I Kings 10: The Zenith of Solomon's Reign
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions.
And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not.
And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon’s wisdom, and the house that he had built,
And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her.
And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.
Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.
Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.
Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.
And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.
And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones.
And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the Lord, and for the king’s house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day.
And king Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold,
Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.
And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of gold went to one target.
And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold.
The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.
And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.
And all king Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.
And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.
And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore trees that are in the vale, for abundance.
And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means.
I Kings 10 offers a dazzling portrait of Solomon's reign at its peak, showcasing the fulfillment of God's promise to make him the wisest and wealthiest king who ever lived (I Kings 3:11-13). This chapter not only illustrates Solomon's international fame but also subtly foreshadows the seeds of his eventual downfall. Understanding this chapter within the broader narrative of I Kings provides valuable insight into the blessings and dangers of prosperity. The I Kings 10 chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of humility and obedience in the face of success.
The Queen of Sheba's Visit (I Kings 10:1-13)
The narrative opens with the arrival of the Queen of Sheba, a ruler from an Arabian kingdom located in modern-day Yemen, approximately 1,200 miles from Jerusalem. Her visit was prompted by Solomon's widespread fame, specifically "the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD" (I Kings 10:1). This suggests that Solomon's wisdom was not merely intellectual prowess but was intrinsically linked to his relationship with God. The Queen's journey was not a casual one; she arrived with a substantial entourage and lavish gifts, intending to "test him with hard questions" (I Kings 10:1). This indicates that she was a discerning ruler, seeking to verify the reports of Solomon's wisdom firsthand.
The Queen's visit underscores a key theme: God's intention to bless the nations through Israel, a promise first given to Abraham (Genesis 12:3). Solomon's wisdom and prosperity served as a beacon, drawing people from afar to witness the blessings of God. However, this was merely a foretaste. Israel would ultimately fail to consistently fulfill this role, and the ultimate blessing for all nations would come through Jesus Christ, the true descendant of Abraham (Galatians 3:14, 16, 29).
The Queen's reaction to Solomon's wisdom and the splendor of his kingdom is striking. She confessed her initial skepticism, admitting that "I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me; your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard" (I Kings 10:7). Overwhelmed, she blessed the Lord, acknowledging that it was God who had placed Solomon on the throne for the sake of Israel (I Kings 10:9). Her lavish gifts to Solomon (I Kings 10:10) were reciprocated (I Kings 10:13), further solidifying the diplomatic and economic ties between their kingdoms.
Jesus Himself later referenced the Queen of Sheba (Matthew 12:42), highlighting her willingness to travel a great distance to hear Solomon's wisdom. He contrasted her eagerness with the skepticism of the scribes and Pharisees, who rejected the far greater wisdom and glory of the Son of God. Jesus warned that the Queen of Sheba would rise in judgment against them, condemning their rejection of the Messiah.
Solomon's Unparalleled Wealth (I Kings 10:14-22)
The chapter then shifts its focus to the staggering extent of Solomon's wealth. Each year, he received twenty-five tons of gold, in addition to revenue from merchants and traders (I Kings 10:14-15). This immense wealth was used to create magnificent objects, including two hundred large shields and three hundred small shields of hammered gold (I Kings 10:16-17), likely used for ceremonial purposes. Solomon's throne was a masterpiece of ivory and gold (I Kings 10:18-20), and even his drinking vessels were made of gold (I Kings 10:21). Silver was considered so commonplace that it was practically worthless (I Kings 10:21, 27). The sheer opulence of Solomon's court is difficult to fully grasp.
International Recognition and Trade (I Kings 10:23-29)
Solomon's wisdom and wealth attracted visitors from all over the world, eager to hear the wisdom that God had placed in his heart (I Kings 10:23-24). He became a central figure in international trade, importing chariots (I Kings 10:26) and horses from Egypt (I Kings 10:28), the most advanced weaponry of the time.
However, these details also hint at a growing problem. Deuteronomy 17:16-17 specifically instructed future kings of Israel not to "acquire many horses for himself, or cause the people to return to Egypt to acquire many horses," nor to "acquire for himself excessive silver and gold." Solomon's accumulation of horses and wealth suggests a potential disregard for these divine commands, raising questions about whether he was beginning to rely on his own power and resources rather than on God. This subtle foreshadowing alerts the reader to the dangers that lie ahead for Solomon, despite his current glory.
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions.
And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not.
And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon’s wisdom, and the house that he had built,
And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her.
And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.
Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.
Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.
Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.
And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.
And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones.
And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the Lord, and for the king’s house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day.
And king Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold,
Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.
And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of gold went to one target.
And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold.
The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.
And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.
And all king Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.
And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.
And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore trees that are in the vale, for abundance.
And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means.
I Kings 10 offers a dazzling portrait of Solomon's reign at its peak, showcasing the fulfillment of God's promise to make him the wisest and wealthiest king who ever lived (I Kings 3:11-13). This chapter not only illustrates Solomon's international fame but also subtly foreshadows the seeds of his eventual downfall. Understanding this chapter within the broader narrative of I Kings provides valuable insight into the blessings and dangers of prosperity. The I Kings 10 chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of humility and obedience in the face of success.
The Queen of Sheba's Visit (I Kings 10:1-13)
The narrative opens with the arrival of the Queen of Sheba, a ruler from an Arabian kingdom located in modern-day Yemen, approximately 1,200 miles from Jerusalem. Her visit was prompted by Solomon's widespread fame, specifically "the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD" (I Kings 10:1). This suggests that Solomon's wisdom was not merely intellectual prowess but was intrinsically linked to his relationship with God. The Queen's journey was not a casual one; she arrived with a substantial entourage and lavish gifts, intending to "test him with hard questions" (I Kings 10:1). This indicates that she was a discerning ruler, seeking to verify the reports of Solomon's wisdom firsthand.
The Queen's visit underscores a key theme: God's intention to bless the nations through Israel, a promise first given to Abraham (Genesis 12:3). Solomon's wisdom and prosperity served as a beacon, drawing people from afar to witness the blessings of God. However, this was merely a foretaste. Israel would ultimately fail to consistently fulfill this role, and the ultimate blessing for all nations would come through Jesus Christ, the true descendant of Abraham (Galatians 3:14, 16, 29).
The Queen's reaction to Solomon's wisdom and the splendor of his kingdom is striking. She confessed her initial skepticism, admitting that "I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me; your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard" (I Kings 10:7). Overwhelmed, she blessed the Lord, acknowledging that it was God who had placed Solomon on the throne for the sake of Israel (I Kings 10:9). Her lavish gifts to Solomon (I Kings 10:10) were reciprocated (I Kings 10:13), further solidifying the diplomatic and economic ties between their kingdoms.
Jesus Himself later referenced the Queen of Sheba (Matthew 12:42), highlighting her willingness to travel a great distance to hear Solomon's wisdom. He contrasted her eagerness with the skepticism of the scribes and Pharisees, who rejected the far greater wisdom and glory of the Son of God. Jesus warned that the Queen of Sheba would rise in judgment against them, condemning their rejection of the Messiah.
Solomon's Unparalleled Wealth (I Kings 10:14-22)
The chapter then shifts its focus to the staggering extent of Solomon's wealth. Each year, he received twenty-five tons of gold, in addition to revenue from merchants and traders (I Kings 10:14-15). This immense wealth was used to create magnificent objects, including two hundred large shields and three hundred small shields of hammered gold (I Kings 10:16-17), likely used for ceremonial purposes. Solomon's throne was a masterpiece of ivory and gold (I Kings 10:18-20), and even his drinking vessels were made of gold (I Kings 10:21). Silver was considered so commonplace that it was practically worthless (I Kings 10:21, 27). The sheer opulence of Solomon's court is difficult to fully grasp.
International Recognition and Trade (I Kings 10:23-29)
Solomon's wisdom and wealth attracted visitors from all over the world, eager to hear the wisdom that God had placed in his heart (I Kings 10:23-24). He became a central figure in international trade, importing chariots (I Kings 10:26) and horses from Egypt (I Kings 10:28), the most advanced weaponry of the time.
However, these details also hint at a growing problem. Deuteronomy 17:16-17 specifically instructed future kings of Israel not to "acquire many horses for himself, or cause the people to return to Egypt to acquire many horses," nor to "acquire for himself excessive silver and gold." Solomon's accumulation of horses and wealth suggests a potential disregard for these divine commands, raising questions about whether he was beginning to rely on his own power and resources rather than on God. This subtle foreshadowing alerts the reader to the dangers that lie ahead for Solomon, despite his current glory.