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CHAPTER 10 (ESV)
14 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold, 15 besides that which came from the explorers and from the business of the merchants, and from all the kings of the west and from the governors of the land. 16 King Solomon made 200 large shields of beaten gold; 600 shekels of gold went into each shield. 17 And he made 300 shields of beaten gold; three minas of gold went into each shield. And the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon. 18 The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with the finest gold. 19 The throne had six steps, and the throne had a round top, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests, 20 while twelve lions stood there, one on each end of a step on the six steps. The like of it was never made in any kingdom. 21 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. 22 For the king had a fleet of ships of Tarshish at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the fleet of ships of Tarshish used to come bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
23 Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. 24 And the whole earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind. 25 Every one of them brought his present, articles of silver and gold, garments, myrrh, spices, horses, and mules, so much year by year.
REFLECTION
- Solomon is indeed a king of wisdom, he has acquired a lot of wealth through tributes, trades and commerce.
- Deut. 17 mentioned that God allowed Israel to have a king, but the king has certain restrictions. He is not for his own benefit, silver and gold must not acquire in great quantity for himself” (Deut. 17:17). Solomon’s gold is used to ornament buildings on display. Deut. warns against those who exalt themselves believing their own efforts have brought them wealth, “… and your silver and gold is multiplied; then the self-impressed will be tempted to forget God” (8:12-17). Unfortunately, very soon we will see how God’s warning was fulfilled in Solomon’s life.
- Prov 2:1-5 says: “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.”
- How do I acquire true wisdom? How do I use my resources; my cash, time, and skill for expanding God’s Kingdom?
PRAYER
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”(Prov 9:10). Lord, grant me the desire to seek You, to approach You, and to fear You lest I become foolish and sin against You.
HYMN
Speak, O Lord – youtu.be/9-sBck5t2tw
