2 Chronicles 9:15 kjv
And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one target.
2 Chronicles 9:15 nkjv
And King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of hammered gold went into each shield.
2 Chronicles 9:15 niv
King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of hammered gold went into each shield.
2 Chronicles 9:15 esv
King Solomon made 200 large shields of beaten gold; 600 shekels of beaten gold went into each shield.
2 Chronicles 9:15 nlt
King Solomon made 200 large shields of hammered gold, each weighing more than 15 pounds.
2 Chronicles 9 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 10:16 | And King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold... | Parallel account of Solomon's gold shields |
| 1 Kgs 10:14 | Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year... | Context of Solomon's vast annual gold income |
| 2 Chr 9:13 | Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year... | Immediate preceding context of Solomon's riches |
| 2 Chr 9:22 | So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches... | Solomon's unrivaled wealth and wisdom |
| 2 Chr 9:27 | And the king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones... | Ubiquity of precious metals in Solomon's kingdom |
| 1 Kgs 4:30-31 | Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the people of the East... | God's wisdom empowering Solomon's reign |
| Hag 2:8 | 'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the Lord of hosts. | God's ultimate ownership of all wealth |
| Exod 25:3 | This is the offering you are to receive from them: gold... | God's desire for gold in building His sanctuary |
| Prov 3:14 | For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things you may desire... | Wisdom valued above material riches |
| Prov 8:10-11 | Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than... | Godly wisdom surpasses gold and jewels |
| Psa 24:1 | The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness... | God's sovereignty over creation's resources |
| Matt 6:19-21 | Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... | Contrast earthly wealth with heavenly treasure |
| 1 Tim 6:7-10 | For we brought nothing into this world... love of money is a root... | Transient nature of material possessions |
| 1 Kgs 14:25-26 | In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up... | The temporary nature of Solomon's physical gold |
| 2 Chr 12:9-10 | So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem... | Loss of original gold shields, replaced by bronze |
| Eccl 2:10-11 | All that my eyes desired I did not keep from them... all was vanity... | Earthly pursuits, including wealth, lead to vanity |
| Lk 12:33-34 | Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags that... | True, enduring treasure is spiritual |
| Rev 2:9 | I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich)... | Spiritual richness overcoming material poverty |
| Rev 21:18, 21 | The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold... | Heavenly city of pure, sanctified gold |
| Deut 17:16-17 | The king must not acquire great numbers of horses... not accumulate... | God's cautionary instruction for kings on wealth |
| Phil 4:19 | And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory... | God's abundance in meeting needs |
| Gen 2:11-12 | The gold of that land is good... | Gold as a precious creation from the beginning |
2 Chronicles 9 verses
2 Chronicles 9 15 Meaning
2 Chronicles 9:15 describes a specific part of King Solomon's vast and unprecedented wealth: the creation of two hundred large, ornamental shields crafted from pure hammered gold. Each of these impressive shields consumed six hundred shekels of gold, highlighting the immense opulence and resources available during Solomon's reign, a direct reflection of God's blessing upon him.
2 Chronicles 9 15 Context
This verse is situated within 2 Chronicles Chapter 9, which comprehensively details King Solomon's unparalleled wealth, wisdom, and reign, showcasing the pinnacle of Israelite prosperity under God's favor. Following a report of the queen of Sheba's astonishment at Solomon's glory (vv. 1-12) and a specific mention of his annual gold income (666 talents, v. 13), verses 14-28 elaborate on the magnificent items he possessed and constructed, highlighting his affluence. The crafting of these 200 large gold shields for display purposes exemplifies his royal splendor, serving both as symbols of power and as part of his extensive treasury, used for ornamentation rather than practical warfare due to their weight and value.
2 Chronicles 9 15 Word analysis
- And King Solomon: Indicates the ongoing description of his reign and achievements. Solomon (שְׁלֹמֹה, Shelomoh), meaning "peaceful" or "complete," points to the era of peace and prosperity under his rule. As king, he embodies the divinely blessed monarch.
- made: (וַיַּעַשׂ, vayya'as) - "and he made/did." Implies purposeful action, skilled craftsmanship, and the vast resources commanded by Solomon to execute such large-scale projects.
- two hundred large shields: "Two hundred" (מָאתַיִם, ma'tayim): a specific, significant number emphasizing quantity. "Large shields" (שְׁלָטִים גְּדוֹלִים, shelatim gedolim): Shelatim refers to ceremonial shields or target shields, distinct from the smaller, practical "magen" (מָגֵן) or "buckler" mentioned in 1 Kgs 10:17. Their "large" (גְּדוֹלִים, gedolim) size suggests they were impressive, perhaps for display in the "House of the Forest of Lebanon" as mentioned in 1 Kgs 10:16-17, signifying status and security rather than actual combat.
- of hammered gold: (זָהָב שָׁחוּט, zahav shachut) - "hammered gold" or "beaten gold." This term implies high quality craftsmanship where the gold is refined, purified, and beaten thin. It represents not merely the raw material but the labor and skill invested, showcasing Solomon's aesthetic appreciation and the capacity of his kingdom. It also points to the ductility and purity of the gold.
- six hundred shekels of hammered gold: "Six hundred shekels" (שֵׁשׁ־מֵאוֹת זָהָב, shesh-me'ot zahav): A shekel (שֶׁקֶל, sheqel) was a unit of weight, approximately 0.4 troy ounces or 11.4 grams. Six hundred shekels translates to a staggering 6.8 kilograms (around 15 pounds) of pure gold per shield, reinforcing their incredible value and ornamental nature rather than military practicality. This quantity emphasizes the extreme luxury and expense involved.
- went into each shield: This phrase (בָּאַחַת מִבָּם, ba'achat mibbām) highlights the uniform and significant gold investment in each of the two hundred shields, not just the total sum. It underscores the consistent standard of wealth and extravagance maintained across the entire collection.
Word-group analysis:
- "And King Solomon made... of hammered gold": This phrase emphasizes Solomon's agency and the incredible resources at his disposal to commission and create such lavish items. The use of "hammered gold" signifies not just wealth, but a high level of craftsmanship and dedication to aesthetic quality.
- "two hundred large shields... six hundred shekels... went into each shield": This specific numerical detail highlights the unprecedented scale of Solomon's wealth. The mention of "each shield" receiving such a vast amount of gold showcases a level of extravagance and treasury display unparalleled among ancient kings, cementing his reputation for immense opulence derived from God's blessings.
2 Chronicles 9 15 Bonus section
The significant accumulation of gold by Solomon, as detailed in this chapter (including the 666 talents in v. 13), can be viewed in light of the Deuteronomic law concerning kings (Deut 17:16-17). This law warned against kings accumulating excessive horses, silver, and gold for themselves, lest their hearts turn away from the Lord. While the Chronicler highlights Solomon's glory as a divine blessing, the sheer scale of his wealth—and its eventual plunder—serves as an implicit biblical teaching on the potential dangers of material opulence when not accompanied by unwavering obedience and trust in God alone. These shields, initially symbols of glory, became a testament to wealth's fleetingness and the consequences of later disobedience within the Solomonic lineage.
2 Chronicles 9 15 Commentary
2 Chronicles 9:15 illustrates the zenith of Israel's material glory under King Solomon, reflecting the covenant blessings promised by God. The creation of two hundred monumental gold shields, each containing an enormous weight of gold, testifies to a kingdom flourishing with divine favor and unprecedented prosperity. These items served primarily as magnificent displays of royal wealth and power, symbolizing the nation's security and Solomon's unique status among rulers. Yet, this very verse, in its context within biblical narrative, also subtly foreshadows the transient nature of such earthly splendor. Later, in 2 Chronicles 12, these very gold shields are taken by Pharaoh Shishak, replaced by bronze ones by Solomon's son Rehoboam, serving as a stark reminder that even the most immense material wealth is temporary and can be lost when faithfulness to God wanes.