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: The word vessels is a translation of a very general Hebrew term that may be rendered in a wide variety of ways from “utensils” to “armor” (see the comments on 1 Chr 28.13, where it is translated “vessels”). In this context the first reference is clearly to utensils used for drinking. The second occurrence may be translated by a more general term such as “utensils” (Good News Translation, New American Bible) since the text does not indicate what these vessels were or what their function was. New International Version speaks of “household articles.”

For the House of the Forest of Lebanon, see the comments on verse 16. For the Hebrew expression rendered pure gold, see 2 Chr 4.20.

Silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon: Although some biblical writings indicate that silver was a sign of wealth (Isa 60.17; Zech 9.3), the writer of this verse states that silver was not as highly valued as gold was in the time of Solomon. This overstatement is doubtless a way of highlighting the great wealth of the kingdom of Israel under Solomon. The connection of this final statement with what precedes is not certain, but it is possible to understand this final statement as an explanation of why the drinking cups and utensils were made of gold instead of silver. New Living Translation, for example, says “They were not made of silver because silver was considered of little value in Solomon’s day!” The passive verb was … considered will have to be made active in some languages. The idea is “people did not consider” or “no one considered.” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says “There was nothing of silver, because in the time of Solomon silver had little value.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .