I Kings 10:17-22 · Bible study
1 Kings 10:17-22 Commentary: Gold Shields and Ivory Throne
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
What were Solomon's 300 gold shields for? Study the meaning, historical context, and theological significance of his wealth, ivory throne, and Tarshish fleet.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The 300 gold shields and ivory throne display Solomon’s unprecedented wealth and royal splendor, while the Tarshish fleet explains why silver became cheap, a sign of economic prosperity that also carried seeds of spiritual decline.
- Key words: māgēn (shield, H4043), zāhāv (gold, H2091), shen (ivory, H8127), mūfāz (refined gold, H6338), tarshīsh (Tarshish, H8659), qoph (ape, H6971), tukkīy (peacock, H8500).
- Main debate: Whether the shields were purely ornamental or had ceremonial functions; also the precise location of Tarshish (Spain vs. elsewhere) and whether ‘silver was nothing’ is literal or hyperbolic.
- Theological theme: The peril of prosperity: God’s blessings can become spiritual liabilities when the heart grows proud and complacent.
- Best use: A warning against the allure of luxury and a call to treasure God above his gifts; also a historical marker of Israel’s golden age before division.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
17He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold went into each shield. And the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
18Additionally, the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold.
19The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest.
20Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like this had ever been made for any kingdom.
21All King Solomon’s drinking cups were gold, and all the utensils of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. There was no silver, because it was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon.
22For 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.
WEB World English Bible 2000
17He made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three minas of gold went to one shield; and the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
18Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the finest gold.
19There were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was round behind; and there were armrests on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.
20Twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other on the six steps. Nothing like it was made in any kingdom.
21All 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, because it was considered of little value in the days of Solomon.
22For the king had a fleet of ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet. Once every three years the fleet of Tarshish came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
KJV King James Version 1769
17And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
18Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold.
19The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.
20And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.
21And 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: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
22For 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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
17And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pounds of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
18Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the finest gold.
19There were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was round behind; and there were stays on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the stays.
20And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.
21And 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; it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
22For the king had at sea a navy of Tarshish with the navy of Hiram: once every three years came the navy of Tarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
17and three hundred shields of alloyed gold--three pounds of gold go up on the one shield; and the king putteth them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
18And the king maketh a great throne of ivory, and overlayeth it with refined gold;
19six steps hath the throne, and a round top is to the throne behind it, and hands are on this side and on that, unto the place of the sitting, and two lions are standing near the hands,
20and twelve lions are standing there on the six steps, on this side and on that; it hath not been made so for any kingdom.
21And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon are of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon are of refined gold--there are none of silver; it was not reckoned in the days of Solomon for anything,
22for a navy of Tarshish hath the king at sea with a navy of Hiram; once in three years cometh the navy of Tarshish, bearing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
17and three hundred shields of beaten gold, — he applied three minas of gold to one shield; and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
18And the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with refined gold:
19the throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was rounded behind; and there were arms on each side at the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the arms;
20and twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.
21And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of precious gold: none were of silver, [which] was not of the least account in the days of Solomon.
22For the king had on the sea a Tarshish-fleet, with the fleet of Hiram: once in three years came the Tarshish-fleet, bringing gold and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
17And three hundred targets of fine gold: three hundred pounds of gold covered one target: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Libanus.
18King Solomon also made a great throne of ivory: and overlaid it with the finest gold.
19It had six steps: and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were two hands on either side holding the seat: and two lions stood, one at each hand,
20And twelve little lions stood upon the six steps, on the one side and on the other: there was no such work made in any kingdom.
21Moreover, all the vessels out of which king Solomon drank, were of gold: and all the furniture of the house of the forest of Libanus was of most pure gold: there was no silver, nor was any account made of it in the days of Solomon:
22For the king's navy, once in three years, went with the navy of Hiram by sea to Tharsis, and brought from thence gold, and silver, and elephants' teeth, and apes, and peacocks.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Kings 10:17
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators broadly agree that the 300 gold shields were ornamental, not battle-ready. Adam Clarke notes that māgēn (shield) was normally a large body shield, but beaten gold was too soft for combat, the shields were hung for display. Barnes adds that such shields served as decoration on exterior walls, a practice seen in Tyre, Assyria, and elsewhere. The House of the Forest of Lebanon (1 Kings 7:2) was a massive hall, part armoury, part treasury, so the shields signified royal might and splendour. On the throne, Keil and Delitzsch, with Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, argue that the ivory was veneered and the gold overlay was applied selectively, not covering everything. The six steps and twelve lions matched known ancient Near Eastern thrones, yet the text insists 'nothing like it was made in any kingdom', a statement of Solomon’s unrivaled grandeur. The comment that 'silver was considered of little value' is taken by most as hyperbole arising from the enormous wealth brought by the Tarshish fleet every three years (v.22). Matthew Henry draws a pastoral thread: such abundance came from God’s blessing, yet it carried a seed of pride and later decline, as 1 Kings 14:26 shows when the shields were carried off by Shishak.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Ornamental / display: The shields were stored in the House of the Forest of Lebanon, a large hall used for armory and state occasions; beaten gold is impractical for combat; similar practices in Assyria and Tyre (Barnes, Keil).
- Ceremonial / cultic: Some suggest the shields may have been used in temple processions or as votive offerings, given the sacred context of the building (Gill).
- Hyperbolic devaluation of silver: Matthew Henry and others read 'silver was nothing accounted of' as a strong expression rather than a literal statement, emphasizing the extraordinary abundance.
- Literal historical fact: Keil and Delitzsch argue the text records actual economic conditions: the Tarshish fleet brought so much silver it lost its premium status.
What is clear: The passage depicts an era of unprecedented material prosperity in Solomon’s kingdom, with artwork and architecture unsurpassed in the ancient Near East.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose of the 300 gold shields | They were made of beaten gold and displayed in the House of the Forest of Lebanon as a symbol of royal wealth and military might. | Many commentators (Clarke, Barnes) see them as purely ornamental / decorative; others allow for possible ceremonial use in temple processions. No one argues they were used in actual combat, gold is too soft. |
| Significance of silver being 'nothing accounted of' | The text indicates that silver had lost its value as a precious metal during Solomon’s reign because of the immense wealth flowing in. | Some (Matthew Henry) read this as hyperbole emphasizing abundance; others take it as a literal historical fact evidenced by trade revenues. A minority see it as a subtle critique of misplaced values. |
| Location of Tarshish | The fleet went to Tarshish, a distant source of metals and exotica; the voyages occurred every three years. | Most scholars identify Tarshish with Tartessus in southern Spain; some suggest Sardinia, Tunisia, or even a generic term for 'refinery' (cf. Hebrew <em>tarshish</em> meaning 'yellow jasper'). The location affects understanding of the trade routes. |
| Symbolism of the twelve lions on the throne steps | The lions represent royal authority and possibly the twelve tribes of Israel, enhancing the throne’s magnificence. | Gill and others see a specific reference to the twelve tribes as supporters of the throne; Cambridge Bible treats the lions purely as decorative symbols of power without tribal allusion. No consensus. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The passage sits at the zenith of Solomon’s reign, right after the queen of Sheba’s visit (v.13) and just before the summary that Solomon 'exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom' (v.23). The shields were stored in the House of the Forest of Lebanon, a building Solomon constructed (1 Kings 7:2) that measured 100 cubits long, 50 wide, and 30 high, with four rows of cedar pillars. 'House of the Forest' likely refers to the many cedar columns that resembled a forest. This structure functioned as an armory and also as the Hall of Justice (cf. the 'porch of judgment' in 1 Kings 7:7). By hanging shields there, Solomon was displaying his military and economic power publicly.
The great throne of ivory (v.18) was probably not solid ivory but a wooden frame veneered with carved ivory slabs, similar to Ahab’s later 'ivory house' (1 Kings 22:39). The gold overlay was likely applied to parts not covered by ivory. The six steps, rounded back, armrests, and twelve lions reflect typical royal symbolism, lions represented strength, justice, and the king’s dominion. Such thrones have parallels in Egyptian and Assyrian art, but this one was unparalleled in design.
The 'navy of Tarshish' (v.22) most likely refers to ships built for long-distance trade, probably named after Tartessus in Spain (southwest of Gibraltar). The voyage every three years brought gold, silver, ivory, monkeys, and peacocks, luxury goods from Africa and possibly India. Silver was so plentiful it lost its value as a precious metal. This global trade network (also involving Ophir, 1 Kings 9:28) shows Solomon’s strategic alliances, with Hiram of Tyre, and his ability to control key sea routes. Yet these same foreign contacts would later lead to idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-8), a shadow that darkens even this portrait of glory.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries note no significant textual variants that alter the meaning of this passage. The Hebrew word šāḥûṭ (beaten, H7820) appears only here in the Old Testament; some translations render it 'hammered' (BSB) or 'alloyed' (YLT). The parallel in 2 Chronicles 9:16 gives the weight per shield as 100 shekels (1 maneh), while 1 Kings 10:17 says 'three minas' (likely 300 shekels), a discrepancy that Keil and Delitzsch and others attribute to textual transmission or different units, but it does not change the overall picture of lavish expenditure. The LXX adds details about golden laver at verse 21, but these are not present in the Masoretic Text and do not affect the main interpretive question.
Reception History
Jewish tradition in the Talmud (Megillah 10b) celebrates the throne as a masterpiece of divine wisdom, with mechanical lions that roared at false witnesses. Early Christian writers such as Origen allegorized the ivory throne as a type of Christ’s judgment seat, ivory for purity, gold for divinity. During the Reformation, Luther and Calvin preached caution from these verses, warning that visible glory can hide a heart drifting from God. In the Wesleyan tradition, Adam Clarke used the passage to stress the danger of pride in material success. Modern commentators like Brueggemann read this as an ideological text that both celebrates and subtly critiques the monarchy. Across traditions, the passage has been a springboard for sermons on stewardship, the fleeting nature of earthly wealth, and the superior treasure of wisdom.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Splendour on Display, The 300 gold shields and the ivory throne were not just functional; they were visual declarations of God’s blessing and the king’s majesty. Each shield cost three minas of gold (perhaps 2.5 lbs), making them too heavy for battle but perfect for public ornament.
- Abundance That Dulls the Value of Normal Wealth, Silver 'was nothing accounted of' (v.21). When prosperity reaches extremes, even good things lose their perceived worth. This can lead to spiritual numbness if the heart chases the gifts rather than the Giver.
- Trade Routes and Hidden Dangers, The fleet of Tarshish brought exotic goods but also opened Israel to cultural and religious influences that would corrupt Solomon. Prosperity requires vigilance.
Five-point outline
- Shields: Imposing but fragile, beaten gold cannot stop an arrow (v.17).
- Throne: Ivory and gold, but built on steps, human authority is elevated but limited (v.18-19).
- Lions: Twelve silent guardians, a picture of royal power that relies on strength, not the Lord alone (v.20).
- Silver devalued, what happens when God’s gifts become too common to treasure (v.21).
- The fleet: A three-year cycle of blessing that also carried potential ruin (v.22).
Illustration hooks
- A family’s luxury car sits in the garage, rarely driven; it is more about status than function. Similarly, Solomon’s shields were emblems of wealth, not instruments of defence.
- A business owner whose revenue grows so fast that everyday sums seem trivial, and he begins to overlook the small kindnesses that built his success. Silver 'nothing accounted of' captures that drift.
- A church that renovates its sanctuary with elaborate decorations while the heating system remains broken, outward glory can mask inner neglect.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Is it wrong for Christians to have beautiful, expensive things? Where is the line between blessing and excess?
- Why does the Bible spend so much time describing Solomon’s wealth? Is it just history, or is there a warning?
- How can I keep my heart from growing cold toward God when life is going well?
Leading a Discussion
Sitting at the peak of Solomon’s reign, this passage shows Israel’s greatest king at his most magnificent, gold shields, an ivory throne, silver that nobody bothered to count. But the writer includes details that later prove ominous. Use these questions to help your group see both the glory and the hidden cracks.
Discussion questions
- Read 1 Kings 10:17-22 aloud. What single detail stands out most to you, and why?
- The 300 shields were beaten gold, placed in the House of the Forest of Lebanon. Why do you think the writer gives such precise measurements and costs?
- Verse 20 says 'Nothing like it was made in any kingdom.' What feeling does that statement create in the narrative?
- Silver was 'nothing accounted of' (v.21). How does abundance change our perception of value? Can you think of a modern parallel?
- The fleet of Tarshish brought exotic goods (v.22). What might have been the spiritual cost of these trade relationships (see 1 Kings 11:1-4)?
- How does this description of Solomon’s wealth connect with Jesus’ warning in Matthew 6:19-21 about treasures on earth?
- What is one way you can thank God for his provision without letting that provision take his place in your heart?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Kings 7:2 | For he built the House of the Forest of Lebanon. Its length was one hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits, on four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar beams on the pillars. |
| I Kings 14:26 | and he took away the treasures of Yahweh’s house and the treasures of the king’s house. He even took away all of it, including all the gold shields which Solomon had made. |
| I Kings 22:39 | Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he built, and all the cities that he built, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? |
| II Chronicles 9:17 | Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold. |
| II Chronicles 9:19 | Twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other on the six steps. There was nothing like it made in any other kingdom. |
| Psalms 45:6 | Your throne, God, is forever and ever. A scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom. |
| Psalms 45:8 | All your garments smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad. |
| Psalms 110:1 | A Psalm by David. Yahweh says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke calculates the exact gold value of Solomon's shields, citing Reynolds' figures of 28,131 pounds for the targets and 210,976 pounds for the large shields. He notes the Hebrew word for "stays" on the throne is literally "hands," suggesting armrests on a round-backed chair, and identifies the apes as a type of monkey.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes observes that the twelve lions alongside Solomon's throne were not merely decorative but symbolically represented Judah's lion imagery from prophecy and the twelve tribes. He notes the throne's grandeur surpassed any known from Egypt or Assyria, and this opulence, supported by silver imports from Tarshish, explains the great abundance of silver in Solomon's time.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator explains that Solomon's "navy of Tharshish" refers to a class of large trading ships, named from the type of voyage, not the destination. The ivory, apes, and peacocks imported indicate India as the source, with Sanskrit-origin names supporting this connection.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes highlight the sheer extravagance of Solomon's wealth, noting that silver became so common it was not even valued. The description of the golden shields, the ivory throne overlaid with fine gold and flanked by lions, and the luxury goods brought by the navy all point to a kingdom whose material splendor had no equal.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill explores the identity of the Tharshish fleet's destination and the goods it brought, debating whether "peacocks" should be translated "parrots" and where ivory, apes and peacocks originated. He cites classical writers to argue these came from India or the East Indies, not the West Indies or Tarshish in Spain.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that Solomon's throne was made of ivory veneer, not solid, with six steps guarded by lions and a canopy. The navy of Tarshish sailed the Mediterranean every three years, hugging the coast, bringing back rare goods like ivory, apes, and peacocks, likely from North Africa.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch clarifies that Solomon's ornamental shields were not solid gold but wood or basketwork covered with beaten gold, and the throne was not solid ivory but wood overlaid with gold and inlaid with ivory. The twelve lions on the steps likely symbolized rule over the twelve tribes of Israel.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange interprets the twelve lions on Solomon's throne as a symbol of the twelve tribes of Israel, the royal people among nations. The two lions flanking the king, he argues, represent his twofold office of governing and judging, not mere guardianship.