1 Kings 10:27

27 And he made, that so great abundance of silver was in Jerusalem, (as) how great was also (that) of (the) stones; and he gave the multitude of cedars as (the) sycamores, that grow in field places (and he made cedars to be like the multitude of sycamores, which grow in the fields).

1 Kings 10:27 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 10:27

And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones
By the vast quantity he received from Tarshish; this is an hyperbolical expression:

and cedars made he to be as the sycamore trees that are the vale for
abundance;
not by the growth of them, but by the importation of them from the dominion of Hiram; this is said in the same figurative way; of the sycamore trees, Rauwolff says F7, they are what the Moors and Arabians calls "mumeitz"; which he describes to be as large and as high as white mulberry trees, and having almost the same leaves, but rounder, and their fruit not unlike our figs, only sweeter, and no little seeds within, and not so good; and are therefore not esteemed, and are commonly sold to the poorer sort, and that they grow in all fields and grounds; of which (See Gill on Amos 7:14).


FOOTNOTES:

F7 Travels, par. 1. c. 4. p. 37.

1 Kings 10:27 In-Context

25 And all men brought gifts to him, vessels of gold, and of silver, clothes, and armours of battle (and arms, or weapons, of battle), and sweet smelling things, and horses, and mules, by each year.
26 And Solomon gathered together chariots, and horsemen; and a thousand and four hundred chariots were made to him, and twelve thousand horsemen; and he disposed them by [the] strengthened cities, and with the king in Jerusalem. (And Solomon gathered together chariots, and horsemen; and a thousand and four hundred chariots were made for him, and he had twelve thousand horsemen; and he stationed them in the fortified cities, and with the king himself in Jerusalem.)
27 And he made, that so great abundance of silver was in Jerusalem, (as) how great was also (that) of (the) stones; and he gave the multitude of cedars as (the) sycamores, that grow in field places (and he made cedars to be like the multitude of sycamores, which grow in the fields).
28 And the horses of Solomon were led out of Egypt, and (out) of Coa; for (the) merchants of the king bought them of Coa, and brought them to him, for [the] price ordained. (And Solomon's horses were brought out of Egypt, and out of Coa; for the king's merchants bought them in Coa, and then brought them to him, for the ordained price.)
29 For a chariot went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty shekels; and by this manner all the kings of Hittites, and of Syria, sold horses.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.