1 Kings 10:4

4 When the queen of Sheba experienced for herself Solomon's wisdom and saw with her own eyes the palace he had built,

1 Kings 10:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 10:4

And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom
Which she perceived by his answers to things relative to all sorts of science, natural, civil, and divine:

and the house that he had built;
the singular for the plural, "house for houses"; the house of the Lord, his own house, that for Pharaoh's daughter, and the house of the forest of Lebanon; in all which there appeared not only surprising grandeur and magnificence, but exquisite art and skill; there was a great display of his wisdom in the form and contrivance of them. Josephus F16 says, what exceedingly surprised her, and raised her admiration, was the house of the forest of Lebanon.


FOOTNOTES:

F16 Antiqu. l. 8. c. 6. sect. 5.

1 Kings 10:4 In-Context

2 She made a grand and showy entrance into Jerusalem - camels loaded with spices, a huge amount of gold, and precious gems. She came to Solomon and talked about all the things that she cared about, emptying her heart to him.
3 Solomon answered everything she put to him - nothing stumped him.
4 When the queen of Sheba experienced for herself Solomon's wisdom and saw with her own eyes the palace he had built,
5 the meals that were served, the impressive array of court officials and sharply dressed waiters, the lavish crystal, and the elaborate worship extravagant with Whole-Burnt-Offerings at the steps leading up to The Temple of God, it took her breath away.
6 She said to the king, "It's all true! Your reputation for accomplishment and wisdom that reached all the way to my country is confirmed.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.