1 Kings 10:1-13

The Queen of Sheba

1 ¹Now when the ²queen of ³Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came ⁴to test him with difficult questions.

2 So she came to Jerusalem with a very large retinue, with camels ⁵carrying spices and very much gold and precious stones. When she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart.

3 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing * was hidden from the king which he did not explain to her.

4 When the queen of Sheba perceived all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built,

5 the food of his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his waiters and their attire, his cupbearers, and his stairway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her.

6 Then she said to the king, "It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom.

7 "Nevertheless I did not believe the reports, until * I came and my eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. You exceed in wisdom and prosperity the report which I heard.

8 "How ⁶blessed are your men, how blessed are these your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom.

9 "⁷Blessed be the LORD your God who delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel; ⁸because the LORD loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, ⁹to do justice and righteousness."

10 ¹⁰She gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and a very great amount of spices and precious stones. Never again did such abundance of spices come in as that which the queen of Sheba gave King Solomon.

11 ¹¹Also the ships of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir a very great number of almug trees and precious stones.

12 ¹²The king made of the almug trees supports for the house of the LORD and for the king's house, also lyres and harps for the singers; such almug trees have not come in again nor have they been seen to this day.

13 King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire which she requested, besides * what he gave her according to his royal bounty. Then she turned and went to her own land together with her servants.

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. 2 Chronicles 9:1; Matthew 12:42; Luke 11:31
• 2. 2 Chronicles 9:1; Matthew 12:42; Luke 11:31
• 3. Genesis 10:7, 28; Psalms 72:10, 15
• 4. Judges 14:12-14; Psalms 49:4
• 5. 1 Kings 10:10
• 6. Proverbs 8:34
• 7. 1 Kings 5:7
• 8. 1 Chronicles 17:22; 2 Chronicles 2:11
• 9. 2 Samuel 8:15; 2 Samuel 23:3; Psalms 72:2
• 10. 1 Kings 10:2
• 11. 1 Kings 9:27, 28; Job 22:24
• 12. 2 Chronicles 9:11

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "told her all her words"
• [b]. Lit "tell her"
• [c]. Or "his burnt offering which he offered"
• [d]. Lit "words"
• [e]. Lit "the hand of King Solomon"
• [f]. Lit "she and"