For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
The king's ships sailed to Tarshish with Huram's servants. Every three years, these trading ships would return bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
This verse describes Solomon's prosperous international trade network that brought exotic goods and wealth to Israel every three years.
📚 Historical Context
This refers to King Solomon's extensive trading operations around 950 BC, conducted in partnership with King Hiram of Tyre (called Huram here). Tarshish was likely a distant trading port, possibly in Spain or another Mediterranean location, representing the far reaches of the known world at that time. These luxury imports demonstrated Israel's wealth and international influence during Solomon's reign.
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