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Solomon’s Wealth and Splendor ((2 Chronicles 1:14–17; 2 Chronicles 9:13–20)

14 The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents, not including the revenue from the merchants, traders, and all the Arabian kings and governors of the land.

King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield. He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold went into each shield. And the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.

Additionally, the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold. The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest. Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like this had ever been made for any kingdom.

(2 Chronicles 9:11)

(The fleet of Hiram that brought gold from Ophir also brought from Ophir a great cargo of almug wood [sandelwood?] and precious stones. The king made the almug wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had such almug wood been brought in, nor has such been seen again to this day.)

Primary Old Testament References to Ophir

Multiple passages connect Ophir with gold of astonishing quality and value. In 1 Kings, we read:

• “And they sailed to Ophir and brought back 420 talents of gold” (1 Kings 9:28).

This gold was then given to King Solomon, whose reign was marked by significant building projects, including the temple in Jerusalem. In another place, the text states:

• “The servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon who brought gold from Ophir also brought algum wood and precious stones” (2 Chronicles 9:10).

The gold from Ophir is upheld as a standard of excellence and rarity in wisdom literature:

• “It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir” (Job 28:16).

And again, the psalmist employs Ophir’s gold to describe regal splendor:

• “At Your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir” (Psalm 45:9).

Source: Bible Hub

Where Did the Gold Come From?

By today’s standards, Solomon was reputed to have a personal fortune in excess of $60 trillion. Much of this came in the form of pure gold. By the end of his sovereignty, estimations indicated that he owned 500 tons of gold. Modern gold usually comes in the form of bullion. But King Solomon used a portion of his gold to fashion items such as shields, cups, and plates.

King Solomon’s temple, built in the mid 10th century BC, was bedecked in gold. At his palace, builders constructed his throne from a combination of gold and other precious material, ivory. A gold footstool rested at its base. Leading up to his golden throne, a dozen life-size replicas of lions formed a guard of honor on six steps.

Unfortunately for historians, the Bible never went into specific detail about King Solomon’s mine of Ophir. There was never a specific record of its location: only general clues that could pertain to a number of places. Scholars believe that Solomon worked with another regent, Phoenician King Hiram, to acquire vast quantities of gold. Hiram ruled a region known at the time as Tyre, which is believed to be located within modern-day Lebanon.

The Phoenicians were renowned sailors and established several outposts throughout the Mediterranean sea. Some also say that part of this commerce extended into the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, perhaps even as far south as Africa. Because the Phoenicians traveled extensively, the exact location of this fabled source of gold is open to interpretation.

Excerpt Source: Historic Mysteries

Geographical Theories

Throughout history, scholars and explorers have proposed various locations for Ophir:

• Arabia: Certain analyses of ancient trade routes suggest it could have been in the southwestern Arabian Peninsula, where spices and metals were transported.

• Africa: Some connect Ophir with areas on Africa’s eastern coast, particularly in regions with known ancient gold mines (e.g., regions in modern-day Ethiopia or perhaps Zimbabwe, sometimes connected with the legendary mines).

• Indian Subcontinent: Others propose that Ophir lay farther east, aligning with evidence of trade between the Middle East and the Indian coastal areas.

No single site has achieved universal acceptance. However, the quest to pinpoint Ophir underscores the Bible’s historical setting of international commerce, resonating with archaeological findings that attest to widespread economic exchange in the ancient Near East.

One thing we can know for sure -- there is 0.0% chance The Controllers would ever allow the beans to be spilled on the exact location of "Ophir" and its gold source.

Where did the Gold go? A hint as far as I can see: Hiram was Phoenician (and did Phoenicia ever really disappear? Or just "masked and hidden as other peoples"? Another subject to explore.)

Briefly, back to King Solomon -- he was the son of King David, given the blessing of "Wisdom" from God and unprecedented wealth. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines (!!), many of whom were foreign princesses.

His marriages led him away from worshiping God, as he was influenced by the false gods of his wives, which ultimately resulted in his disobedience to God's commands.

Solomon is said to be the author of Ecclesiastes. Despite untold wealth, later in his life applying his unique wisdom, he awakened to understand the real meaning of life and futility of worldly pursuits, emphasizing that "all is like a vapor" without God.

Further reflecting on the fleeting nature of wealth, wisdom, and pleasure, he ultimately concluding that the true purpose of life is to fear God and keep His commandments.