Gifts Fit for a King

"Astrologers from the East opened their treasures and presented him with gifts-gold and frankincense and myrrh." -Matthew 2:1, 11. 

WHAT would you choose as a present for a very important person?  In Bible times some spices were a precious as gold-so valuable that they constituted gifts fit for a king. That is why two of the gift items that the astrologers offered to the "king of the Jews" were aromatic spices. -Matthew 2:1, 2, 11. 

The Bible also relates that when the queen of Sheba visited Solomon,  "She gave the king 120 talents of gold and a great quantity of balsam oil and precious stones. Never again was such balsam oil brought in as what the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon."  (2 Chronicles 9:9) Kings also sent Solomon balsam oil as a gesture of their goodwill. - 2 Chronicles 9:23, 24.

Why were such spices and related  products so valuable and expensive in Bible times?  Because they played many important roles, as when they were used in beauty care, religious services, and burial of the dead.  Apart from the high demand  for them, spices were expensive because of transportation and marketing costs. 

Next time: Gifts Fit for a King -CROSSING THE ARABIAN DESERT

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015