Keraia
1 Kings 10

1 Kings 10:22

Solomon’s Wealth and Splendor · 1 Kings 10:14–29
Read 1 Kings 10

Translations

Modern
For the king had the ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
Traditional
For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
Literal
For ships of Tarshish were unto the king at sea with the ships of Hiram. Once in three years came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
Latin
…quia classis regis per mare cum classe Hiram semel per tres annos ibat in Tharsis, deferens inde aurum, et argentum, et dentes elephantorum, et simias, et pavos.

Original

Hebrew
English
For the king had the ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.

Notes

1 Kings 10:22

  • the ships of Tarshish: This Hebrew term refers to a type of merchant ship.

  • Phoenician sailors operated Solomon’s fleet, which sailed from Ezion-geber (1 Kings 9:26–28; see Isaiah 23:1).

  • apes, and peacocks: Archaeology shows that kings imported these animals. They were valued for their novelty, exotic nature, and as symbols of conquering distant lands.

1 Kings 10:14–29

To show more of Solomon’s greatness, the writer adds to the story of the queen’s visit (1 Kings 10:1–13). The writer describes Solomon’s wise use of wealth in building his palace complex (10:14–21). The writer then tells how Solomon’s wisdom also brought wide influence through his trade and commercial dealings (10:22–29).

Theme notes and profiles

Solomon Solomon’s Wisdom

Events

Parallels

2 Chronicles 1:14–17 2 Chronicles 9:13–28

People

Hiram: King of Tyre, ally of David and Solomon

Places

Tarshish: Distant maritime city known for its wealth and trade

Glossary

Ape Banker, Banking Ezion-Geber Ivory Jerusalem Kings, Books of First and Second Ophir (Place) Peacock Solomon (Person) Tarshish (Place) Tharshish

Topics

Ape in Solomon's Zoological Collections Beasts: Unclean: Ape Birds: Unclean: Peacock Botanical Gardens: (Park, Probably) Commerce: Articles of Apes Commerce: Articles of Gold Commerce: Articles of Ivory Commerce: Articles of Peacocks Commerce: Articles of Silver Exports: from Tarshish of Gold Exports: from Tarshish: Ivory, Apes, and Peacocks Holy Land: Extensive Commerce of, in Solomon's Reign Ivory: Exported from Tarshish King: Tariff on Imports, and Internal Revenue on Merchandise Peacock: General Scriptures Concerning Silver: Very Abundant in the Reign of Solomon Solomon: Commerce of Solomon: Imports Apes and Peacocks Tarshish: Also Called Tharshish: Commerce and Wealth of Tarshish: Also Called Tharshish: Solomon Makes Valuable Imports From