1 Kings 10 16

1 Kings 10:16 kjv

And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of gold went to one target.

1 Kings 10:16 nkjv

And King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield.

1 Kings 10:16 niv

King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield.

1 Kings 10:16 esv

King Solomon made 200 large shields of beaten gold; 600 shekels of gold went into each shield.

1 Kings 10:16 nlt

King Solomon made 200 large shields of hammered gold, each weighing more than fifteen pounds.

1 Kings 10 verses

1 Kings 10 16 Meaning

This verse describes King Solomon's immense wealth and extravagant displays of luxury during his reign. It specifically details the creation of two hundred large shields, each made from six hundred shekels of hammered gold, highlighting the unparalleled opulence and resources available to him and his kingdom. These shields served as a grand testament to his riches and were likely ornamental or ceremonial rather than purely for combat.

1 Kings 10 16 Context

1 Kings chapter 10 recounts the zenith of King Solomon's glory, characterized by unparalleled wisdom, honor, and material prosperity. The preceding verses (1 Kgs 10:1-13) describe the awe-inspiring visit of the Queen of Sheba, who was overwhelmed by Solomon's wisdom and the magnificence of his court, acknowledging God's favor upon him. Verses 14-15 specify the enormous annual gold income that flowed into Solomon's treasury, setting the stage for the lavish projects described. Verse 16, detailing the gold shields, is part of a detailed inventory of his extraordinary possessions—including more gold articles, a grand ivory throne, imported goods, and abundant silver and cedar—which collectively establish that Solomon surpassed all kings on earth in wealth (1 Kgs 10:23). Historically, this period reflects the pinnacle of the united monarchy of Israel, enjoying an era of peace and unprecedented trade, a stark contrast to the constant warfare and resource struggles of preceding and succeeding kings. Yet, the Deuteronomic warning (Dt 17:16-17) against a king accumulating excessive silver and gold, horses, and wives hints at the inherent dangers of such prosperity if not managed with absolute faithfulness to God. These ceremonial shields, though symbolizing strength and blessing, were destined to be taken as plunder in the subsequent reign (1 Kgs 14:26), marking a downturn for the kingdom.

1 Kings 10 16 Word analysis

• "And King Solomon" (וַיַּעַשׂ הַמֶּלֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה, wayyaʿaś hammeleḵ šəlōmōh): "Solomon" (שְׁלֹמֹה, Shelomo), derived from the Hebrew word for peace (shalom), fittingly reigns over an era of unprecedented peace that enabled such accumulation of wealth and building projects. The title "King" (melech) underscores his supreme authority and capacity to undertake projects of this monumental scale.
• "made" (וַיַּעַשׂ, wayyaʿaś): From the verb asah (עָשָׂה), signifying active creation, manufacturing, or doing. It implies skilled craftsmanship and significant labor dedicated to this endeavor.
• "two hundred" (מָאתַיִם, matayim): A large, round number, indicative of mass production and significant scale, emphasizing the vast resources Solomon commanded.
• "large shields" (צִנָּה, tzinnah): Refers to a tsinnah (often transliterated as tzinnah), which was typically a large, oblong, full-body shield carried by infantry, as opposed to a smaller, rounder magen. Here, these golden shields were likely ceremonial or decorative, placed in the "House of the Forest of Lebanon" (1 Kgs 10:17), which served as both an armory and a grand display hall, emphasizing status and royal power rather than direct combat use.
• "of hammered gold" (זָהָב שָׁחוּט, zahav shahut): Zahav (זָהָב) means gold. Shahut (שָׁחוּט) comes from a root meaning "to be beaten out," "spread thin." This highlights a sophisticated and labor-intensive process of craftsmanship, where solid gold ingots were meticulously hammered into sheets to form the shields. This method requires considerable skill and energy, elevating the value beyond just the raw material.
• "six hundred shekels" (שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת זָהָב, sheš mēʾōṯ zāhāḇ): Shekel (שקל) was a common unit of weight and currency in ancient Israel, roughly equivalent to 11.5 grams or 0.4 troy ounces. Six hundred shekels of gold, which equates to approximately 6.9 kilograms (or about 15 pounds) of pure gold per shield, signifies an almost unfathomable amount of precious metal.
• "went into each shield": This phrase emphasizes the total quantity of gold consumed per unit, underscoring the astonishing expenditure for these items.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "King Solomon made two hundred large shields": This phrase highlights Solomon's kingly prerogative and the scale of his projects. It denotes not merely possession, but active creation stemming from immense resources and skilled labor available to the monarch during Israel's golden age.
• "of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield": This powerfully communicates the unparalleled lavishness. The specific details of "hammered gold" point to high craftsmanship and effort, while "six hundred shekels of gold" quantifies the extreme material value of each individual item. Together, they illustrate Solomon's boundless wealth and Israel's peak material prosperity, achieved through divine blessing but also carrying the inherent warning against an over-reliance on material gain, as observed later in the kingdom's history.

1 Kings 10 16 Bonus section

• The quantity of gold used in these shields, along with the three hundred smaller shields mentioned in the subsequent verse (1 Kgs 10:17), represented a massive portion of the national treasury's accumulated gold at that time. Such an investment in ceremonial items illustrates that Solomon's wealth was so immense it surpassed practical military needs for these items.
• The use of "hammered gold" indicates that these were not solid castings but skillfully wrought items where the gold was spread thin over a core material (likely wood). This technique, while still expensive, maximizes the visual impact of the gold without requiring completely solid items, a common practice in ancient precious metalwork for display.
• This extravagant display served not only as internal status symbols but also as a powerful message to visiting foreign dignitaries, reinforcing Israel's elevated standing among nations. The very tangible nature of these golden objects communicated a prosperity that went beyond mere tales.

1 Kings 10 16 Commentary

1 Kings 10:16 is a snapshot of King Solomon's extraordinary wealth, providing a concrete example of the sheer scale of his riches. The two hundred large shields, meticulously crafted from vast quantities of hammered gold, were not merely practical implements but ceremonial masterpieces. Housed in the "House of the Forest of Lebanon," they would have projected an image of invincible power and unapproachable majesty, serving as a silent declaration of Israel's preeminence under Solomon's reign. This display fulfills, in part, God's promise of riches to Solomon (1 Kgs 3:13). However, this verse, while portraying divine blessing, also subtly alludes to the potential pitfalls of immense wealth for a king. The Law specifically warned against excessive accumulation of gold (Dt 17:17) to prevent a king's heart from turning away from God. The golden shields, though initially symbols of glory, foreshadow a tragic reversal: they would be seized by an invading Egyptian king, Shishak, just a few decades later (1 Kgs 14:26), signaling the swift decline that followed Israel's period of opulence due to spiritual infidelity. This underscores the ephemeral nature of earthly riches compared to eternal spiritual treasures.