1 Kings 10:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: A chariot could be imported from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver and a horse for 150, and so through the king 's traders they were exported to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.

NIV: They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. They also exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and of the Arameans.

NASB: A chariot was imported from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for 150; and by the same means they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of the Arameans.

CSB: A chariot was imported from Egypt for fifteen pounds of silver, and a horse for nearly four pounds. In the same way, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Aram through their agents.

NLT: At that time chariots from Egypt could be purchased for 600 pieces of silver, and horses for 150 pieces of silver. They were then exported to the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Aram.

KJV: And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means.

NKJV: Now a chariot that was imported from Egypt cost six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse one hundred and fifty; and thus, through their agents, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.

First Kings 10:23–29 recounts God's final blessing to Solomon (1 Kings 3:13): the respect of the nations (2 Chronicles 9:22–28). When the known world hears of Solomon's wisdom, rulers come to seek his advice and offer him gifts. Egypt allows him to trade its horses and chariots. Sadly, Solomon isn't satisfied. Along with gold and jewels, the foreign rulers bring seven hundred of their princesses; the princesses bring their foreign gods. Solomon foolishly takes all they have to offer, betraying his God for worthless idols (1 Kings 11:1–8).

God blesses Solomon with wisdom, riches, and honor (2 Chronicles 9). The queen of Sheba arrives and witnesses Solomon's greatness. She immediately praises God for blessing Israel with a wise king. Solomon earns the honor of foreign rulers who bring gifts and wives (1 Kings 11:3). He proves to be a shrewd investor, sending sea merchants out with Hiram of Tyre to bring back treasure, and trading Egypt's horses and chariots to northern nations. Yahweh (Exodus 3:15) gives Solomon foreign wealth, honor, and women, but it isn't enough. He betrays God and accumulates foreign idols as well (1 Kings 11:1–8).

First Kings 10 describes the fulfillment of God's promise to give Solomon wisdom, wealth, and honor in 1 Kings 3:5–15 (2 Chronicles 9). The chapter also foreshadows Judah's future. The queen of Sheba worships Yahweh while Solomon's wives will entice him into idolatry (1 Kings 11:1–8). Solomon's son will reject his officials' wise counsel; he'll lose half the kingdom (1 Kings 12:1–24) and Solomon's riches (1 Kings 14:25–26). Jehoshaphat will try to replicate Solomon's sea trade and fail (1 Kings 22:48–50). And the Babylonians will "honor" Hezekiah's wealth by planning to steal it (2 Kings 10:12–19). God's blessings are good, but we can always tarnish them.

This was originally the first half of a combined text. First Kings records the end of David's reign and the rule of Solomon. After this, the kingdom is split in two. The northern nation of Israel no longer submits to the king of the southern nation, called Judah. The prophet Elijah first appears in this book. The kings mostly fail to honor the Lord. They participate in idolatry and other sins. This will eventually result in their conquest and exile, as depicted throughout the books of Chronicles.