=13‒28= (= 1 Kings x. 14‒27). SOLOMON’S GREATNESS. ¹³Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold; =13.= _six hundred and threescore and six_] This may be called a “round” number, for a system of counting based on the number _six_ was known in ancient times, e.g. among the Assyrians. Taken literally, the amount, which would be equal to about £4,000,000 and of course of vastly greater purchasing power than the same sum to-day, is fantastically large. For similar high figures, compare 1 Chronicles xxii. 14 (note). ¹⁴beside that which the chapmen and merchants brought: and all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon. =14.= _chapmen_] The English word means “merchant”; compare the verb, “to chaffer” and the German “Kaufmann.” The Hebrew word means literally “those who go about” as merchants. _governors_] Hebrew _paḥoth_ (plural of _peḥah_; compare “Pasha”), a word applied specially to governors of provinces of the Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian empires. Presumably governors outside the land of Israel are here meant. ¹⁵And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred _shekels_ of beaten gold went to one target. =15.= _targets_] Hebrew _ṣinnah_, a word meaning a large shield; compare 1 Samuel xvii. 7. On the other hand in verse 16 (Hebrew _māgēn_) small shields are meant. The English renderings should be transposed so as to read “shields” in verse 15 and “targets” in verse 16. _six hundred shekels_] About 21 lbs. avoirdupois. _went to one target_] Render (also in verse 16) =were spread upon one target=. ¹⁶And _he made_ three hundred shields of beaten gold; three hundred _shekels_ of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon. ¹⁷Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold. =16.= _shields_] See note on verse 15. _the house of the forest of Lebanon_] So called probably because it was built of cedar of Lebanon (1 Kings vii. 2). It was in Jerusalem and seems to have existed as late as the time of Isaiah (Isaiah xxii. 8) when it was in use as an armoury. ¹⁸And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays¹ on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the stays. ¹⁹And 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. ²⁰And 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: silver was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon. ¹ Or, _arms_ Hebrew _hands_.