מלכים א, פרק י״ד, פסוק כ״ח

The royal shield-bearing ceremony serves as a stark reminder of the kingdom's sad state. Against the backdrop of a massive robbery that stripped the king of his golden shields and royal treasures, this new ritual highlights a much poorer reality [שטיינזלץ]. The practice became a regular routine, taking place every single time the king visited the House of God [מצודת ציון].

The exact reason the guards carried these shields is a matter of discussion. One perspective views the guards as an honor guard, carrying the shields ahead of the king simply as a display of royal dignity [רש״י, שטיינזלץ]. Conversely, another viewpoint suggests a far more practical motive, arguing that the shields were actively needed to protect the king from a sudden enemy ambush [מצודת דוד].

Once the king completed his visit to the House of God and safely returned to his palace [מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ], the guards would bring the shields back to their designated storage area. This location was either a room where the guards were permanently stationed [רש״י, מצודת ציון] or an entrance gatehouse [רלב״ג]. Placing the shields specifically in the guards' quarters ensured they remained closely watched and secure at all times [רלב״ג].