1 Kings 10

1 Kings 10:1

SOLOMON IS VISITED BY THE QUEEN OF SHEBAThe visit of the queen of Sheba reveals that Solomon had succeeded in witnessing for God to the world of that day. Solomon’s fame had spread, and obviously multitudes were coming to Jerusalem to worship the living and true God. In the present dispensation, the church is to go to the world, but the commission to go into all the world was not given to the nation Israel. As Israel was true to God, she was a witness to the world, and the world came to Jerusalem to worship. In chapter 10 we have a great illustration of the influence of Solomon in that day. The visit of this queen shows the effect of the reign of Solomon, as God’s representative, upon the nations of the world. The queen of Sheba came to Solomon because of what she had heard. She had heard of a temple where man could approach Godshe wanted to know about that. She had heard of Solomon’s wisdom; so she came to test him with difficult questions.

1 Kings 10:2

Now the phrase, “and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD,” should be translated, “and his burnt offering by which he went up unto the house of the LORD.” She witnesses that Solomon approached God by a burnt offering. This is the offering that speaks more fully of Christ and His substitutionary death than all the others. Heb_9:22 says, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” The burnt offering was a testimony to the queen of Sheba. She was also impressed with the wisdom of Solomon and with his building program: the palace, the temple and the other buildings. All around were bounty, luxury, and temporal prosperity. For a brief moment in time, God’s people were faithful and true witnesses of Him. And so the queen responds to all that she has seen and heard:

1 Kings 10:6

She had not believed half of what she had been told and came to find that the half had not been told her. And I don’t think the half has been told today concerning our Lord.

1 Kings 10:8

This now is her testimony, and I think it reveals that she has come to know the living and true God.

1 Kings 10:10

She brought a great amount of wealth and gave it to Solomon.

1 Kings 10:11

Hiram was king of Tyreof the Phoenicians who were a seagoing people. We see here that Solomon continued his building program. He made pillars for the house of the Lord and for the king’s house, also harps and psalteries for singers.

1 Kings 10:13

The story of the queen of Sheba is one example of the many who came to know God at this time. Similarly, the Book of Acts records only certain conversations such as those of the Ethiopian eunuch, Saul of Tarsus and Cornelius. Yet we know that literally thousands came to know Christ during that period. And there were thousands who came to know God through the temple in Jerusalem and the witness of the people of Solomon’s day. Now we are told something of the gold that came to Solomon:

1 Kings 10:14

I cannot comprehend it when it says there were six hundred threescore and six talents of gold that came to him every yearhe simply cornered the gold market. The kingdom had reached its zenith. Actually, David brought it to this position, but now Solomon is the one who is able to move in and enjoy the peace, the plenty, and the prosperity.

1 Kings 10:22

All of these are luxury items: apes for entertainment (these were Solomon’s zoo); peacocks for beauty; and gold, silver, and ivory for magnificent decorations. There is a frivolous and tragic note here which is symptomatic of the condition of Solomon’s kingdom. He is called to give a witness to the worldthe world is coming to his doorand what does he do? He spends his time and energy with apes and peacocks simply to satisfy a whim.

1 Kings 10:23

It was during this period that the kingdom reached its zenith and was characterized by very faithful witnessing. We have seen that illustrated in the life of the queen of Sheba, and now we are told that many others came to Jerusalem also. There was a real witness given to the world by Solomona witness for God.

1 Kings 10:25

Frankly, the presents from these visitors enabled Solomon to build up a kingdom that was noted for its riches. Later, of course, that made Israel the subject of spoil by other nations when the kingdom was divided and weakened.

1 Kings 10:26

Solomon, as he gathered horses and horsemen, expanded in a department in which God had forbidden him to expand. Solomon’s stables would make these modern race tracks look like a tenant farmer’s barn in Georgia.

1 Kings 10:27

Solomon really built up tremendous wealth in the kingdom. At that time he actually cornered the market on gold, silver, and precious stones. My friend, what are you busy doing today? Are you getting out the Word of God or are you in the business of gathering a bunch of apes? Do you pay more for entertainment than you do for the Word of God? How about the peacocks for beauty? More money is spent today on beauty preparations than is given to the Lord’s work. What about gold, silver, and precious stones? Are you so busy making money that you have no time left for the Lord? Oh, my friend, we are called to witness to the world. God have mercy on us for going into the business of apes and peacocks. How frivolous!