1 Kings 10
BSB1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions. 2 She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. So she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind. 3 And Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too difficult for the king to explain. 4 When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built, 5 the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants and cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away. 6 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your words and 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 to me. Your wisdom and prosperity have far exceeded the report I heard. 8 How blessed are your men! How blessed are these servants of yours who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness." 10 Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again was such an abundance of spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. 11 (The fleet of Hiram that brought gold from Ophir also brought from Ophir a great cargo of almug wood and precious stones. 12 The king made the almug wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had such almug wood been brought in, nor has such been seen to this day.) 13 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired—whatever she asked—besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty. Then she left and returned to her own country, along with her servants. 14 The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents, 15 not including the revenue from the merchants, traders, and all the Arabian kings and governors of the land. 16 King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield. 17 He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold went into each shield. And the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon. 18 Additionally, the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold. 19 The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest. 20 Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like this had ever been made for any kingdom. 21 All King Solomon’s drinking cups were gold, and all the utensils of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. There was no silver, because it was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon. 22 For the king had the ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. 23 So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 24 The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart. 25 Year after year, each visitor would bring his tribute: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules. 26 Solomon accumulated 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. 27 The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills. 28 Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and Kue; the royal merchants purchased them from Kue. 29 A chariot could be imported from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. Likewise, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Aram.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 10
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from 1 Kings 10
- Themes from 1 Kings 10
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on 1 Kings 10
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
The Queen of Sheba, having heard of Solomon's wisdom, comes to test him with difficult questions. Solomon answers all her questions, and she is amazed by his wisdom. She praises the God of Israel for blessing Solomon and giving him such wisdom. The Queen and Solomon exchange gifts, and the chapter describes the wealth and prosperity of Solomon's kingdom, including his ships and his trade with other nations. The chapter concludes with a description of Solomon's wealth and the sources of his revenue, including the tribute paid by other nations.
Context for the Chapter
This chapter is part of the larger narrative of 1 Kings, which describes the reign of Solomon and the division of the kingdom. The chapter is also part of the broader biblical narrative, which describes God's relationship with His people and His sovereignty over all nations. The visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon can be seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, that He would bless all nations through him.
Heart Application
This chapter encourages us to recognize God's sovereignty and blessing in our lives, just as the Queen recognized God's blessing in Solomon's life. We should also be generous and hospitable, just as Solomon was to the Queen. Finally, we should seek wisdom and knowledge, just as the Queen sought to learn from Solomon.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
This chapter describes the visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon. The Queen is impressed by Solomon's wisdom and wealth, and she praises God for blessing him. The chapter encourages us to recognize God's sovereignty and blessing in our lives, and to seek wisdom and knowledge. As it says in 1 Kings 10:9, the Queen praises God for delighting in Solomon and placing him on the throne.
Voices from the Church
“The Queen of Sheba came to Solomon to learn from him, and we should also come to Christ to learn from Him. For He is the wisdom of God, and in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
— John Calvin
“The Queen's praise of God for blessing Solomon is a model for us. We should praise God for all His blessings, and recognize His sovereignty over all nations.”
— Charles Spurgeon
Outline for Preaching
- The Queen's Visit (1 Kings 10:1-5) — The Queen comes to test Solomon's wisdom and is impressed by his answers.
- The Queen's Praise (1 Kings 10:6-9) — The Queen praises God for blessing Solomon and giving him wisdom.
- The Exchange of Gifts (1 Kings 10:10-13) — The Queen and Solomon exchange gifts, symbolizing their friendship and mutual respect.
- Solomon's Wealth (1 Kings 10:14-25) — The chapter describes the wealth and prosperity of Solomon's kingdom, including his ships and his trade with other nations.
- Conclusion (1 Kings 10:26-29) — The chapter concludes with a description of Solomon's wealth and the sources of his revenue, including the tribute paid by other nations.
Core Doctrines
- Sovereignty of God
- The chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty over all nations, and His blessing on Solomon's kingdom. As it says in 1 Kings 10:9, God delights in Solomon and places him on the throne.
- Wisdom
- The chapter highlights the importance of wisdom, as the Queen comes to test Solomon's wisdom and is impressed by his answers.
- Wealth and Prosperity
- The chapter describes the wealth and prosperity of Solomon's kingdom, and emphasizes the importance of generosity and hospitality.
- Blessing and Gratitude
- The chapter encourages us to recognize God's blessing in our lives, and to praise Him for all His blessings.
Lessons from 1 Kings 10
- The Importance of Wisdom — The chapter highlights the importance of wisdom, as the Queen comes to test Solomon's wisdom and is impressed by his answers.
- The Value of Generosity — Solomon's generosity to the Queen reflects God's character and encourages us to be generous and hospitable to others.
- The Sovereignty of God — The chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty over all nations, and His blessing on Solomon's kingdom.
- The Importance of Gratitude — The Queen's praise of God for blessing Solomon encourages us to recognize God's blessing in our lives and to praise Him for all His blessings.
- The Power of Praise — The Queen's praise of God has the power to inspire and encourage others, and we should also use our words to praise God and encourage others.
Themes from 1 Kings 10
- God's Sovereignty — The chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty over all nations, and His blessing on Solomon's kingdom.
- Wisdom and Knowledge — The chapter highlights the importance of wisdom, as the Queen comes to test Solomon's wisdom and is impressed by his answers.
- Wealth and Prosperity — The chapter describes the wealth and prosperity of Solomon's kingdom, and emphasizes the importance of generosity and hospitality.
- Blessing and Gratitude — The chapter encourages us to recognize God's blessing in our lives, and to praise Him for all His blessings.
- International Relations — The chapter describes the exchange of gifts and the formation of alliances between nations, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy and international relations.
Questions for Meditation
- What can we learn from the Queen's motivation for visiting Solomon?
- How does Solomon's generosity reflect God's character?
- What does the Queen's praise of God reveal about her understanding of God's sovereignty?
- How can we apply the theme of wisdom from this chapter to our own lives?
- What does the chapter teach us about the importance of gratitude and praise?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Queen's Visit (1 Kings 10:1-5)
| 10:1 | The Queen of Sheba comes to test Solomon's wisdom, having heard of his reputation. |
| 10:2 | The Queen comes with a large retinue and many gifts, and Solomon answers all her questions. |
| 10:3 | Solomon answers all the Queen's questions, and she is impressed by his wisdom. |
| 10:4 | The Queen is amazed by Solomon's wisdom and the splendor of his court. |
| 10:5 | The Queen praises God for blessing Solomon and giving him wisdom. |
2. The Queen's Praise (1 Kings 10:6-9)
| 10:6 | The Queen praises God for blessing Solomon and giving him wisdom. |
| 10:7 | The Queen is impressed by the prosperity and peace of Solomon's kingdom. |
| 10:8 | The Queen praises God for delighting in Solomon and placing him on the throne. |
| 10:9 | The Queen blesses God for blessing Solomon and giving him wisdom. |
3. The Exchange of Gifts (1 Kings 10:10-13)
| 10:10 | The Queen gives Solomon many gifts, including gold and spices. |
| 10:11 | Solomon gives the Queen all she desires, and she returns to her own land. |
| 10:12 | The Queen and Solomon form an alliance, and the Queen praises God for blessing Solomon. |
| 10:13 | The chapter concludes with a description of the gifts exchanged between the Queen and Solomon. |
4. Solomon's Wealth (1 Kings 10:14-25)
| 10:14 | The chapter describes the wealth and prosperity of Solomon's kingdom, including his ships and his trade with other nations. |
| 10:15 | Solomon's wealth comes from his trade with other nations, and from the tribute paid by other nations. |
| 10:16 | Solomon makes many shields of gold, and he also makes many other objects of gold and silver. |
| 10:17 | The chapter describes the splendor of Solomon's court, including his throne and his table. |
| 10:18 | The chapter concludes with a description of Solomon's wealth and the sources of his revenue. |
5. Conclusion (1 Kings 10:26-29)
| 10:26 | The chapter concludes with a description of Solomon's wealth and the sources of his revenue. |
| 10:27 | The chapter describes the abundance of cedar in Jerusalem, and the wealth of Solomon's kingdom. |
| 10:28 | The chapter concludes with a description of Solomon's trade with other nations, and the wealth of his kingdom. |
| 10:29 | The chapter concludes with a description of the wealth and prosperity of Solomon's kingdom. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Queen of Sheba's motivation for visiting Solomon?
The Queen came to test Solomon's wisdom, having heard of his reputation. As it says in 1 Kings 10:1, she came with a large retinue and many gifts.
What did the Queen praise God for?
The Queen praised God for blessing Solomon and giving him wisdom. As it says in 1 Kings 10:9, she blessed God for delighting in Solomon and placing him on the throne.
What gifts did the Queen give to Solomon?
The Queen gave Solomon many gifts, including gold and spices. As it says in 1 Kings 10:10, she gave him 120 talents of gold and a large quantity of spices.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 10:1 → Matthew 12:42 | The visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon is often seen as a type or foreshadowing of the visit of the Magi to Jesus. |
| 2 | 1 Kings 10:9 → Luke 11:31 | The Queen's praise of God for blessing Solomon is similar to the praise of God by the Magi for the birth of Jesus. |
| 3 | 1 Kings 10:10 → Psalm 72:10-11 | The gifts given by the Queen to Solomon are similar to the gifts given by the nations to the Messiah in Psalm 72. |
| 4 | 1 Kings 10:14 → Deuteronomy 17:17 | The wealth of Solomon's kingdom is a fulfillment of God's promise to bless the king who obeys His commands. |
| 5 | 1 Kings 10:15 → 1 Chronicles 29:25 | The wealth of Solomon's kingdom is also described in 1 Chronicles 29:25, which emphasizes God's blessing on Solomon. |
| 6 | 1 Kings 10:16 → Isaiah 60:17 | The wealth and prosperity of Solomon's kingdom are a type or foreshadowing of the wealth and prosperity of the kingdom of God. |
| 7 | 1 Kings 10:17 → Ezekiel 28:4-5 | The splendor of Solomon's court is similar to the splendor of the king of Tyre in Ezekiel 28. |
| 8 | 1 Kings 10:18 → Hebrews 1:8 | The throne of Solomon is a symbol of his authority and power, which is a type or foreshadowing of the throne of Christ. |
| 9 | 1 Kings 10:26 → Psalm 45:12 | The wealth and prosperity of Solomon's kingdom are a fulfillment of God's promise to bless the king who obeys His commands. |
| 10 | 1 Kings 10:29 → Isaiah 2:2-3 | The wealth and prosperity of Solomon's kingdom are a type or foreshadowing of the wealth and prosperity of the kingdom of God in the last days. |
Sermons on 1 Kings 10
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Poland) Walking in the Spirit by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher shares personal anecdotes about his experiences in Broadway and as a preacher. He talks about a show on Broadway that received terrible reviews and onl |
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(1 Kings) the Wisdom of Solomon by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of organization and order in the Bible. He uses the example of God organizing the Israelites in the book of Numbers to emphasiz |
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The Church's Threefold Temptation by Vance Havner | The sermon transcript discusses the importance of approaching church and sermons with a hungry heart, seeking blessings rather than finding faults. The speaker criticizes the tende |
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How Quickly We Turn Away by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher begins by acknowledging his unworthiness to stand in the pulpit and emphasizes his reliance on the righteousness of Jesus. He prays for the conviction |
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Christ Is Greater 03 Greater Than Solomon by Neil Fraser | In this sermon, the preacher begins by describing a scene of a man trapped in a burning building, desperately calling for help. Eventually, a fireman arrives and extends a ladder t |
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The Queen of Sheba by Phil Beach Jr. | Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the importance of recognizing the greatness of Jesus Christ compared to the Queen of Sheba's admiration for King Solomon. He challenges the congregation t |
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Communion With God--No. 1 by Charles Finney | Charles Finney emphasizes the profound nature of communion with God, explaining that it involves a deep, personal relationship with the Holy Spirit, characterized by mutual consult |
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Blessed Be the Lord Thy God, by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of exuberant adoration and praise to God, drawing parallels between Solomon's reign and our relationship with Christ. He highlights that God's |
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His Excellent Greatness by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the excellent greatness of the Lord Jesus, drawing parallels between Him and Solomon's dominion, bounty, and glory. He highlights that only the Father f |
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God’s Awful Judgment in the Breaking and Withering of the Strong Rods of a Community by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches about the awful judgment of God when strong rulers in a community, symbolized as strong rods, are broken and withered by death. He emphasizes the importan |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on 1 Kings 10
The visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon is a remarkable event, which shows the great reputation of Solomon's wisdom and the wealth of his kingdom. The Queen's praise of God for blessing Solomon and giving him wisdom is a model for us, and we should also praise God for all His blessings. The chapter also describes the wealth and prosperity of Solomon's kingdom, which is a fulfillment of God's promise to bless the king who obeys His commands. As Matthew Henry notes, the Queen's visit is a type or foreshadowing of the visit of the Magi to Jesus, and the wealth and prosperity of Solomon's kingdom are a type or foreshadowing of the wealth and prosperity of the kingdom of God. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Queen's Motivation
The Queen comes to test Solomon's wisdom, but she is also impressed by his wealth and splendor. This suggests that she is motivated by a desire to learn and to form an alliance with Solomon's kingdom.
Solomon's Generosity
Solomon gives the Queen all she desires, which suggests that he is generous and hospitable. This is consistent with the theme of Solomon's wealth and prosperity.
The Queen's Praise
The Queen praises God for blessing Solomon, which suggests that she recognizes God's sovereignty and blessing in Solomon's life.