²¹ All King Solomon’s goblets were gold, and all the household articles in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold.^(A) Nothing was made of silver, because silver was considered of little value in Solomon’s days. ²² The king had a fleet of trading ships^[a](B) at sea along with the ships^(C) of Hiram. Once every three years it returned, carrying gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons.

²³ King Solomon was greater in riches^(D) and wisdom^(E) than all the other kings of the earth. ²⁴ The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom^(F) God had put in his heart. ²⁵ Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift^(G)—articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules.