And Solomon's horses were imported from Egypt, and Kue; the king's merchants obtained them from Kue at a fixed price — Solomon developed an international horse-trading network, importing equines from Egypt and Kue (Cilicia, in southern Anatolia), establishing a commerce monopoly that generated wealth through redistribution. The phrase סְחַרֵי־הַמֶּלֶךְ (sochare-hammelekh, 'the king's merchants') suggests a royal trading monopoly; horses were imported אֶל־מִצְרַיִם מִמִּצְרַיִם (from Egypt and back through Egypt, a major entrepôt). The 'fixed price' suggests systematic commerce rather than random acquisition. This mercantile activity demonstrates Solomon's wisdom in economic administration: he controls a luxury trade that enriches the crown while meeting military needs for quality chariotry. The international commercial network also symbolizes Solomon's diplomatic reach and the peace ('rest from all sides,' as mentioned later) that permits such enterprise.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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