1 Kings 10:25 kjv
And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armor, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
1 Kings 10:25 nkjv
Each man brought his present: articles of silver and gold, garments, armor, spices, horses, and mules, at a set rate year by year.
1 Kings 10:25 niv
Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift?articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules.
1 Kings 10:25 esv
Every one of them brought his present, articles of silver and gold, garments, myrrh, spices, horses, and mules, so much year by year.
1 Kings 10:25 nlt
Year after year everyone who visited brought him gifts of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.
1 Kings 10 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 3:13 | "...riches and honor... no king in your days shall be your equal." | Divine promise of Solomon's wealth. |
| 1 Kgs 4:21 | "And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life." | Solomon's vast dominion and received tribute. |
| 1 Kgs 4:30 | "Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the people of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt." | Context of his extraordinary wisdom. |
| 1 Kgs 9:28 | "...they came to Ophir and took from there gold... and brought it to King Solomon." | Specific source of Solomon's gold. |
| 1 Kgs 10:10 | "Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a great many spices, and precious stones..." | Queen of Sheba's direct personal gifts. |
| 1 Kgs 10:14 | "Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold..." | Details of Solomon's annual gold income. |
| 1 Kgs 10:23 | "Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom." | Summary of Solomon's global standing. |
| 2 Chr 1:12 | "...I will give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as no king... has had before you..." | Parallel account of God's blessing. |
| 2 Chr 9:24 | "Every one of them brought his present, articles of silver and gold, garments, weapons, spices, horses, and mules, a set amount year by year." | Direct parallel verse in Chronicles. |
| Ps 72:10 | "May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!" | Prophetic vision of a king receiving tribute. |
| Isa 60:6 | "A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and frankincense..." | Future glory of Zion, bringing wealth. |
| Dt 17:16 | "Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt in order to acquire more horses..." | Warning to kings about accumulating horses. |
| Dt 17:17 | "...And he shall not acquire for himself excessive silver and gold." | Warning to kings about excessive wealth. |
| Matt 6:19 | "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal..." | Contrast of earthly vs. heavenly treasures. |
| Matt 12:42 | "The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here." | Jesus is greater than Solomon's earthly wisdom. |
| Lk 12:33 | "Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail..." | Emphasizing lasting, heavenly wealth. |
| Php 4:19 | "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." | God as the true provider of ultimate sufficiency. |
| Col 2:3 | "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." | Christ as the ultimate source of wisdom and truth. |
| 1 Tim 6:10 | "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil..." | Warning about the dangers of wealth. |
| Jas 1:17 | "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights..." | God is the source of all blessings. |
| Rev 21:24 | "And the nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it." | Prophetic scene of New Jerusalem, kings bringing glory. |
1 Kings 10 verses
1 Kings 10 25 Meaning
The verse 1 Kings 10:25 describes the ongoing, annual tribute paid to King Solomon by various individuals and foreign rulers. These payments manifested as an array of valuable items including precious metal vessels (silver and gold), fine garments, military armour, expensive spices, and livestock like horses and mules. This verse signifies the extensive scope of Solomon's dominion and the unparalleled material prosperity and prestige of his kingdom, reflecting widespread recognition of his power and wealth.
1 Kings 10 25 Context
King Solomon's reign, particularly as depicted in 1 Kings 10, marks the peak of Israel's national glory and material prosperity. This chapter details the Queen of Sheba's visit, who was awed by Solomon's wisdom and unprecedented wealth (1 Kgs 10:1-13). Following this grand account, the narrative provides an extensive inventory of Solomon's vast riches: the weight of gold he received annually (666 talents, 1 Kgs 10:14), the elaborate golden shields, the magnificent ivory throne overlaid with gold, and his golden drinking vessels (1 Kgs 10:16-21). Verse 25 fits seamlessly into this description, illustrating how some of this immense wealth accumulated. It highlights not just a one-off influx but a sustained system of annual tribute from surrounding nations and rulers, solidifying Israel's geopolitical influence under Solomon's reign. This demonstrates the fulfillment of divine promises concerning Israel's prominence and Solomon's blessings. Historically, such tributes were common among Near Eastern empires, signifying the submission of client states or peoples to a dominant power.
1 Kings 10 25 Word analysis
- And they brought: The verb "brought" (Hebrew: וַיָּבִיאוּ - vayyavihu) denotes active delivery. "They" refers broadly to those who recognized Solomon's suzerainty or sought his favor, often described as kings or leaders of various regions mentioned in the broader context (e.g., 1 Kgs 4:21).
- every man: This phrase (אִישׁ לְמִנְחָתוֹ - ish leminḥatho literally "a man for his present") signifies individual presentation or obligation, emphasizing the widespread nature of the tribute. It was a personal commitment from each respective tributary.
- his present: The word for "present" (מִנְחָה - minḥāh) carries several meanings: an offering, a gift, or specifically, tribute. In this context, it signifies a regular, obligatory offering given by subordinate rulers or states to acknowledge Solomon's authority and status. It's not merely a casual gift but a token of allegiance and submission.
- vessels of silver, and vessels of gold: "Vessels" (כְּלֵי - keli) implies crafted articles, not raw materials. This highlights not just the inherent value of the metals but also the skilled workmanship invested, signifying luxury and refinement. Such items served practical purposes but also acted as displays of wealth.
- and garments: Fine clothing was a highly valuable commodity in the ancient world, often exchanged as diplomatic gifts or tributes. They represented status, luxury, and often complex craftsmanship.
- and armour: "Armour" (נֵשֶׁק - nesheq), which can mean weapons or equipment for warfare. This type of tribute reflects military homage and likely contributed to Solomon's defense or offensive capabilities, solidifying his kingdom's military posture.
- and spices: "Spices" (בֹּשֶׂם - bosem) refers to aromatic substances used for perfumes, incense, and embalming, often exotic and imported. Their inclusion indicates a valuable trade network and luxurious consumption, underlining the kingdom's immense prosperity and international connections.
- horses, and mules: These animals were essential for military might (horses for chariotry) and transportation, as well as a sign of wealth and power. Acquiring a multitude of horses was explicitly warned against for Israelite kings in Deuteronomy 17:16, hinting at a potential area of future compromise despite present glory.
- a rate year by year: This phrase (מִנְחַת שָׁנָה בְשָׁנָה - minḥath shānāh b'shānāh) indicates that the tribute was not an isolated event but a regular, recurring annual obligation. This emphasizes the established and enduring nature of Solomon's regional dominance and the stability of his reign and his revenue stream.
1 Kings 10 25 Bonus section
The depiction of Solomon's annual tribute in 1 Kings 10:25 also serves as an important type, pointing forward to the ultimate, universal homage that will be paid to the Messiah. Prophetic passages like Psalm 72 and Isaiah 60 envision a future King, Christ, receiving global tribute and glory. Just as earthly kings brought gifts and recognition to Solomon, kings of the earth will ultimately bring their glory into the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:24), in submission and adoration of the Lord. While Solomon's earthly reign reached unparalleled heights of material splendor and recognized wisdom, it remains finite and flawed compared to the eternal, spiritual glory and unblemished reign of Jesus Christ. Solomon's gold and horses eventually could not prevent his kingdom's spiritual drift and eventual fragmentation, whereas the true "treasures of wisdom and knowledge" found in Christ are imperishable (Colossians 2:3) and offer true, eternal richness far beyond any earthly accumulation.
1 Kings 10 25 Commentary
1 Kings 10:25 provides a snapshot of the tangible benefits derived from King Solomon's unparalleled wisdom and God-given prosperity. It shows the mechanisms through which Israel's wealth, particularly that of its monarch, continued to accumulate. The variety of items listed—from precious metals to military supplies and exotic goods—illustrates the diverse forms of tribute received and the widespread influence Solomon wielded over a network of kingdoms. This annual, formalized giving solidified Israel's position as a regional power and Solomon as the suzerain king, enjoying unparalleled peace and affluence. While a testament to divine blessing and national strength, this description of lavish acquisition, especially concerning horses and gold, subtly foreshadows future challenges. Such immense material gain, as Deuteronomy 17 warns, held the potential for kings to deviate from reliance on God, a temptation Solomon eventually succumbed to, setting the stage for the kingdom's later division and decline.