The Queen of Sheba
The queen of Sheba visited to see if...
The queen of Sheba visited to see if the stories about Solomon’s wisdom were true (1 Kings 10:1, 3, 6–7). She might have also been interested in trade partnerships (1 Kings 10:2, 10, 13). Solomon achieved everything because of his wisdom from God, as the queen of Sheba confirms in her main speech (1 Kings 10:6–9).
1Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions. 2She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones.
And she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind.
The queen was impressed by Solomon's wisdom. He...
The queen was impressed by Solomon's wisdom. He answered her questions well, and she admired his wise building projects, organized administration, and dedication to his God. Jesus praised the queen for seeking truth but criticized the Pharisees and religious teachers for not recognizing him, who was greater than Solomon (Matthew 12:42).
3And Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too difficult for the king to explain.
4When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built, 5the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.
The queen's testimony showed her amazement. Everything she...
The queen's testimony showed her amazement. Everything she heard was true, and seeing it herself, she realized Solomon's achievements were even greater. She understood that the Lord supported Solomon and that Solomon should use his God-given wisdom to lead with fairness and justice.
6She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your words and wisdom is true. 7But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told to me. Your wisdom and prosperity have far exceeded the report I heard. 8How blessed are your men!† How blessed are these servants of yours who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! 9Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness.”
Solomon had a lot of gold during his...
Solomon had a lot of gold during his reign. The queen's gifts added to what Solomon already had from his trade with Hiram of Tyre. He used the gold wisely (see 1 Kings 6:20–22, 28, 30, 32, 35; 7:49–51; 10:18, 21).
Arabian traders sold spices like frankincense and myrrh. Both were used for medicine; frankincense was also used in holy incense (Exodus 30:34–38; Leviticus 2:2), and myrrh was used for perfume and embalming the dead. Wise men from the east gave these spices and gold to Jesus (Matthew 2:1–11).
Solomon had a lot of gold during his reign. The queen's gifts added to what Solomon already had from his trade with Hiram of Tyre. He used the gold wisely (see 1 Kings 6:20–22, 28, 30, 32, 35; 7:49–51; 10:18, 21).
Arabian traders sold spices like frankincense and myrrh. Both were used for medicine; frankincense was also used in holy incense (Exodus 30:34–38; Leviticus 2:2), and myrrh was used for perfume and embalming the dead. Wise men from the east gave these spices and gold to Jesus (Matthew 2:1–11).
10Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold,† a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again were spices in such abundance brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
11(The fleet of Hiram that brought gold from Ophir also brought from Ophir a great cargo of almug† wood and precious stones. 12The king made the almug wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had such almug wood been brought in, nor has such been seen again to this day.)
13King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired—whatever she asked—besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty. Then she left and returned to her own country, along with her servants.
Solomon’s Wealth and Splendor
(2 Chronicles 1:14–17; 2 Chronicles 9:13–28)
666 talents (about 25 tons): Solomon got this...
666 talents (about 25 tons): Solomon got this large amount of gold from his businesses and taxes. He also charged tolls to merchants and traders passing through his kingdom.
To show more of Solomon’s greatness, the writer...
To show more of Solomon’s greatness, the writer adds to the story of the queen’s visit (1 Kings 10:1–13). The writer describes Solomon’s wise use of wealth in building his palace complex (10:14–21). The writer then tells how Solomon’s wisdom also brought wide influence through his trade and commercial dealings (10:22–29).
14The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents,† 15not including the revenue from the merchants, traders, and all the Arabian kings and governors of the land.
Normally, large shields were made for foot soldiers...
Normally, large shields were made for foot soldiers and small shields for archers. But these shields were probably used for ceremonies instead of battle.
16King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold† went into each shield. 17He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold† went into each shield. And the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
Solomon got ivory by trading with Hiram. Kings...
Solomon got ivory by trading with Hiram. Kings in the Ancient Near East often used lion figures to show royal power and to symbolize divine protection of the throne.
18Additionally, the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold. 19The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest. 20Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like this had ever been made for any kingdom.
21All King Solomon’s drinking cups were gold, and all the utensils of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. There was no silver, because it was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon. 22For the king had the ships of Tarshish† at sea with Hiram’s fleet, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.†
23So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 24The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart. 25Year after year, each visitor would bring his tribute: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.
26Solomon accumulated† 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem.† 27The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills.†
Solomon also acted as a trader, exchanging horses...
Solomon also acted as a trader, exchanging horses and chariots between the Egyptians in the south and the Syrians and Anatolians in the north.
28Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and Kue;† the royal merchants purchased them from Kue. 29A chariot could be imported from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver,† and a horse for a hundred and fifty.† Likewise, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Aram.