1 Kings 10:1-10

1 But also the queen of Sheba, when the fame of Solomon was heard, came in the name of the Lord to assay him in dark and doubtful questions. (And the queen of Sheba, when she heard of Solomon's fame, regarding his knowledge concerning the name of the Lord, came to test him with dark and doubtful questions.)
2 And she entered with much fellowship and riches into Jerusalem, and with camels bearing sweet smelling things, and gold greatly without number, and precious stones; and she came to king Solomon, and spake to him all things which she had in her heart.
3 And Solomon taught her all [the] words which she had put forth; no word was, that might be hid from the king, and which he answered not to her. (And Solomon taught her all the things that she asked him about; there was nothing that was hid from the king, and which he did not answer to her, or share with her.)
4 And the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had builded,
5 and the meats of his table (and the food on his table), and the dwelling places of his servants, and the orders of the men serving him, and the clothes of them, and the butlers, and the burnt sacrifices which he offered in the house of the Lord; and she had no more spirit.
6 And she said to the king, The word is true, that I heard in my land, of thy words, and of thy wisdom;
7 and I believed not to men telling to me, till I myself came, and saw with mine eyes, and proved that the half part was not told to me; thy wisdom is more and thy works, than the fame that I heard. (and I did not believe what they told me, until I came myself, and saw with my eyes, and proved that the half part was not told to me; thy wisdom and thy works be more than the reports that I have heard.)
8 Thy men be blessed, and thy servants be blessed, these that stand before thee ever[more] (those who stand before thee forevermore), and hear thy wisdom.
9 Blessed be thy Lord God, whom thou pleasedest, and hath set thee on the throne of Israel; for the Lord loved Israel without end, and hath ordained thee king, that thou shouldest do doom and rightfulness (so that thou can give judgement and show uprightness).
10 Therefore she gave to the king sixscore talents of gold, and full many sweet smelling things, and precious stones; so many sweet smelling things were no more brought (there were never brought there again so many sweet smelling things), as those which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.

1 Kings 10:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 10

This chapter contains an account of the queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon to her great satisfaction, 1Ki 10:1-13, of Solomon's merchandise and riches, and the magnificence of his court, 1Ki 10:14-23, of the rich presents sent to him, and of the purchase of chariots and horses, and other things, he made, 1Ki 10:24-29.

Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.