Shields: Provided by the Kings of Israel in Great Abundance
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Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative, shields are frequently mentioned as essential items of warfare and protection, symbolizing strength and divine favor. The kings of Israel, particularly during the united and divided monarchy periods, are noted for their provision of shields in great abundance, reflecting both their military prowess and their commitment to safeguarding the nation.

Historical Context and Significance

Shields in ancient Israel were primarily used by soldiers to protect themselves in battle. They were typically made of wood and covered with leather, sometimes reinforced with metal. The provision of shields by the kings of Israel signifies not only the preparation for physical warfare but also the spiritual readiness to defend the nation against its enemies.

Biblical References

1. Solomon's Golden Shields: King Solomon, renowned for his wealth and wisdom, is noted for making shields of gold. In 1 Kings 10:16-17 , it is recorded: "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, while not used in battle, symbolized the prosperity and divine blessing upon Solomon's reign.

2. Rehoboam's Bronze Shields: After the division of the kingdom, Rehoboam, Solomon's son, faced the invasion of Shishak, king of Egypt, who took away the treasures of the temple and the royal palace, including the golden shields. In response, Rehoboam made bronze shields to replace them. As recorded in 1 Kings 14:27 : "So King Rehoboam made bronze shields to replace them and assigned these to the commanders of the guard who protected the entrance to the king’s palace." This act demonstrated a pragmatic approach to maintaining royal dignity and military readiness despite the loss.

3. Jehoshaphat's Military Reforms: King Jehoshaphat of Judah, known for his religious reforms and military organization, also provided shields in abundance. In 2 Chronicles 17:2 , it is noted: "He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured." Jehoshaphat's actions ensured that the nation was well-defended and prepared for any external threats.

Symbolism and Theological Implications

In the biblical worldview, shields are not merely physical objects but carry deep symbolic meaning. They represent God's protection over His people. Psalm 18:2 declares, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." This verse highlights the belief that ultimate protection comes from God, who is the true shield of Israel.

The abundance of shields provided by the kings of Israel underscores their role as protectors of the nation, entrusted with the responsibility to lead and defend God's chosen people. Their actions reflect a commitment to both physical and spiritual security, ensuring that the nation remains under the divine protection and guidance of the Lord.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Chronicles 11:12
And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 26:14
And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.
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2 Chronicles 32:5
Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.
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Library

A Discourse
... And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon' (1 Kings 10:16,17;
2 ... Shields and targets are weapons defensive, weapons provided for self ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Two tribes having been thus provided for, the bulk of ... Adoni-bezek said, Threescore
and ten kings, having their ... the tidings answered and said, Israel is fled ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... gaiters, buskins of soft leather, and large wickerwork shields covered with ... reach,
and would inevitably fall into his hands provided his courage ... 2 Kings 21:16 ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... Moses, the man of God, was with the children of Israel in the ... 'Will he plead against
me with his great power ... lives in general, than other people are (2 Kings 4:9 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... and helmets, or of duplicating their shields, with the ... had lessened during the troubles
under the heretic kings. ... activity, but apparently with no great success ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

Footnotes
... The Large Declaration, under the Kings name, in ... the battle of Bothwell bridge (Shields'
Faithful Contendings ... Gataker's "God's Eye on his Israel","preface, Lond ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... they have for shields of gold, made themselves shields of brass ... of this great anger?'
(Deut.29:24; 1 Kings 9:8 ... upon the rocks and ruins that are provided for them ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... the fire of Vesta, the Palladium, the sacred shields, and all ... that by a plan of
salvation it is provided for us ... It is written: "He has made us kings also, and ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... the second part of the encounter, fixing my hope like great David [1070 ... appearance
of numbers, seem nevertheless, if only by their serried shields, to conduce ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, have not obtained it (v 30 ...
4.) A child, when it is in its mother's lap, the mother takes great delight to ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

Resources
What does it mean to be still and know that I am God? | GotQuestions.org

Is God perfect? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of perfection in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Shields

Shields in Times of Peace Were Hung up in Towers or Armouries

Shields of the Vanquished, often Burned

Shields were Scarce in Israel in the Days of Deborah and Barak

Shields: A Disgrace to Lose, or Throw Away

Shields: A Part of Defensive Armour

Shields: Before War: Anointed

Shields: Before War: Gathered Together

Shields: Before War: Often Made Red

Shields: Before War: Repaired

Shields: Before War: Uncovered

Shields: Faith

Shields: Favour of God

Shields: Frequently Made of, or Covered With: Brass

Shields: Frequently Made of, or Covered With: Gold

Shields: Kinds of Often Borne by an Armour Bearer

Shields: Kinds of The Buckler or Target

Shields: Kinds of The Small Shield

Shields: Many of the Israelites Used, With Expertness

Shields: Protection of God

Shields: Provided by the Kings of Israel in Great Abundance

Shields: Said to Belong to God

Shields: Salvation of God

Shields: Truth of God

Related Terms

Spears (25 Occurrences)

Bucklers (9 Occurrences)

Targets (7 Occurrences)

Armory (5 Occurrences)

Buckler (19 Occurrences)

Bows (28 Occurrences)

Equipped (17 Occurrences)

Arms (166 Occurrences)

Hadadezer (18 Occurrences)

Shield (65 Occurrences)

Treasures (77 Occurrences)

Replace (11 Occurrences)

Runners (21 Occurrences)

Mail (11 Occurrences)

Couriers (16 Occurrences)

Alloyed (4 Occurrences)

Applied (22 Occurrences)

Hadade'zer (18 Occurrences)

Coats (29 Occurrences)

Habergeons (2 Occurrences)

Guarded (27 Occurrences)

Shishak (6 Occurrences)

Armor (53 Occurrences)

Belonged (105 Occurrences)

Palace (194 Occurrences)

Rehobo'am (42 Occurrences)

Whereon (45 Occurrences)

Towers (38 Occurrences)

Royal (154 Occurrences)

Rehoboam (42 Occurrences)

Shift (1 Occurrence)

Armour (32 Occurrences)

Assigned (64 Occurrences)

Captains (159 Occurrences)

Neck (97 Occurrences)

Forest (67 Occurrences)

Officers (171 Occurrences)

Beaten (73 Occurrences)

Arrows (59 Occurrences)

Pontius (4 Occurrences)

Pilate (60 Occurrences)

Hung (27 Occurrences)

Spear (55 Occurrences)

Hang (37 Occurrences)

Provided (68 Occurrences)

Strengthened (113 Occurrences)

Including (90 Occurrences)

Weapons (66 Occurrences)

Exceeding (101 Occurrences)

Siege (63 Occurrences)

Commanders (93 Occurrences)

Duty (90 Occurrences)

Quivers (1 Occurrence)

300000 (3 Occurrences)

Valuable (17 Occurrences)

Valuables (4 Occurrences)

Valorous (1 Occurrence)

Uzzi'ah (26 Occurrences)

Units (14 Occurrences)

Ostrich (9 Occurrences)

Gammad (1 Occurrence)

Gamad (1 Occurrence)

Gammadim (1 Occurrence)

Gammadims (1 Occurrence)

Wielding (4 Occurrences)

Willing-hearted (3 Occurrences)

Immense (11 Occurrences)

Flake

Fires (8 Occurrences)

Terraces (9 Occurrences)

Target (14 Occurrences)

Turrets (3 Occurrences)

Resolutely (5 Occurrences)

Runs (28 Occurrences)

Rushes (13 Occurrences)

Repaired (46 Occurrences)

Repairing (12 Occurrences)

Reinforced (2 Occurrences)

Shields: Protection of God
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