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For the king had at sea a navy of Tarshish with the navy of Hiram: once every three years came the navy of Tarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.

Verse Takeaways

1

The 'Tarshish' Puzzle

Scholars debate the destination of this fleet. "Tarshish" is typically identified with Spain, a source of silver. However, the cargo of ivory, apes, and peacocks points to Africa or India. Commentators suggest "navy of Tarshish" might just mean large, long-haul ships, or that these fleets undertook incredible three-year voyages, possibly even circumnavigating Africa, to acquire these diverse and exotic goods.

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Book Overview

1 Kings

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Commentaries

4

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On 1 Kings 10:22

18th Century

Theologian

This is given as the reason for the great abundance of silver in the time of Solomon. The “navy of Tharshish” (not the same as the navy of Ophir me…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On 1 Kings 10:22

19th Century

Bishop

A navy of Tharshish. —There seems little doubt that the Tarshish of Scripture is properly Tartessus in Spain, which name, indeed, …

John Gill

John Gill

On 1 Kings 10:22

17th Century

Pastor

For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish, with the navy of
Hiram

Tharshish was n…

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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On 1 Kings 10:14–29

17th Century

Minister

Solomon increased his wealth. Silver was considered of no value. Such is the nature of worldly wealth: plenty of it makes it less valuable. Even mo…