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. Then she gave the king 120 talents of goldThe queen of Sheba's gift of 120 talents of gold to King Solomon is significant both in its monetary value and its symbolic meaning. A talent was a large unit of weight, approximately 75 pounds, making this gift roughly 9,000 pounds of gold. This immense wealth underscores the prosperity and international influence of Solomon's reign. The queen's offering reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon that he would be blessed with riches and honor ( 1 Kings 3:13). This act also signifies the recognition of Solomon's wisdom and the divine favor upon him, drawing parallels to the wealth and gifts brought to Jesus by the Magi ( Matthew 2:11). a great quantity of spices
The mention of spices highlights the trade and cultural exchanges between nations during Solomon's time. Spices were highly valued in the ancient world for their use in cooking, medicine, and religious rituals. The abundance of spices brought by the queen of Sheba indicates the wealth and resources of her own kingdom, likely located in the region of modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia. This exchange also symbolizes the spread of Solomon's fame and the acknowledgment of his wisdom by foreign dignitaries, fulfilling the prophecy that nations would come to hear his wisdom (1 Kings 4:34). and precious stones
Precious stones were another symbol of wealth and status in the ancient Near East. The queen's gift of these stones to Solomon not only demonstrates her respect and admiration for him but also reflects the opulence of his court. The use of precious stones in the construction of the temple and Solomon's palace (1 Kings 7:10) further emphasizes the splendor of his reign. This act of giving can be seen as a type of the future gathering of nations to the glory of God's kingdom, as prophesied in Isaiah 60:5-6. Never again were spices in such abundance brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon
This statement highlights the unparalleled nature of the queen's gift, emphasizing the extraordinary wealth and generosity she displayed. It serves to illustrate the peak of Solomon's international relations and the high regard in which he was held by other rulers. The phrase also suggests a unique moment in history, where the wisdom and prosperity of Solomon's kingdom were unmatched. This can be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate reign of Christ, where all nations will bring their glory and honor into the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:24-26). Persons / Places / Events 1. Queen of ShebaA monarch from a wealthy and distant land, often associated with the region of modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia. She visited King Solomon to test his wisdom and brought lavish gifts. 2. King SolomonThe son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon was known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. His reign is often seen as a high point in Israel's history. 3. JerusalemThe capital city of Israel, where Solomon's palace and the Temple were located. It was the center of political and religious life in Israel. 4. Talents of GoldA talent was a large unit of weight used in ancient times, and 120 talents of gold represented a significant amount of wealth. 5. Spices and Precious StonesThese were luxury items in the ancient world, often used in trade and as gifts to signify wealth and honor. Teaching Points The Pursuit of WisdomThe Queen of Sheba's journey to seek Solomon's wisdom underscores the value of pursuing wisdom, even at great cost. As believers, we are called to seek God's wisdom through His Word and prayer. Generosity and HonorThe lavish gifts given by the Queen of Sheba demonstrate the importance of generosity and honoring those who are wise and godly. We are encouraged to be generous in our giving, reflecting God's generosity to us. Recognition of God's BlessingsSolomon's wealth and wisdom were blessings from God. We should recognize and be thankful for the blessings in our lives, using them to glorify God and serve others. The Greater SolomonJesus is the greater Solomon, possessing divine wisdom and offering salvation. We are called to recognize and respond to His wisdom and authority in our lives. Bible Study Questions 1. What motivated the Queen of Sheba to visit Solomon, and how can her pursuit of wisdom inspire our own spiritual journey? 2. How does the generosity of the Queen of Sheba challenge us in our own giving and stewardship of resources? 3. In what ways can we seek and apply God's wisdom in our daily lives, and how does this compare to the wisdom of Solomon? 4. How does the account of the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon point us to the greater wisdom and authority of Jesus Christ? 5. Reflect on a time when you recognized God's blessings in your life. How can you use these blessings to honor God and serve others? Connections to Other Scriptures Matthew 12:42Jesus refers to the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon, highlighting her recognition of Solomon's wisdom and contrasting it with the generation that failed to recognize Jesus' greater wisdom. 2 Chronicles 9:1-9This passage parallels the account in 1 Kings, providing additional details about the Queen of Sheba's visit and the gifts she brought. Proverbs 3:13-15These verses extol the value of wisdom, comparing it to precious stones and riches, similar to the gifts brought by the Queen of Sheba. People Arabians, Aram, Hiram, Hittites, Ophir, Solomon, Tarshish, TharshishPlaces Egypt, House of the Forest of Lebanon, Jerusalem, Kue, Ophir, Sheba, Shephelah, Syria, TarshishTopics Abundance, Gold, Hundred, Large, Precious, Quantities, Queen, Sheba, Solomon, Spices, Stones, Store, Talents, TwentyDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 10:10 4466 herbs and spices
5260 coinage 1 Kings 10:1-10 5487 queen
5849 exaltation 1 Kings 10:1-13 5745 women 1 Kings 10:10-11 4333 gold
4342 jewels Library Coming to the King.
"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."--1 Kings x. 13. The beautiful history recorded in the chapter from which the above words are quoted is deeply instructive to those who have learned to recognise CHRIST in the Scriptures. The reference to this narrative by our LORD Himself was surely designed to draw our attention to it, and gives it an added interest. The blessings, too, received by the Queen …
J. Hudson Taylor—A Ribband of BlueA Royal Seeker after Wisdom
'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. 2. 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. 3. And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not. 4. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Gift
"There came no more such abundance of spices as those which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon."--1 Kings x. 10. Mechthild of Hellfde, 1277. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 "What dost thou bring me, O my Queen? Love maketh thy steps to fly." Lord, to Thee my jewel I bring, Greater than mountains high; Broader than all the earth's broad lands, Heavier than the ocean sands, And higher it is than the sky: Deeper it is than the depths of the sea, And fairer than the sun, Unreckoned, as if the stars …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series) Of the Weight of Government; and that all Manner of Adversity is to be Despised, and Prosperity Feared.
So much, then, have we briefly said, to shew how great is the weight of government, lest whosoever is unequal to sacred offices of government should dare to profane them, and through lust of pre-eminence undertake a leadership of perdition. For hence it is that James affectionately deters us, saying, Be not made many masters, my brethren (James iii. 1). Hence the Mediator between God and man Himself--He who, transcending the knowledge and understanding even of supernal spirits, reigns in heaven …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Meditations of the Blessed State of the Regenerate Man after Death.
This estate has three degrees:--1st, From the day of death to the resurrection; 2d, From the resurrection to the pronouncing of the sentence; 3d, After the sentence, which lasts eternally. As soon as ever the regenerate man hath yielded up his soul to Christ, the holy angels take her into their custody, and immediately carry her into heaven (Luke xvi. 22), and there present her before Christ, where she is crowned with a crown of righteousness and glory; not which she hath deserved by her good works, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety There is a Blessedness in Reversion
Blessed are the poor in spirit. Matthew 5:3 Having done with the occasion, I come now to the sermon itself. Blessed are the poor in spirit'. Christ does not begin his Sermon on the Mount as the Law was delivered on the mount, with commands and threatenings, the trumpet sounding, the fire flaming, the earth quaking, and the hearts of the Israelites too for fear; but our Saviour (whose lips dropped as the honeycomb') begins with promises and blessings. So sweet and ravishing was the doctrine of this …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of Joseph and Solomon.
In the Old Testament there are numerous references to the Second Coming of Christ, references both direct and typical, but in every instance it was His return to the earth which was in view. The secret coming of Christ into the air, to catch up the saints to Himself, was an event quite unknown to the Old Testament prophets, an event kept secret until revealed by God to the apostle Paul who, when writing to the Corinthians upon this particular aspect of our subject, said, "Behold, I show you a mystery …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return "Let any Man Come. "
[7] "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."--John 7:37-38. THE text which heads this paper contains one of those mighty sayings of Christ which deserve to be printed in letters of gold. All the stars in heaven are bright and beautiful; yet even a child can see that "one star differeth from another in glory" …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 10:10 NIV1 Kings 10:10 NLT1 Kings 10:10 ESV1 Kings 10:10 NASB1 Kings 10:10 KJV
1 Kings 10:10 Commentaries
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