1 Kings 10:12

Verse

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 to this day.)

American Standard Version (1901)

And the king made of the almug-trees pillars for the house of Jehovah, and for the king’s house, harps also and psalteries for the singers: there came no such almug-trees, nor were seen, unto this day.

Bible in Basic English

And from the sandal-wood the king made pillars for the house of the Lord, and for the king's house, and instruments of music for the makers of melody: never has such sandal-wood been seen to this day.

Free Bible Version

The king used the algum wood to make steps for the Temple and for the royal palace, and into lyres and harps for the musicians. Nothing like them had ever been seen before in the land of Judah.)

Geneva Bible 1599

And the King made of ye Almuggim trees pillars for the house of the Lord, and for ye Kings palace, and made harpes and psalteries for singers. There came no more such Almuggim trees, nor were any more seene vnto this day.

King James (Authorized) Version

And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the LORD, and for the king’s house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day.

Translation for Translators

King Solomon told his workers to use that wood to make railings/supports in the temple of Yahweh and in the king’s palace and also to make harps and lyres for the ◄musicians/men who played musical instruments►. That wood was the largest amount of (OR, the finest) wood that had ever been seen in Israel. And no one since then has ever seen so much wood of that kind.

Unlocked Literal Bible

The king made almug wood pillars for the temple of Yahweh and for the king's palace, and harps and lyres for the singers. No such quantity of almug wood has ever come or been seen again to this day.

Noah Webster Bible

And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the LORD, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug-trees, nor have they been seen to this day.

World English Bible

The king made of the almug trees pillars for Yahweh’s house and for the king’s house, harps also and stringed instruments for the singers; no such almug trees came or were seen to this day.

Young's Literal Translation

and the king maketh the almug-trees a support for the house of Jehovah, and for the house of the king, and harps and psalteries for singers; there have not come such almug-trees, nor have there been seen [such] unto this day.

Context

The Queen of Sheba

¹¹(The fleet of Hiram that brought gold from Ophir also brought from Ophir a great cargo of almug wood and precious stones.¹²The 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 to this day.)

Summary

This verse describes the great wealth and wisdom of King Solomon, highlighting his unique position of prosperity and influence among all the kings of the earth. The abundance of gold, spices, and precious stones brought to Solomon by the Queen of Sheba symbolizes the fulfillment of God's promise to bless him with unparalleled riches. Solomon's wisdom and prosperity not only impressed the Queen of Sheba but also served as a testament to the faithfulness of God in honoring His covenant with King David. The exchange between Solomon and the Queen of Sheba showcases the divine favor upon Solomon's reign and the recognition of God's sovereignty over all nations.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the Lord, and for the king's house,.... Or terraces, as in Ch2 9:11, causeways; and means the ascent or causeway he made from his own house to the temple; the pavement of which, as Jarchi interprets the word here, was made of the wood of these trees; or the supports of it, or rather the rails on each side, on which men might stay themselves as they passed along, as Ben Gersom; and since this ascent was admired by the queen of Sheba, it is particularly observed what wood it was made of, and from whence it came: harps also, and psalteries for singers; these musical instruments were made of the same wood; Josephus (i) says of amber, and that their number was 400,000: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day; not in the land of Israel, neither before nor since, see Ch2 9:11. (i) Antiqu. l. 8. c. 3. sect. 8.