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1 Kings 10

This chapter focuses on the visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon, highlighting the wisdom, wealth, and splendor of his kingdom. The visit demonstrates Solomon's influence far beyond Israel. The chapter also recounts his wealth, the extent of his trade, and how his reign was marked by extraordinary prosperity.

1 Kings 10:1 (NKJV)
1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions.

The Queen of Sheba, likely from southern Arabia, had heard of Solomon’s fame, particularly in relation to his wisdom and his connection to the Lord. Her visit to Jerusalem had a twofold purpose: to witness Solomon's renowned wisdom firsthand and to test him with challenging questions. This reveals how Solomon's wisdom and wealth had become known even in distant lands, with foreign rulers being curious about the extent of his knowledge.

1 Kings 10:2 (NKJV)
2 She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart.

The Queen of Sheba's arrival was grand, as she brought a large entourage, carrying an abundance of spices, gold, and precious stones. This reflects the wealth and status of her kingdom. Upon meeting Solomon, she engaged him in deep conversation, seeking answers to questions that troubled her, showcasing her genuine curiosity and respect for Solomon’s wisdom.

1 Kings 10:3-5 (NKJV)
3 So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for the king that he could not explain it to her.
4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built,
5 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her.

Solomon answered all the Queen of Sheba's questions with ease, demonstrating the extent of his God-given wisdom. She was deeply impressed by not only his wisdom but also the splendor of his palace, the organization of his court, the quality of food, the attire of his servants, and the way he approached worship in the temple. The level of excellence in all aspects of Solomon’s reign left her in awe, overwhelmed by the grandeur she witnessed.

1 Kings 10:6-7 (NKJV)
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 However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard."

The Queen of Sheba acknowledges that the reports she had heard of Solomon were indeed true, but seeing it with her own eyes surpassed her expectations. She confesses that not even half of Solomon’s greatness had been relayed to her. This declaration highlights the extraordinary nature of Solomon’s wisdom and the prosperity of his kingdom, far exceeding anything she could have imagined.

1 Kings 10:8-9 (NKJV)
8 "Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom!
9 Blessed be the Lord your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness."

The Queen praises Solomon’s servants for their privileged position of being in his presence and benefiting from his wisdom. She acknowledges that his reign is a blessing from the Lord, affirming that God’s love for Israel is demonstrated through Solomon’s just and righteous leadership. Her statement emphasizes that Solomon’s success is ultimately the result of God’s favor, not merely his own accomplishments.

1 Kings 10:10 (NKJV)
10 Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great quantity, and precious stones. There never again came such abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

The Queen of Sheba's gifts to Solomon were extraordinarily lavish, including a vast amount of gold, spices, and precious stones. The spices she brought were in such abundance that they were unmatched by any other gift in Israel's history. This exchange shows the mutual respect and recognition of wealth between the two kingdoms, as well as the Queen’s acknowledgment of Solomon's greatness.

1 Kings 10:11-12 (NKJV)
11 Also, the ships of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought great quantities of almug wood and precious stones from Ophir.
12 And the king made steps of the almug wood for the house of the Lord and for the king's house, also harps and stringed instruments for singers. There never again came such almug wood, nor has the like been seen to this day.

The account of Hiram’s ships bringing gold, almug wood, and precious stones illustrates the extensive trade networks Solomon had established. The rare almug wood, used for creating steps and musical instruments in both the temple and palace, was of such high quality that its like was never seen again in Israel. This highlights Solomon's wealth, as well as the artistry and craftsmanship that characterized his reign.

1 Kings 10:13 (NKJV)
13 Now King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired, whatever she asked, besides what Solomon had given her according to the royal generosity. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.

Solomon, in return, gave the Queen of Sheba whatever she desired, beyond the traditional royal gifts. This demonstrates not only Solomon’s wealth but also his generous nature. After receiving these gifts and being satisfied with the answers to her questions, she returned to her country with her entourage. This visit solidified peaceful and prosperous relations between their two kingdoms.

1 Kings 10:14-15 (NKJV)
14 The weight of gold that came to Solomon yearly was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold,
15 besides that from the traveling merchants, from the income of traders, from all the kings of Arabia, and from the governors of the country.

The immense wealth Solomon amassed is evident in the yearly tribute of 666 talents of gold, in addition to the wealth he received from trade, foreign merchants, and the rulers of nearby territories. His vast income demonstrates the prosperity of Israel under his reign and the respect and allegiance that other nations paid to him. Solomon’s wealth was unparalleled in the ancient world.

1 Kings 10:16-17 (NKJV)
16 And 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 shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold went into each shield. The king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.

Solomon’s wealth was not only accumulated but also displayed through elaborate decorations and armaments. He crafted 200 large shields and 300 smaller ones out of pure gold. These shields, housed in the House of the Forest of Lebanon, were likely ceremonial, symbolizing the king’s power and prosperity rather than being used in battle. This reflects the opulence of Solomon’s court and the grandeur of his kingdom.

1 Kings 10:18-20 (NKJV)
18 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.
19 The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round at the back; there were armrests on either side of the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the armrests.
20 Twelve lions stood there, one on each side of the six steps; nothing like this had been made for any other kingdom.

Solomon’s throne was a magnificent creation, crafted from ivory and overlaid with pure gold, symbolizing his supreme authority and divine favor. The throne had six steps and was adorned with lions, symbolizing strength and royalty. This grandeur reflected Solomon’s unmatched position as a king of great wisdom and wealth. No other kingdom in the ancient world had such a throne, emphasizing Solomon's unique status among the nations.

1 Kings 10:21-22 (NKJV)
21 All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Not one was silver, for this was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon.
22 For the king had merchant ships at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the merchant ships came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys.

Solomon’s wealth extended even to his dining vessels, which were made entirely of gold. In his reign, silver was considered of little value due to the abundance of gold. His vast trade network with Hiram brought luxury items from far-off lands, including gold, silver, ivory, exotic animals, and other rare goods. This international trade symbolized the peace and prosperity that marked Solomon’s reign.

1 Kings 10:23-25 (NKJV)
23 So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
24 Now all the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
25 Each man brought his present: articles of silver and gold, garments, armor, spices, horses, and mules, at a set rate year by year.

Solomon’s reputation for wisdom and wealth surpassed that of all other kings on earth. People from all over the world sought his presence to hear the wisdom God had given him. Every year, foreign rulers and dignitaries brought valuable gifts, including silver, gold, garments, armor, spices, horses, and mules. These offerings not only reflected their admiration of Solomon but also demonstrated their desire to maintain peaceful relations with Israel. Solomon’s kingdom was marked by unprecedented prosperity, wisdom, and influence, making him the most renowned king of his time.

1 Kings 10:26-27 (NKJV)
26 And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen; he had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.
27 The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedar trees as abundant as the sycamores which are in the lowland.

Solomon's military strength was formidable, as he gathered a vast number of chariots and horsemen, which he stationed strategically in cities and Jerusalem. This military might ensured the security of his kingdom. Solomon’s wealth was so great that silver became as common as stones in Jerusalem, and the once rare cedar wood became as plentiful as sycamore trees. This illustrates the abundance and prosperity that characterized Solomon's reign.

1 Kings 10:28-29 (NKJV)
28 Also Solomon had horses imported from Egypt and Keveh; the king’s merchants bought them in Keveh at the current price.
29 Now a chariot that was imported from Egypt cost six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse one hundred and fifty; and thus, through their agents, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.

Solomon’s wealth extended into international trade, specifically in the importing of horses and chariots from Egypt and Keveh. His merchants bought them at market value, and these resources were then resold to other nations, including the Hittites and Syrians. This shows that Solomon’s reign not only enjoyed internal prosperity but also profited from significant external trade relationships, further expanding his influence and wealth throughout the region.

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