Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, shields were essential pieces of military equipment, providing protection in battle. Among the various types of shields mentioned in the Scriptures, those made of gold hold particular significance, symbolizing wealth, power, and divine favor.Solomon's Golden Shields The most notable reference to golden shields in the Bible is found during the reign of King Solomon. Solomon, renowned for his wisdom and wealth, commissioned the crafting of these opulent shields. According to 1 Kings 10:16-17 , "King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield. He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold went into each shield. And the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon." These shields were not intended for practical use in warfare but served as symbols of Solomon's prosperity and the glory of his kingdom. They were displayed in the House of the Forest of Lebanon, a part of Solomon's palace complex, underscoring the grandeur and splendor of his reign. The Loss and Replacement of the Golden Shields The golden shields of Solomon's era also serve as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. During the reign of Solomon's son, Rehoboam, the kingdom faced significant challenges. In 1 Kings 14:25-27 , it is recorded that "in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up and attacked Jerusalem. He seized the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the royal palace. He took everything, including all the gold shields that Solomon had made. Then King Rehoboam made bronze shields to replace them and assigned these to the commanders of the guard on duty at the entrance to the royal palace." The replacement of the golden shields with bronze ones symbolizes the decline in the kingdom's glory and the spiritual deterioration that accompanied Rehoboam's reign. The loss of the golden shields was a direct result of the nation's disobedience and failure to uphold the covenant with God. Symbolism and Spiritual Significance In the biblical narrative, gold often represents purity, divinity, and kingship. The golden shields, therefore, can be seen as a representation of divine protection and favor bestowed upon a righteous and obedient leader. Their loss signifies the withdrawal of divine blessing due to unfaithfulness. The imagery of shields in Scripture extends beyond the physical to the spiritual realm. In Ephesians 6:16 , the Apostle Paul exhorts believers to "take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." While not made of gold, this spiritual shield is invaluable, offering protection against spiritual adversaries. In summary, the golden shields of the Bible serve as a testament to the wealth and divine favor of Solomon's reign, a cautionary tale of the consequences of disobedience, and a reminder of the ultimate protection found in faith. Nave's Topical Index 2 Samuel 8:7And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 10:16 1 Kings 17:1 2 Chronicles 9:15,16 Library The Word More Precious than Gold. The Life of Paulus the First Hermit. Conflicts with Giant Mistake Imperial Tombs. The Jews Become Confederates with Caesar when He Fought against ... A Discourse Being Made Archbishop of Armagh, He Suffers Many Troubles. Peace ... Ezekiel's Discourse Almighty. Nahum's Doom of Nineveh Resources What is the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the full armor of God? | GotQuestions.org What is the Star of David and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org Shield: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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