1 Kings 10 21

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.

1 Kings 10:21 nkjv

All King Solomon's drinking vessels were gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Not one was silver, for this was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon.

1 Kings 10:21 niv

All King Solomon's goblets were gold, and all the household articles in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Nothing was made of silver, because silver was considered of little value in Solomon's days.

1 Kings 10:21 esv

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; silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon.

1 Kings 10:21 nlt

All of King Solomon's drinking cups were solid gold, as were all the utensils in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. They were not made of silver, for silver was considered worthless in Solomon's day!

1 Kings 10 verses

1 Kings 10 21 Meaning

This verse highlights the unparalleled wealth of King Solomon's kingdom. It specifies that all his personal drinking vessels and all the vessels within the "House of the Forest of Lebanon"—a significant royal building likely serving as an armory or state hall—were fashioned from pure gold. Crucially, it emphasizes the complete absence of silver from these items, explaining that silver was considered of virtually no value during Solomon's reign due to the overwhelming abundance of gold he possessed. This demonstrates an unprecedented level of opulence and material prosperity.

1 Kings 10 21 Context

1 Kings 10:21 is situated within a broader section (1 Kgs 10:14-29) detailing King Solomon's immense wealth, wisdom, and extensive kingdom, immediately following the visit of the Queen of Sheba who testified to his glory (1 Kgs 10:1-13). This period represents the zenith of Israel's national power and prosperity under God's direct blessing. The verse specifically underscores the extravagance of Solomon's court and royal infrastructure, contrasting gold's absolute dominance with silver's diminished value. Historically, this level of opulence reflects Solomon's control over vast trade routes and access to rich mineral sources, enabling unprecedented accumulation of precious metals in Jerusalem, aligning with God's promise to make Solomon wealthier and wiser than any king before or after him (1 Kgs 3:13).

1 Kings 10 21 Word analysis

• All (כָּל־): Hebrew kol. This emphasizes the comprehensive and absolute nature of the gold usage, meaning "every single one" of the listed items, with no exception.
• King Solomon’s (לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה): Hebrew la-melek šĕlōmōh. Refers to Solomon, Israel's third king, renowned for his wisdom and immense wealth bestowed by God (1 Kgs 3:12-13).
• drinking vessels (כְּלֵ֤י מִשְׁתֶּה֙): Hebrew k'lê mištteh. Literally, "vessels of drinking." These were the utensils used for royal banquets and daily refreshments, highlighting the king's luxurious lifestyle even in common activities.
• were of gold (זָהָ֔ב): Hebrew zāhāḇ. Gold, the most precious and enduring metal known, symbolizes royalty, divine favor, purity, and ultimate wealth in ancient Near Eastern cultures. Its widespread use here indicates extreme opulence.
• and all (וְכָל־): Hebrew wĕkol. A reiteration of "all," expanding the scope of gold's exclusive use to other major parts of the royal estate.
• the vessels (כְּלֵ֖י): Hebrew k'lê. Again, "vessels," but in this context, they likely refer to larger furnishings or decorative objects appropriate for a significant public building, not just individual cups.
• of the House of the Forest of Lebanon (בֵּ֥ית יַעַר֙ הַלְּבָנֹ֖ון): Hebrew Bêt Yaʿar ha-Lĕḇānōn. This was one of Solomon's magnificent palace structures (1 Kgs 7:2), likely named for its extensive use of cedar wood from Lebanon, which gave it a forest-like appearance due to its numerous pillars. It served as a grand hall, armory, or perhaps even a state treasury, and its embellishment with pure gold speaks to its immense status and function.
• were of pure gold (זָהָ֣ב סָג֑וֹר): Hebrew zāhāḇ sāgōr. This specifies "refined gold" or "gold of purity." It indicates the highest possible quality of gold, demonstrating an unparalleled standard of luxury and meticulousness in the king's possessions.
• none (אֵ֣ין): Hebrew ʾên. A strong negation, making a definitive statement about the absolute absence of silver from these items.
• were of silver (כֶּ֑סֶף): Hebrew kesef. Silver, typically a highly valued precious metal and common currency in the ancient world. Its explicit exclusion here underscores the superior status of gold.
• for silver (כֶּ֤סֶף): Hebrew kesef. Reintroduces silver to explain why it was absent.
• was accounted (לֹ֥א נֶחְשָׁ֖ב): Hebrew lōʾ neḥšāḇ. Meaning "was not reckoned," "was not esteemed," or "was not counted." This is hyperbolic language, emphasizing a extreme devaluation by comparison.
• as nothing (מְאוּמָ֔ה): Hebrew məʾûmâ. Literally "anything" or "something"; in negative context, it signifies "as nothing." This powerfully expresses that silver held practically no comparative value next to the superabundant gold in Jerusalem.
• in the days of Solomon (בִּימֵ֣י שְׁלֹמֹֽה): Hebrew bîmê Šĕlōmōh. Clearly timestamps this period of extraordinary wealth and prosperity as a unique characteristic of Solomon's reign, emphasizing its temporal limitation.

Words-group analysis:

• "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": This sweeping statement underlines the sheer extent of Solomon's wealth. It shows that precious gold was not just for personal adornment but permeated royal infrastructure and daily ceremonial life, signifying comprehensive prosperity under God's blessing.
• "none were of silver, for silver was accounted as nothing": This serves as the narrative climax. It is a striking hyperbole, not implying silver literally had zero value, but rather that its sheer abundance (due to global trade facilitated by Solomon's rule) made it seem inconsequential next to the overwhelming influx and presence of gold. It illustrates a kingdom whose gold reserves surpassed typical earthly comprehension.

1 Kings 10 21 Bonus section

• The exaggerated description of gold and the devaluation of silver serve to elevate Solomon's reign as a golden age, contrasting sharply with the subsequent decline of the unified monarchy, setting a benchmark for glory that future kings failed to reach.
• The "House of the Forest of Lebanon" was known for its colossal size (150 feet long, 75 feet wide, 45 feet high) and grand architecture, being filled with pure gold items would signify wealth extending beyond mere personal display to substantial national assets.
• This specific verse implicitly functions as an ideal that kings should not aspire to in their pursuit of personal luxury, reflecting a divine design for leadership that prioritizes covenant faithfulness over material accumulation, a lesson the unified kingdom ultimately failed.
• The prosperity described was enabled by Solomon's control over major trade routes, including a Red Sea port and his alliance with Hiram of Tyre (1 Kgs 9:26-28), indicating a global economic reach directly under the hand of God's chosen king.

1 Kings 10 21 Commentary

1 Kings 10:21 dramatically illustrates the peak of Solomon's opulence, an intentional detail in the biblical narrative designed to impress the reader with God's generous blessing upon His chosen king and Israel. The emphatic absence of silver from the most visible items—drinking vessels and state furnishings—due to gold's overwhelming abundance, signals a kingdom that has reached an unprecedented level of prosperity. This period was a direct fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon for his wisdom, bringing wealth and glory that surpassed all other kings (1 Kgs 3:13, 10:23). However, this description subtly introduces a tension, especially when viewed through the lens of Deuteronomic law (Dt 17:17) which warned kings against excessive accumulation of wealth. While God provided the wealth, Solomon's handling of it, particularly his accumulation of horses and wives along with gold and silver, foreshadowed a path that eventually led his heart astray from the Lord (1 Kgs 11). Thus, this verse highlights not only the magnificent divine blessing but also hints at the inherent dangers of unchecked material prosperity for a king meant to be humble and fully devoted to God.