1 Kings 10:16

And king Solomon made two hundred targets [ צִנָּה , from a root which signifies protect, a large oblong shield, which covered the entire person ( Psalms 5:12 ), θυρεός , scutum . See 1 Samuel 17:7 , 1 Samuel 17:41 . The LXX . here reads δόρατα , i.e; spears] of beaten gold [The authorities are divided as to the meaning of שָׁחוּט , here translated beaten . This rendering is supported by Bähr and Keil (after Kimchi), but Gesenius understands mixed gold. Rawlinson infers from the weight that the shields were only plated (shields were commonly made of wood, covered with leather). But whether they were solid or not does not decide the question whether the gold was pure or alloyed. "Shields of gold" are mentioned 2 Samuel 8:7 ; 1 Macc. 6:39]: six hundred shekels [Heb. omits shekels, as elsewhere, Genesis 24:22 ; Genesis 37:28 ; 8:26 , etc. There were apparently two kinds of shekel, the Mosaic and the royal (for the latter see 2 Samuel 14:26 ). The former was twice as much as the latter, but there is no agreement amongst commentators as to the weight or value of either. Nor can we be certain which is indicated here. Thenius decides for the former, and estimates the weight of the gold on each target to be 17 ½ lbs; and the value to be 6000 thalers (£900), or, according to Keil, 5000 thalers (£750). Keil, however, inclines to the belief that the royal shekel is meant, in which case the weight would be 9 lbs; and the value about £400. Bähr, however, estimates the gold at no more than £78] of gold went to one target.