1 Kings 9:10-28

9:10-10:29 | In chapters 4-5, Solomon’s wealth was described in terms of food that was shared with his subjects rather than how much gold he possessed. This section emphasizes Solomon’s accumulation of gold as a first indicator that Solomon’s heart was being led astray by conspicuous wealth obtained from foreign locales. A talent was about 70 pounds, so Hiram’s gift was an extraordinary amount of wealth.

9:10-14 | There are hints of foolishness here as Solomon fails to provide fair compensation to Hiram the king of Tyre, giving him 20 cities of questionable value in the land of Galilee.

9:15 | Millo means “the fill” and refers to a series of terraces built into a hillside to support homes (11:27; 2 Sam. 5:9; 1 Chron. 11:8; 2 Chron. 32:5).

9:25 | Three times a year points to the three pilgrimage festivals: Unleavened Bread, Weeks, and Tabernacles (Ex. 23:14-16; 2 Chron. 8:12-16). Solomon was still worshiping God at this point, but his focus was increasingly on his wealth and his building projects.

9:26-28 | Ezion Geber lay at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, giving Israel access to the east and south by water. Ophir was probably in southwestern Arabia (10:11; Job 22:24; 28:16). Hiram’s Phoenician seamen were some of the most skillful of their day. The gold brought in from these expeditions helped finance and decorate Solomon’s vast building projects.