1 kings 9:28 - They came to Ophir, and fetched from there gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to king Solomon.

Generated Verse: 1 kings 9:28

What does "1 kings 9:28" mean?


This verse, 1 Kings 9:28, is a simple historical statement about a specific event during the reign of King Solomon:

"They came to Ophir...": This refers to sailors and traders who were part of a fleet organized or commissioned by King Solomon. Ophir was a place famous for its gold. Its exact location is unknown, but theories place it in various locations including India, the Arabian Peninsula, or East Africa.

"...and fetched from there gold, four hundred and twenty talents...": The purpose of the voyage was to acquire gold. "Four hundred and twenty talents" is a measure of weight. A talent was a significant unit of weight, and the value of 420 talents would have been immense. The exact weight of a talent varied, but it would represent a substantial quantity of gold.

"...and brought it to king Solomon.": The gold was not for the sailors personally, but for King Solomon. This indicates that the voyage was undertaken on his behalf, likely as part of his program to amass wealth and resources for building projects and maintaining his kingdom's power and prestige.

In essence, the verse describes a successful trading expedition to Ophir undertaken by Solomon's fleet to acquire a large quantity of gold, which was then delivered to the king.

Significance:

Solomon's Wealth and Power: The verse highlights Solomon's wealth and the extent of his trading networks. He was able to organize and finance voyages to distant lands to obtain valuable resources.
Ophir's Reputation: It reinforces Ophir's reputation as a source of high-quality gold.
Economic Activity: It demonstrates the economic activity and trade that characterized Solomon's reign, which contributed to Israel's prosperity during that period.
Historical Record: It serves as a historical record, providing a glimpse into the economic practices and international connections of ancient Israel.

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