1 Kings 10

1 Kings 10:11

Gold from Ophir] So gold from Uphaz, Jer. X. 9. and Gold of Ophir, Psal. XLV. 9. and Gold of Uphaz, Dan. X. 5. and Gold of Sheba, Ps. LXXII. 15. and Gold of Parvaim, 2 Chron. III. 6. And these are taken for the finest Gold, 1 King. X. 18. compared with 2 Chron. IX. 17. Job XXII. 24. But whether these places be Peru in America; or Fez in Africa; or Sumatra; or Taprobane; or in Arabia; or elsewhere, according to our moderne names, is in these dayes altogether doubtful.

1 Kings 10:22

Tarshish] The name of one of the sonnes of Javan, Gen. X. 4. whose posterity, as some imagine, planted in that part of Spaine, where a Citie, and Region adjacent, thence took the denomination of Tartesus, and Tartesia afterwards: Or rather, as others conceive, they seated themselves in Cilicia, and gave this name of Tarshish, as to the whole Region, so specially to the chief City, and Port-towne there, afterwards called Tarsus, the place of Pauls birth, Acts XXI. 39. and XXII. 3. And that thence the Midland Sea which bordered upon that port and territorie, was called Tarshish; and the ships, either belonging to that Port, or trading to and fro in that Sea, were thence called ships of Tarshish, Esay II. 16. yea, sometimes Tarshish seemes to denote the Arabian, and Persian Gulphs; the Ocean, either Westerne, or Easterne, Ezek. XXVII. 12. or any great Sea; as likewise Pontus doth in Latine: And ships of Tarshish, to be vessels of great bulk and burden, fit to traand traffick in any such Sea, 1 King. X. 22.

1 Kings 10:27

Silver to be in Jerusalem as stones] The Israelites ripe for Rebellion, complain so much of their Oppressions in Solomons peaceable, rich, & glorious reigne, 1 King. X. 27. and XII. 4. 2 Chron. I. 15. and VIII. 8, 9.