One commentator speaks of this replacement of Solomon’s golden shield with Rehoboam’s as a sign of the nation’s passing from a golden age under Solomon to a bronze age under his son. As we consider that statement in terms of the contrast that is behind it, we ought to remember that at the height of Solomon’s reign, gold was the only precious metal to be found in Jerusalem. Judgments sometimes come economically, as well as militarily.
27 and King Rehoboam made in their place shields of bronze, and committed them to the hands of the officers of the guard, who kept the door of the king’s house.