1 Kings 10: How rich is King Solomon? Really rich.

Synopsis:

The Queen of Sheba hears about King Solomon and goes to see him and test out his wisdom. She was duly impressed and she gave the king 120 talents of gold and a lot of spices and precious stones. Solomon gave Sheba anything she wanted and she went back home with her servants. In one year Solomon was given 603 score and six talents of gold. Plus, he had merchants and spice merchants and all the kings of Arabia under his rule.  He made himself a throne of ivory overlaid with the best gold. It was unlike any throne in any kingdom. All his drinking vessels were of gold. None were of silver.  He also had a navy that would sail to Tharshish (a return trip taking 3 years), and they would bring gold, silver, ivory, apes and peacocks.  Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and wisdom.

In other words:

King Solomon was rich. Very very rich.

Favorite bit:

1 Kings 10:18-20 – The ivory throne covered in gold. It has 6 steps to the top. It  was round behind. There were stays on either side of the seat and two lions stood beside the stays. 12 lions stood on one side and on the other of the 6 steps.  This was big – ostentatious and would have been beautiful!

Most interesting bit:

1 Kings 10:22 – the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years cam the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks. Why would Tharshish give Solomon so much gold and goods? What were they getting in return? Or was this a mining colony of Solomon’s?

Most confusing bit:

Sheba.  She comes, wants to see if Solomon really is as wise and as rich as she has heard he is. He is. She gives him a bunch of gold and spices. He gives her anything she wants and – then she just leaves. Why?  (1 Kings 10:1-13)

Moral Lesson Learned:

Money can’t buy you love (1 Kings 10)