1 Kings 10

1 Kings 10:1

5. His Visit from the Queen of Sheba (10:1-13)The purpose of chapter 10 is to emphasize Solomon’s glory. From drinking vessels to sailing vessels, from an ivory throne to handcrafted chariots, he possessed everything the human heart could desire in quantities that stagger the imagination. The queen of Sheba, that daughter of opulence, was completely overwhelmed by Solomon’s wisdom and by the splendor of his kingdom. This was in fulfillment of the Lord’s promise, to which Solomon owed everything (1Ki_3:11-13). The queen of Sheba (probably Saba, in the southern Arabian peninsula) came . . . to test Solomon’s wisdom by plying him with hard questions, but he was able to answer them all (v. 3a). When she saw the magnificence of his kingdom, she had to acknowledge that the glowing reports she had heard were only partial. She presented him with gifts of gold and spices in great . . . abundance and then received gifts from him in return before going back to her own country.

1 Kings 10:14

6. His Riches (10:14-29)10:14, 15 Hiram’s help brought not only gold from Ophir for Solomon but also great amounts of almug wood and precious stones. Solomon was a genius in trade relationships. 10:16-22 Gold was so plentiful that Solomon even used it for making shields to hang in the House of the Forest of Lebanon. His ivory . . . throne was overlaid . . . with pure gold. At each side of the throne was a large carved lion. Also on each side of the six steps leading to the throne was a lion. Silver was considered as of relatively minor value in the days of Solomon. Solomon’s merchant ships brought not only gold and silver, but such exotic items as ivory, apes, and monkeys. 10:23-25 Solomon’s riches and wisdom brought him worldwide fame, and gifts poured in to him from admirers who came to visit him. 10:26-29 Mention is made of the fact that Solomon invested heavily in horses and chariots. Keveh (probably Cilicia) was famous for its horses. Solomon not only acquired chariots and horsemen and horses for national defense but also exported them to other countries. Although not mentioned here, the luxury of Solomon’s reign required heavy taxation to support it. This was to lead to the disruption of the kingdom (1Ki_12:3-15). “The taxation,” writes J. R. Lumly, “must have been crushing, and with all this oriental splendor and luxury, there was rottenness within. Solomon was the Jewish Louis XIV.” This multiplication of riches and horses violated God’s Word (Deu_17:16-17).