 14 besides what he collected from the merchants and traders. All the Arabian kings and the governors of the land also brought gold and silver to Solomon. 15 King Solomon made 200 large shields of hammered gold; 600 measures of hammered gold were used for each shield. 16 He also made 300 small shields of hammered gold; 300 measures of gold were used for each of those shields. The king placed them in the Palace of the Lebanon Forest.
17 The king made a large throne decorated with ivory and overlaid it with pure gold. 18 There were six steps leading up to the throne, and a gold footstool was attached to the throne. The throne had two armrests with a statue of a lion standing on each side. 19 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.
20 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. 21 The king had a fleet of large merchant ships manned by Huram’s men that sailed the sea. Once every three years the fleet came into port with cargoes of gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.