1 Kings 4:21

And Solomon reigned [Heb. was reigning ] over all kingdoms [Heb. the kingdoms . That is, as suzerain, as is explained presently. So that Psalms 72:10 , Psalms 72:11 had its fulfilment] from the river [ i.e; the Euphrates, the river of that region: so called Genesis 31:21 ; Exodus 23:1-33 :81; 2 Samuel 10:16 . In Genesis 15:18 it is called "the great river, the river Euphrates." Similarly Joshua 1:4 ] unto [not in the Hebrew. It is found in the parallel passage, 2 Chronicles 9:26 , and perhaps we may safely supply it here. Its omission may have been occasioned by the recurrence of the same word ( עַד ) presently. Some would render, "reigned… over the land," etc; supplying בְּ in thought from above. But "unto" seems to be required after "from." Cf. 2 Chronicles 9:24 ] the land of the Philistines [this, i.e; the Mediterranean shore, was the western border of his realm], and unto the border of Egypt [this was his southern boundary. We have here a reference to Genisis 2 Chronicles 15:18 , the promise which now first received its fulfilment]: they brought presents [ i.e; tribute. Similar expressions, 2 Samuel 8:2 ; 2 Kings 17:3 , 2 Kings 17:4 , and especially Psalms 72:10 . What the presents were we are told 1 Kings 10:25 , where, however, see note], and served Solomon all the days of his life.

The daily consumption of the royal household is now related to show the grandeur and luxury of the court. And it agreed well with the greatness of the kingdom. The lavish provision of Oriental palaces was evidently a subject of wonder and of boasting to the ancients, as the inscriptions and monuments show.