16 King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels[1] of gold went into each shield.

Other Translations of 1 Kings 10:16

King James Version

16 And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of gold went to one target.

English Standard Version

16 King Solomon made 200 large shields of beaten gold; 600 shekelsA shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams of gold went into each shield.

The Message

16 King Solomon crafted two hundred body-length shields of hammered gold - seven and a half pounds of gold to each shield

New King James Version

16 And King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield.

New Living Translation

16 King Solomon made 200 large shields of hammered gold, each weighing more than fifteen pounds.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 10:16

Commentary on 1 Kings 10:14-29

(Read 1 Kings 10:14-29)

Solomon increased his wealth. Silver was nothing accounted of. Such is the nature of worldly wealth, plenty of it makes it the less valuable; much more should the enjoyment of spiritual riches lessen our esteem of all earthly possessions. If gold in abundance makes silver to be despised, shall not wisdom, and grace, and the foretastes of heaven, which are far better than gold, make gold to be lightly esteemed? See in Solomon's greatness the performance of God's promise, and let it encourage us to seek first the righteousness of God's kingdom. This was he, who, having tasted all earthly enjoyments, wrote a book, to show the vanity of all worldly things, the vexation of spirit that attends them, and the folly of setting our hearts upon them: and to recommend serious godliness, as that which will do unspeakably more to make us happy, that all the wealth and power he was master of; and, through the grace of God, it is within our reach.