1 Kings 10 27

1 Kings 10:27

ESV: And the king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stone, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore of the Shephelah.

KJV: And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycamore trees that are in the vale, for abundance.

NIV: The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills.

NKJV: The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedar trees as abundant as the sycamores which are in the lowland.

NLT: The king made silver as plentiful in Jerusalem as stone. And valuable cedar timber was as common as the sycamore-fig trees that grow in the foothills of Judah.

Meaning

King Solomon's reign saw such unparalleled prosperity in Jerusalem that previously precious materials like silver became as abundant as common stones. Similarly, valuable cedar wood, typically imported, became as widespread and readily available as native sycamore trees growing in the lowlands. This illustrates the extraordinary material blessings bestowed upon Israel under Solomon's leadership, symbolizing the height of its power and wealth as a fulfillment of divine promise.

Cross References

Context

This verse is part of the extensive description of Solomon's magnificent reign, immediately following the visit of the Queen of Sheba, who was awestruck by his wisdom and wealth (1 Kings 10:1-13). It highlights the apex of Israel's national prosperity and global prestige. Solomon's unprecedented wealth stemmed from several factors: God's direct blessing in response to his prayer for wisdom, tribute from surrounding nations, and his strategic control over major trade routes, especially for chariots, horses, gold, and exotic goods (1 Kings 10:22, 28-29).

Historically, the Syro-Palestinian corridor, where Israel was situated, was a critical land bridge between Egypt and Mesopotamia. Solomon effectively leveraged this geographical advantage. The use of hyperbolic language in this verse emphasizes the qualitative change in Jerusalem's economic status, where once-scarce luxury goods became commonplace. This depiction not only serves to glorify Solomon but also, more importantly, to demonstrate the profound extent of God's favor and blessing upon His chosen king and nation when in covenant obedience. The abundance of cedar, used in building the Temple and royal palace, reflects the extensive construction projects during this prosperous era, transforming the capital city.

Word analysis

• "The king": Refers specifically to Solomon (Hebrew: שְׁלֹמֹה, Shlomo), signifying his central role in orchestrating Israel's economy and extensive building projects, enabled by divine favor.

• "made": Hebrew: עָשָׂה ('asah). This verb denotes an active process of bringing about, shaping, or producing, implying Solomon's industrious efforts and success in resource management, though underpinned by God's blessings.

• "silver": Hebrew: כֶּסֶף (kesef). A precious metal universally valued as a medium of exchange and a measure of wealth in the ancient world. Its sheer abundance dramatically altered its perceived worth.

• "as common in Jerusalem as stones": Stones (Hebrew: אֲבָנִים, avanim) were ordinary, inexpensive, and readily available construction materials found everywhere. The simile signifies silver’s extraordinary prevalence in Jerusalem (Hebrew: יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, Yerushalayim), transforming what was precious into something of negligible cost due to its sheer quantity. This is hyperbole indicating immense wealth.

• "and he made": A repetition of the verb 'asah, reinforcing the direct and deliberate nature of Solomon's (divinely-empowered) actions in increasing these materials.

• "cedars": Hebrew: אֲרָזִים (arazim). Specifically refers to the magnificent Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani), prized for its beauty, strength, durability, aromatic scent, and resistance to decay. It was the premier timber for temples, palaces, and ships, primarily imported at great cost from Phoenicia (1 Ki 5:6).

• "as plentiful as sycamore trees": Sycamore (Hebrew: שִׁקְמִים, shikmim, refers to Ficus sycomorus, or sycomore fig). These were common, fast-growing trees indigenous to the region, providing soft, coarse, less valuable wood suitable for everyday objects or minor construction. The comparison underscores the transformation of a rare, expensive commodity (cedar) into one as common as an inferior, native tree.

• "in the Shephelah": Hebrew: הַשְּׁפֵלָה (ha-Shefelah). This refers to the western lowlands or foothills of Judah, where sycamore trees naturally grew in abundance (2 Chr 1:15 is an exact parallel in phrase, affirming the natural habitat). Specifying this region grounds the comparison in a tangible reality known to the original audience, making the contrast with the imported cedars even more striking.

• "The king made silver...as common...as stones": This phrase dramatically portrays the extent of Solomon's wealth. It isn't just that he had silver, but that its overwhelming quantity rendered it practically valueless by traditional standards in Jerusalem. This represents an unprecedented economic status, almost a reversal of normal commodity values, signifying God's radical blessing.

• "he made cedars...as plentiful as sycamore trees in the Shephelah": This extends the hyperbole, showcasing a luxury building material becoming universally accessible. The contrast between precious, imported cedar and common, native sycamore underscores the almost fantastical scale of Solomon's resources, implying a kingdom overflowing with opulence. The mention of the Shephelah adds realism to the 'common' part of the simile.

Commentary

1 Kings 10:27 encapsulates the peak of Israel's glory and prosperity under King Solomon, serving as a powerful illustration of God's abundant blessing. The verse employs hyperbole to communicate a profound theological truth: that divine favor can radically transform scarcity into super-abundance. Solomon, having sought wisdom above riches (1 Ki 3:13), received both in an extraordinary measure, directly from God's hand. The descriptions of silver being like common stones and cedar like abundant sycamore are not mere economic statistics but a testimony to a miraculous level of provision. This material overflow was intrinsic to the depiction of Solomon's "golden age," reflecting the peace and prosperity experienced when the king (and nation) remained faithful. However, it also implicitly sets a high standard for future kings and reminds the reader that such blessings are contingent on continued obedience, as Solomon's own later life demonstrated the perils of straying from God's commands despite immense wealth (1 Ki 11). Ultimately, this verse celebrates the magnanimity of God's blessing when His people prioritize His wisdom and righteous rule.

Bonus section

• The immense prosperity described could be seen as a temporary re-establishment of paradisiacal abundance (similar to the Garden of Eden's provision), highlighting the possibility of divine super-abundance breaking through the curse of scarcity in a significant, though limited, way.
• Solomon's reign, as depicted here, became the standard against which all subsequent Israelite kings were measured, setting an expectation of divine blessing for obedient rule that was rarely met again.
• This depiction emphasizes a central theme throughout the Books of Kings and Chronicles: material prosperity as a sign of divine blessing on righteous leadership, contrasted with decline as a consequence of sin and disobedience.
• The very nature of this wealth, particularly the transformation of precious materials into common ones, serves as a rhetorical device to magnify God's power and benevolence rather than solely Solomon's economic acumen.

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