1 Kings 10:1-13

The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon

1 When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the LORD, she came to test Solomon with hard questions.

2 Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind.

3 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her.

4 When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built,

5 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at^[a] the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed.

6 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true.

7 But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard.

8 How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!

9 Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.”

10 And she gave the king 120 talents^[b] of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

11 (Hiram’s ships brought gold from Ophir; and from there they brought great cargoes of almugwood^[c] and precious stones.

12 The king used the almugwood to make supports^[d] for the temple of the LORD and for the royal palace, and to make harps and lyres for the musicians. So much almugwood has never been imported or seen since that day.)

13 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for, besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty. Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country.

1 Kings 10:1-13 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.

Cross References

• 1. S Genesis 10:7,28; S Genesis 25:3; Matthew 12:42; Luke 11:31
• 2. Ezekiel 16:14
• 3. S Numbers 12:8; S Judges 14:12
• 4. S Genesis 24:10
• 5. 1 Kings 4:22; 1 Chronicles 26:16
• 6. S Genesis 45:26
• 7. 1 Chronicles 29:25
• 8. Proverbs 8:34
• 9. S 1 Kings 5:7; S Isaiah 42:10
• 10. S Deuteronomy 7:8
• 11. 2 Samuel 8:15; Psalms 11:7; Psalms 33:5; Psalms 72:2; Psalms 99:4; Psalms 103:6
• 12. ver 2; S 1 Kings 9:28; Isaiah 60:6
• 13. S Genesis 10:29; 1 Kings 9:27-28

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "the ascent by which he went up to"
• [b]. That is, about 4 1/2 tons or about 4 metric tons
• [c]. Probably a variant of "algumwood" ; also in verse 12
• [d]. The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.