Moreover, the fleet of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought from Ophir a very great amount of almug wood and precious stones.
The story of the queen of Sheba pauses here for a different cargo. Hiram's fleet brings back gold, jewels and a rare timber from Ophir. Two questions sit inside the verse. What was this almug wood? And why does the writer break off mid-story to mention it?
The wood
Chronicles records the same shipment under a slightly different name. Read together, the two accounts identify the tree:
Morrish Bible DictionaryBy comparing 1 Kings 10:11 with 2 Chronicles 9:10-11, it is clear that the two names refer to the same tree. It came from the same place, Ophir, and served the same purposes: pillars or props, terraces or stairs, harps and other stringed instruments... It is thought to be sandalwood. Josephus describes this wood as an unusual pine, not like the trees called pine in his day. It looked like the wood of a fig tree, but whiter and more shining.
Where Ophir was
The verse names Ophir but never says where it was. The suggestions run from Arabia to India to Africa:
Morrish Bible DictionaryThe place from which Solomon imported gold, precious stones, and almug trees. These were brought by ships to the Gulf of Akaba. Possibly southern Arabia is meant; but India and Africa have also been suggested.
Whose ships
The verse calls the fleet Hiram's, not Solomon's, and the reason is practical:
Morrish Bible DictionaryThe Israelites were not a seafaring people. Solomon had a fleet of ships at Ezion Geber, on the eastern branch of the Red Sea. But Hiram sent his sailors, who knew the sea, along with the servants of Solomon.
Why the story pauses here
One commentator reads the break in the queen's visit as a contrast — what she gave, and what the ships brought:
Leslie M. GrantVerses 11 and 12 are an aside. They show both a comparison and a contrast with the gifts of the Queen of Sheba. Her gifts showed lovely personal affection, and they were of great value. But the ships of Hiram brought great amounts of almug trees and precious stones from Ophir. The almug trees supplied steps (or a railing) for both the house of the Lord and the king's house. They also supplied harps and other stringed instruments. Servants of Solomon brought this wood. It gave the people support (the railings) and joy (the music). So Israel will be supported and rejoicing in the coming kingdom of the Lord Jesus. The precious stones, which speak of the fruit of the Spirit of God, will not be lacking in the servants of God in that kingdom, even in those who are not as fully devoted as some others.
One of those instruments has a history and a place all its own:
Morrish Bible DictionaryThe harp is remarkable for its soft, soothing sounds. David used it to drive away the evil spirit from Saul (1 Samuel 16:23). It is also the only musical instrument pictured as a symbol in heaven. Revelation 5:8; Revelation 14:2: called "the harps of God" in Revelation 15:2.
What the wealth points to
One writer reads all this wealth as a preview of a greater reign:
Arno Clemens Gaebelein"King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom." He is a picture of the coming King who will be head of all... All this glory and wealth of Solomon and Jerusalem foreshadows the fulfilment of many prophecies about the glorious reign of our Lord Jesus Christ. Greater splendour and glory will rest upon Him and come to Jerusalem than in Solomon's reign.
The shadow on the gold
The same writer also sees a shadow. Reading the parallel account in Chronicles, he links Solomon's trade to his fall:
Arno Clemens GaebeleinSolomon's failure, however, is indicated in this chapter. The horses from Egypt in verse 28, his multiplying of horses, and his seeking the gold of Ophir all show that he became proud.
Summary
- Cargo. Kings and Chronicles name the same tree, shipped from one place, Ophir. It was likely sandalwood — like fig wood to look at, but whiter and brighter.
- Carriers. Israel was not a seafaring nation. The cargo arrived because Hiram lent sailors who knew the sea.
- Support. The wood became steps and railings for the house of the Lord and for the king's house.
- Joy. The same timber became harps — the one instrument pictured in heaven. The kingdom is not only held up. It is made glad.
- King. Solomon's riches sketch a greater reign to come. Yet the same gold, with Egypt's horses, is where his own heart began to lift in pride.