The horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt. The king’s merchants received them in droves, each drove at a price.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 28. Egypt was once very famous for horses, and the breed is much admired by travellers. The Turks will not suffer strangers to have them. The canals made by Sesostris and other kings, caused their numbers to be diminished. Herod. ii. 108.—Yet there were many used in the time of Ezechias. 4 Kennicott. 18:24.—And Coa. Some take this to be the name of some unknown place, ( D.) or of a town in Arabia Felix, (Ptol. vi. 17.) or “of a fair.” Tirinus.—Hebrew “and from Michoe,” which was the ancient name of Troglodytis, near Egypt. Pliny vi. 29. Calmet.—Prot. “and linen yarn; the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at the price.” Mokue signifies “a thread;” ( Bible.) and the linen cloth of Egypt was in high estimation. Isaiah 19:9. Ezekiel 27:7. Pliny xix. 1.—Jarchi and others understand, “a string” of horses, tied together by the tails. But Bochart translates, “They brought horses for Solomon out of Egypt; and, as for the tribute, the custom-house officers of the king received it, at a certain rate,” agreed upon between Solomon and the king of Egypt.