1 Kings 4:22-23
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It’s easy to see these numbers and just think, "Wow, Solomon was rich!" But notice the specifics – thirty of fine flour, sixty of meal. This wasn't just a random splurge; it was a meticulously calculated, daily supply for a massive workforce and a bustling kingdom, revealing the incredible organizational skill and immense scale of his enterprise.
Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty cors of fine flour and sixty cors of meal, ten fat oxen, and twenty pasture-fed cattle, a hundred sheep, besides deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened fowl.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse sits in the middle of a chapter detailing the immense wealth and prosperity of King Solomon's reign. Immediately before this, the text lists the names and roles of his chief officials, highlighting the sophisticated administration he put in place. Following this description of his daily food supply, the chapter continues to enumerate his horses, chariots, and wisdom, all painting a picture of a golden age of peace and abundance under his rule.
Imagine trying to feed thousands of people every single day. What does it reveal about Solomon's kingdom when we look at his daily provisions?
A Glimpse into Royal Abundance
This verse drops a huge number on us: "thirty cors of fine flour and sixty cors of meal." What are 'cors'? It's an ancient unit of volume, and 'cors' were large!
Together, these aren't just ingredients; they represent a massive daily output of baked goods and staple foods. This wasn't just for Solomon and his household; this was for the vast administration, the workers, the guests, and the whole apparatus of his thriving kingdom.
How does such extraordinary provision translate into the daily life and functioning of a kingdom? What does it take to keep a 'golden age' running?
The Engine of a Prosperous Nation
These aren't just abstract numbers; they paint a picture of a highly organized and functioning state.
The Infrastructure Required
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To produce and distribute this much food daily required:
This level of provision speaks to a well-oiled machine. It signifies peace, stability, and effective governance. It’s the daily fuel that powered Solomon’s era of unprecedented wisdom, wealth, and influence, allowing his people to live securely and prosper.
Understand the original words
kor · Hebrew Noun
A unit of dry measure in the Old Testament, equivalent to a homer, used for grain, flour, and other agricultural products.
The verse highlights the incredible scale of resources and organization managed during Solomon's reign, reflecting a period of unprecedented peace, prosperity, and divine favor that enabled such lavish provision.
c. 970 BC
Solomon Becomes King of Israel
Upon King David's death, Solomon ascends the throne, inheriting a stable kingdom and vast resources.
c. 967 BC
Temple Construction Begins
Solomon initiates the monumental building project of the First Temple in Jerusalem, requiring immense labor and resources.
c. 965 BC— this verse
Solomon's Golden Age Flourishes
The height of Solomon's reign, marked by peace, prosperity, international trade, and grand construction projects including his palace.
c. 960 BC
Temple Completion and Dedication
The magnificent Temple is finished and dedicated with great ceremony, symbolizing God's presence and Israel's unique status.
c. 931 BC
Death of Solomon
Solomon's death marks the end of a unified Israelite kingdom and the beginning of its division.
This verse immediately follows, detailing the vast quantities of livestock and fowl that accompanied Solomon's daily bread provision, highlighting the immense scale of his wealth and kingdom's resources.
Nehemiah 5:17-18This passage contrasts the enormous daily provisions of Solomon with the struggles of the people under Nehemiah, showing a different picture of royal provision and sustenance during hardship.
Matthew 6:11Jesus teaches us to pray for our daily bread, a simple request that stands in stark contrast to the lavish, almost unimaginable quantities of food prepared for Solomon's household daily.
John 6:11-13This miracle of feeding the five thousand with only a few loaves and fish reveals Jesus' power to provide sustenance, a divine provision that far surpasses even Solomon's material wealth in its miraculous scope and spiritual significance.
It’s easy to see these numbers and just think, "Wow, Solomon was rich!" But notice the specifics – thirty of fine flour, sixty of meal. This wasn't just a random splurge; it was a meticulously calculated, daily supply for a massive workforce and a bustling kingdom, revealing the incredible organizational skill and immense scale of his enterprise.
This verse sits in the middle of a chapter detailing the immense wealth and prosperity of King Solomon's reign. Immediately before this, the text lists the names and roles of his chief officials, highlighting the sophisticated administration he put in place. Following this description of his daily food supply, the chapter continues to enumerate his horses, chariots, and wisdom, all painting a picture of a golden age of peace and abundance under his rule.
This verse sits in the middle of a chapter detailing the immense wealth and prosperity of King Solomon's reign. Immediately before this, the text lists the names and roles of his chief officials, highlighting the sophisticated administration he put in place. Following this description of his daily food supply, the chapter continues to enumerate his horses, chariots, and wisdom, all painting a picture of a golden age of peace and abundance under his rule.
"Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty cors of fine flour and sixty cors of meal, ten fat oxen, and twenty pasture-fed cattle, a hundred sheep, besides deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened fowl." — It’s easy to see these numbers and just think, "Wow, Solomon was rich!" But notice the specifics – thirty of fine flour, sixty of meal. This wasn't just a random splurge; it was a meticulously calc…
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Last reviewed October 2026
