1 Kings 10 28

1 Kings 10:28 kjv

And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.

1 Kings 10:28 nkjv

Also Solomon had horses imported from Egypt and Keveh; the king's merchants bought them in Keveh at the current price.

1 Kings 10:28 niv

Solomon's horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue?the royal merchants purchased them from Kue at the current price.

1 Kings 10:28 esv

And Solomon's import of horses was from Egypt and Kue, and the king's traders received them from Kue at a price.

1 Kings 10:28 nlt

Solomon's horses were imported from Egypt and from Cilicia ; the king's traders acquired them from Cilicia at the standard price.

1 Kings 10 verses

1 Kings 10 28 Meaning

1 Kings 10:28 details how King Solomon acquired horses for his vast military and prestigious chariotry. His horses were sourced specifically from Egypt, a major power known for its cavalry, and from Kue, a region in Cilicia also renowned for horse breeding and trade. This procurement was not a private venture but a state-controlled operation, managed directly by the king's merchants, who acquired these valuable animals at a set price. The verse highlights Solomon's immense wealth, extensive international trade networks, and growing military power, which ultimately put him in a position of defiance against a direct divine command for Israelite kings not to multiply horses for themselves (Deut 17:16).

1 Kings 10 28 Context

1 Kings chapter 10 marks the zenith of King Solomon's reign, showcasing his unparalleled wealth, wisdom, and international influence. Following the magnificent visit from the Queen of Sheba, the text enumerates Solomon's immense prosperity: vast amounts of gold and silver, ivory throne, gold shields, luxurious drinking vessels, and his significant commercial enterprises. His control over a vast trade network is highlighted, bringing him riches from all over the known world. Verse 28 specifically details a crucial aspect of this prosperity and power – his acquisition of horses and chariots, which were essential military assets and symbols of royal prestige in the ancient Near East. This activity, while demonstrating Solomon's earthly might, stands in stark contrast to the Deuteronomic law given to Israelite kings (Deut 17:16), setting the stage for Solomon's eventual spiritual decline as described in chapter 11, where his multiplication of horses, wives, and wealth leads him away from God.

1 Kings 10 28 Word analysis

• And Solomon's import (וּמוֹצָ֥א הַסּוּסִ֖ים, u·mo·tsa' ha-su·sim): The Hebrew word motsa' literally means "going out," "source," or "origin." In this context, it implies the source or point of origin from which Solomon's horses were brought out, rather than a passive 'import.' It suggests an active, deliberate procurement strategy, or even a monopolistic control over the trade route from these sources.
• horses (הַסּוּסִ֖ים, ha-su·sim): Horses were a crucial military asset in the ancient world, enabling chariotry and cavalry. They represented military strength, national power, and royal prestige. The explicit mention of Solomon acquiring vast numbers of horses directly contradicts the Mosaic Law in Deut 17:16, which commanded Israelite kings not to "multiply horses for himself." This immediately flags Solomon's action as a departure from divine instruction, foreshadowing his later unfaithfulness.
• from Egypt (מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם, mim·mitz·ra·yim): Egypt was a powerful kingdom and renowned for its horse breeding and chariot corps. Importing horses from Egypt was a sign of Solomon's strategic alliances and commercial dominance. However, Egypt was also a symbol of bondage and a nation Israel was frequently warned against returning to or relying upon for help (e.g., Deut 28:68, Isa 31:1).
• and from Kue (וּמִקְוֵ֗א, u·miq·we'): Kue is identified with the region of Cilicia in ancient Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), particularly known for its horses. Its inclusion here indicates the extent of Solomon's trade network, spanning major commercial and military hubs beyond just Egypt. It's debated whether Kue was an independent source, or if Egypt was an intermediary acquiring horses from Kue and then selling them to Solomon. The wording suggests dual origins.
• the king's merchants (סֹחֲרֵ֤י הַמֶּלֶךְ֙, so·kha·rey ha-me·lekh): This phrase emphasizes that the horse trade was a royal monopoly, a state enterprise directly controlled and managed by King Solomon himself, not by private traders. This underscores his vast wealth and centralized power, demonstrating the scope of his economic ventures.
• received them (יִקְח֣וּ, yik·khu): From the root "to take" or "to acquire." It confirms a commercial transaction, not merely tribute or gift.
• from Kue at a price (מִקְוֵה֙ יִקְח֣וּ בִּמְחִ֔יר, miq·we yik·khu bim·khir): The Hebrew phrase bim·khir means "at a price" or "for a purchase price." This further emphasizes the commercial nature of the exchange. The explicit mention of price for Kue may indicate a distinct commercial arrangement compared to the "from Egypt" source, or simply an elaboration of the mechanism for obtaining horses from both sources. It highlights the vast economic expenditure for these military assets.

1 Kings 10 28 Bonus section

The explicit mention of "Kue" (Cilicia) alongside Egypt is significant. It implies either a direct trade route through the Euphrates region, bypassing the Egyptian middleman for some horses, or that Egyptian trade routes extended into Cilicia. Given the ambiguity in the Hebrew, some scholars suggest Solomon established a highly complex monopolistic arrangement where his agents effectively controlled the entire supply chain from these key horse-breeding regions. Furthermore, the immense scale of this horse acquisition facilitated Solomon's ability to trade these animals and chariots to other kings, as indicated in the subsequent verse (1 Kgs 10:29). This not only enhanced his wealth but also his regional geopolitical influence. The verse serves as an important point in the biblical narrative for tracing the fulfillment (or transgression) of the Deuteronomic kingly ideal.

1 Kings 10 28 Commentary

1 Kings 10:28 subtly yet profoundly highlights a pivotal aspect of Solomon's reign: his unprecedented accumulation of worldly power and wealth, which directly transgressed God's specific command for Israelite kings in Deuteronomy 17:16. By multiplying horses and importing them from Egypt and Kue, Solomon pursued a policy of military buildup and reliance on earthly strength rather than exclusively on the Lord. This act, alongside his accumulation of vast silver and gold (also prohibited in Deut 17:17) and his multiplying of foreign wives (Deut 17:17), forms a trilogy of disobedience that sets the stage for his spiritual decline and the eventual division of his kingdom. The chapter portrays a kingdom at its pinnacle of glory, yet for a discerning reader, this verse rings with an ominous warning of unfaithfulness. It reminds believers that true security and success do not lie in human power, strategic alliances, or material riches, but in obedience to and dependence on the living God. Solomon's pursuit of national glory through worldly means ultimately overshadowed his devotion, serving as a cautionary tale for all who would trust in earthly might.