1 Kings 10:15 kjv
Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffic of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.
1 Kings 10:15 nkjv
besides that from the traveling merchants, from the income of traders, from all the kings of Arabia, and from the governors of the country.
1 Kings 10:15 niv
not including the revenues from merchants and traders and from all the Arabian kings and the governors of the territories.
1 Kings 10:15 esv
besides that which came from the explorers and from the business of the merchants, and from all the kings of the west and from the governors of the land.
1 Kings 10:15 nlt
This did not include the additional revenue he received from merchants and traders, all the kings of Arabia, and the governors of the land.
1 Kings 10 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 10:14 | Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold. | Solomon's massive annual gold income. |
| 1 Ki 10:23 | So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. | Unprecedented royal wealth. |
| 1 Ki 10:27 | And the king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars as plentiful as the sycamore trees... | Abundance and devaluation of silver. |
| 2 Chr 9:13 | Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold... | Parallel account of gold inflow. |
| 2 Chr 9:22 | And King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. | Corroborates his global preeminence. |
| 1 Ki 3:13 | ...I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor... | God's promise of added wealth to Solomon. |
| 2 Chr 1:12 | ...riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you have had... | Fulfillment of divine promise regarding riches. |
| Deut 17:16 | "He must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt... lest he accumulate large amounts of silver and gold." | Mosaic law warns kings against accumulating much gold. |
| Deut 17:17 | "And he shall not acquire many wives for himself... nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold." | Specific prohibition against acquiring excessive wealth for kings. |
| Prov 11:28 | Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. | Caution against placing trust in wealth. |
| Jer 9:23 | Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, or the mighty man boast in his might, or the rich man boast in his riches." | Humility before God, not material possessions. |
| Matt 6:19-20 | "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven..." | Earthly versus heavenly treasures. |
| Luke 12:15 | And He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." | Warning against covetousness and materialism. |
| 1 Tim 6:9-10 | But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare... For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. | Spiritual dangers associated with desire for wealth. |
| Phil 4:19 | And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. | God as the ultimate provider. |
| Ps 72:10 | May the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring tribute; May the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. | Prophecy of kings bringing tribute (echoes Solomon). |
| Isa 60:6 | A multitude of camels will cover your land... All those from Sheba will come, bringing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD. | Future nations bringing tribute to Zion (symbolic fulfillment). |
| Ezek 27:3,9 | "Tyre, you have said, 'I am perfect in beauty.' ... Your commercial skills have perfected your beauty." | Extensive merchant trade, reflecting vast commercial networks. |
| Neh 5:14 | Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor... for twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. | Reference to a "governor" (Hebrew: pāḥâ), highlighting a role. |
| Est 3:12 | Then the king's scribes were summoned... an edict was written... to the king's satraps and to the governors who were over every province and to the officials of every people. | Mentions "governors" as regional administrators. |
1 Kings 10 verses
1 Kings 10 15 Meaning
1 Kings 10:15 states that in addition to the six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold Solomon received annually, he also gained immense wealth from travelling merchants, from the general trade of various traders (especially those dealing in spices and precious goods), from all the kings of Arabia, and from the regional governors under his dominion. This verse underscores the vast and diverse sources of Solomon's unparalleled opulence, showcasing the extent of his economic power and political influence.
1 Kings 10 15 Context
1 Kings chapter 10 recounts the zenith of King Solomon's power, wisdom, and especially his unprecedented wealth. It begins with the visit of the Queen of Sheba, who marvels at Solomon's wisdom and prosperity (1 Ki 10:1-13). Following this, the chapter quantifies Solomon's annual gold intake (1 Ki 10:14) and then, in verse 15, details additional revenue streams. This section aims to convey the truly immense scale of Solomon's riches, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's promise to him for seeking wisdom first. Historically, Solomon's empire stretched from the Euphrates to the border of Egypt, encompassing various client states and trade routes, which formed the basis for this described wealth. His reign was a period of extraordinary peace and prosperity for Israel, unparalleled before or after, yet it also subtly introduces elements that would later contribute to his downfall, particularly his vast accumulation of gold, horses, and wives—all specifically prohibited for future kings in Deuteronomy.
1 Kings 10 15 Word analysis
- Besides that he had: The Hebrew word for "besides" is לְבַד (lĕḇaḏ). This word emphasizes that the following list of income sources is additional to the 666 talents of gold mentioned in the preceding verse (1 Ki 10:14). It signifies the extraordinary overflow and diversity of Solomon's wealth beyond his primary annual revenue.
- of the merchantmen: The Hebrew term is מֵאַנְשֵׁי הַתָּרִים (mê’anšê hatārim).
- ’anšê (אַנְשֵׁי): "men of," indicating a group or class of individuals.
- hatārim (הַתָּרִים): Derived from the root תוּר (tur), meaning "to search out," "explore," "spy out." In this context, it refers to those who travel extensively for business or exploration, hence "traveling merchants" or "traders who brought valuable goods from distant lands." They might also have been explorers bringing back tribute or unique findings. This highlights Solomon's far-reaching international trade networks.
- and of the traffic of the spice merchants: The Hebrew reads וּמִסְחַר הָרֹכְלִים (ūmisseḥar hāroḵəlîm).
- misseḥar (מִסְחַר): "trade," "traffic," "merchandise," referring to the activity or goods of commerce.
- hāroḵəlîm (הָרֹכְלִים): "the merchants" or "the spice merchants" (from רָכַל rakhal, "to trade," especially in perfumes, spices, and exotic wares). This suggests a vibrant economy with specialized traders dealing in luxury items, further underscoring the wealth flowing into Jerusalem.
- and of all the kings of Arabia: The Hebrew is וּמִכָּל־מַלְכֵי הָעֶרֶב (ūmikkōl-malḵê hā‘araṿ).
- malḵê (מַלְכֵי): "kings of," indicating royal tribute or commercial payments.
- hā‘araṿ (הָעֶרֶב): "Arabia." This refers to the numerous semi-independent desert kingdoms or tribal rulers of the Arabian peninsula who would have paid tribute, tariffs, or protection money to Solomon's empire for safe passage of trade routes. This demonstrates Solomon's geopolitical dominance and control over lucrative trade routes.
- and of the governors of the country: The Hebrew is וּפַחוֹת הָאָרֶץ (ūfaḥôṯ hā’āreṣ).
- paḥôṯ (פַּחוֹת): "governors" or "provincial governors." This is a title for high administrative officials, often ruling districts or provinces, similar to satraps. It implies taxation or tribute from administrative units under Solomon's direct or indirect control.
- hā’āreṣ (הָאָרֶץ): "the land" or "the country." This could refer to the vassal territories under Solomon's vast dominion or the administrative districts within Israel itself that collected revenue for the crown.
- Word-groups Analysis:
- "Besides that he had...": This phrase immediately flags the subsequent enumeration as additional to the already astounding amount of gold stated in 1 Kings 10:14. It signals an unparalleled level of accumulated wealth, far beyond simple annual revenue.
- "of the merchantmen" and "of the traffic of the spice merchants": These two phrases together indicate the twin aspects of Solomon's commercial income: direct engagement with international traders (merchantmen) and a broader, active trade economy within his realm, focusing on valuable luxury goods (spice merchants' traffic). This illustrates the economic engine of his kingdom driven by extensive commerce.
- "and of all the kings of Arabia" and "and of the governors of the country": These categories represent Solomon's political and territorial influence. "Kings of Arabia" points to foreign tributary states and commercial agreements across borders. "Governors of the country" refers to internal or subject regional administrators paying dues, underscoring the administrative control and organized revenue collection within his empire. Together, they paint a picture of an integrated and expansive system of wealth generation from both international relations and domestic governance.
1 Kings 10 15 Bonus section
The extraordinary accumulation of wealth by Solomon, as evidenced in this verse, might have involved innovative taxation systems and an expanded bureaucracy to manage and collect these diverse revenues. Solomon's reign marked a significant shift for Israel from a simple tribal confederacy to an empire with complex international relations, largely funded by trade and tribute. This verse also serves as a crucial point for later biblical reflections on kingship and material prosperity. Prophets and wisdom literature often critiqued rulers who amassed wealth at the expense of justice or who trusted in riches rather than the Lord. Therefore, while a high point in Israel's history, Solomon's wealth described here contains an implicit critique, showcasing human tendencies to prioritize what is visible over what is eternal, eventually leading to a turning away from the path of righteousness. His kingdom's wealth also supported the lavish building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem and his royal palace, which in turn spurred further economic activity and trade.
1 Kings 10 15 Commentary
1 Kings 10:15 succinctly details the comprehensive sources of King Solomon's legendary wealth, portraying a king whose economic prowess matched his renowned wisdom. It lists the revenue from various merchants involved in international trade, signaling an era of active commerce and the flow of exotic goods into Jerusalem. The mention of "kings of Arabia" and "governors of the country" further illuminates his vast geopolitical influence, with neighboring kingdoms and administrative regions paying tribute or taxes. This verse, following the staggering figure of 666 talents of gold (1 Ki 10:14), serves to magnify Solomon's unprecedented riches, affirming the divine blessing on his reign (1 Ki 3:13). Yet, it also subtly alludes to practices warned against for Israelite kings in Deuteronomy 17:16-17 – the accumulation of excessive silver and gold. While initially a sign of blessing and a reflection of God's covenant favor, this level of accumulation ultimately became a root of Solomon's later deviation, contributing to his downfall as his heart turned away from God, prioritizing worldly treasures over spiritual fidelity. The verse highlights both the glory and the potential pitfalls inherent in abundant material prosperity.