Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold - I have already conjectured that the צנה tsinnah might resemble the Highland targe or target, with a dagger projecting from the Umbo or center. read more
He made three hundred shields - The מגן magen was a large shield by which the whole body was protected. Mr. Reynolds computes that the two hundred targets, on each of which were employed three hundred shekels of gold, were worth £28,131 16s. 9 1/2d. And the three hundred shields, in forming each of which three pounds of gold were employed, were worth £210,976 7s. 7d. read more
The throne was round behind : and there were stays on either side - This description seems to indicate that the throne was in the form of one of our ancient round-topped, two-armed chairs. This throne or chair of state was raised on a platform, the ascent to which consisted of six steps. What we call stays is in the Hebrew ידת yadoth , hands, which serves to confirm the conjecture above. read more
A navy of Tharshish - For probable conjectures concerning this place, and the three years' voyage, see at the end of this, 1 Kings 10:29 ; (note) and the preceding chapter, 1 Kings 9 (note). Apes - קפים kophim ; probably a species of monkey rather than ape. read more
The Queen of Sheba. The suggestiveness of Solomon's intercourse with surrounding nations. His magnanimity was as remarkable as his magnificence. His broad policy stood out in striking contrast with the narrowness of some of his contemporaries and successors. It was one evidence of his divinely inspired wisdom. In some respects his enlightenment puts to shame modern diplomacy. Trace his relations with the king of Tyre and the queen of Sheba. These were not exceptionally treated by the... read more
EXPOSITION SOLOMON 'S WEALTH , POMP , AND POWER . The visit of the Queen of Sheba, in itself a striking proof of the fame and greatness of Solomon, is followed by a description of his revenues, his throne, and various other particulars of his wealth and magnificence, some of which are related here because they were the products of the voyages of that same fleet which had been the means of acquainting the queen with Solomon and his glory. Now the weight of gold that came... read more
The Decline and Fall of Solomon. The fall of Solomon, in itself one of the most portentous facts in Scripture history, is rendered doubly suggestive and admonitory by a consideration of the way in which it was brought about. It was not that he succumbed to some fierce onslaught of temptation; it was no terrible rush of passion—no sudden guilty love of "fair idolatresses," as some have held—wrought his ruin; on the contrary, his decline in piety was so gradual and slow as to be almost... read more
Beside that he had of the marchantmen [The root תּוּר signifies to wander or travel about . In Numbers 13:16 , Numbers 13:17 , it is used of spies . It may here be applied to persons who travelled for purposes of trade; but the versions differ very materially in their rendering of the word; the LXX . understanding it of tribute ( τῶν φόρων τῶν ὑποτεταγμένων ); the Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic of artizans ; the Vulgate of ambassadors . And the word is... read more
And king Solomon made two hundred targets [ צִנָּה , from a root which signifies protect, a large oblong shield, which covered the entire person ( Psalms 5:12 ), θυρεός , scutum . See 1 Samuel 17:7 , 1 Samuel 17:41 . The LXX . here reads δόρατα , i.e; spears] of beaten gold [The authorities are divided as to the meaning of שָׁחוּט , here translated beaten . This rendering is supported by Bähr and Keil (after Kimchi), but Gesenius understands mixed gold.... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 10:14
The weight of gold - was six hundred threescore and six talents - This would amount in our money to £4,683, 675 12s. 8 1/2d. sterling. This seems to be what he got annually of bullion; but independently of this, he had tribute of all the kings of Arabia, duties from merchantmen, and the traffic of spice merchants; see 1 Kings 10:25 . read more