Definition: And all king Solomon’s drinking vessels [were of] gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon [were of] pure gold; none [were of] silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 10:21. It's a really significant and fascinating passage about God’s plan for the Temple in Jerusalem! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: God was so impressed with Solomon's wealth and building skills that he decided to completely and utterly focus all of his resources into a single, magnificent temple. He wanted it to be the most beautiful and powerful place imaginable. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: "And all king Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold..." : This means that everything – pots, vases, goblets, and even the tools used for making them – were made of pure, shining gold. Think of the most valuable jewelry! It represented a huge display of his power and divine favor. "...and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon [were of] pure gold; none [were of] silver:" : This is where it gets really interesting. The "forest of Lebanon" was a very important, wealthy region in Israel, known for its high-quality olive oil and other goods. The verse says that all of Solomon’s vessels – the things he used to make things – were made of pure gold. Crucially, there were no silver vessels. This is a huge difference from other kings who might have used silver as well. It signifies a level of purity and importance unmatched at the time. "...it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon." : This is the most important part! The verse says that nobody knew about this incredible display of gold and pure metal. It wasn't something that was discussed or acknowledged during Solomon’s reign. It was a secret, a hidden marvel. What does it all mean? This passage speaks to several key themes: Divine Favor: God is choosing to reward Solomon with an unparalleled display of his power and blessings. Excellence & Glory: The verse emphasizes the importance of creating something truly spectacular – a temple that would be a symbol of divine majesty. Hidden Wealth: There was a deliberate choice to keep this incredible wealth a secret, highlighting God’s desire for reverence and awe. In short, it tells us that Solomon built the most magnificent temple in history because he was blessed by God with an extraordinary gift – a truly dazzling display of gold. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further? Discuss the symbolism behind the gold and the forest of Lebanon? Compare it to other examples of divine favor or grand displays of wealth in the Bible?