Solomon's navy 9:26-28 - Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

Resource > Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable) > 1 Kings > Exposition > I. THE REIGN OF SOLOMON chs. 1--11 > D. The Fruits of Solomon's Reign chs. 9-11 > 2. Further evidences of God's blessing 9:10-28 > Solomon's navy 9:26-28

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God blessed Solomon with an effective navy that brought added wealth from the South and the East. Ophir (v. 28) evidently was in southwest Arabia (10:11; Job 22:24; 28:16).

The writer documented in this section further evidence of God's blessing on Solomon that came to him for his dedication to God. The fertility motif stands out strongly here. Blessing in many different forms came to Solomon and Israel.

However, "Solomon's defense works and monumental buildings drained the nation's wealth while providing only a temporary appearance of strength and grandeur [cf. 12:4]."¹⁰³