14. in addition to the taxes paid by the traders and merchants. The kings of Arabia and the governors of the Israelite districts also brought him silver and gold.
15. Solomon made 200 large shields, each of which was covered with about seven kilogrammes of beaten gold,
16. and 300 smaller shields, each covered with about three kilogrammes of beaten gold. He had them all placed in the Hall of the Forest of Lebanon.
17. The king also had a large throne made. Part of it was covered with ivory and the rest of it was covered with pure gold.
18. Six steps led up to the throne, and there was a footstool attached to it, covered with gold. There were arms on each side of the throne, and the figure of a lion stood at each side.
19. Twelve figures of lions were on the steps, one at either end of each step. No throne like this had ever existed in any other kingdom.
20. All King Solomon's cups were made of gold, and all the utensils in the Hall of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. Silver was not considered valuable in Solomon's day.
21. He had a fleet of ocean-going ships sailing with King Hiram's fleet. Every three years his fleet would return, bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys.
22. King Solomon was richer and wiser than any other king in the world.
23. They all consulted him, to hear the wisdom that God had given him.