1 Kings 10:11
(The fleet of Hiram that brought gold from Ophir also brought from Ophir a great cargo of almug wood and precious stones.
The fleet of Hiram
This phrase refers to the naval fleet belonging to King Hiram of Tyre, a significant ally of King Solomon. Historically, Tyre was a prominent Phoenician city known for its maritime prowess. The alliance between Solomon and Hiram is a testament to the strategic and diplomatic relationships that were crucial for trade and prosperity in the ancient Near East. The fleet symbolizes the extensive reach and influence of Solomon's kingdom, facilitated by Hiram's seafaring expertise.

that brought gold from Ophir
Ophir is a location mentioned several times in the Bible, renowned for its wealth, particularly in gold. The exact location of Ophir remains a subject of debate among scholars, with suggestions ranging from regions in Africa to the Arabian Peninsula or even India. The mention of gold from Ophir underscores the opulence and wealth of Solomon's reign, reflecting God's blessing and the fulfillment of His promises to Israel.

also brought from Ophir a great cargo of almug wood
Almug wood, also known as algum wood, is noted for its rarity and value. It was used in the construction of the temple and Solomon's palace, as well as for making musical instruments. The Hebrew term for almug wood is somewhat ambiguous, leading to various interpretations of its exact nature. This wood's inclusion in the cargo highlights the luxurious and artistic achievements during Solomon's reign, emphasizing the kingdom's cultural and spiritual richness.

and precious stones
Precious stones in the ancient world were symbols of beauty, wealth, and divine favor. They were often used in religious and royal settings, such as the breastplate of the high priest or the adornment of the temple. The import of precious stones from Ophir signifies the abundance and splendor of Solomon's kingdom, reflecting the wisdom and prosperity granted by God. This wealth was not merely for personal gain but was intended to glorify God and establish a kingdom that reflected His majesty.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hiram
King of Tyre, an ally of King Solomon, known for his skilled laborers and resources, particularly in timber and maritime trade.

2. Ophir
A region famous for its wealth, particularly gold. Its exact location is uncertain, but it is often associated with regions in Africa, Arabia, or India.

3. Almug Wood
A rare and valuable type of wood, possibly sandalwood, used in the construction of the temple and royal palaces.

4. Precious Stones
Valued for their beauty and rarity, these stones were used in the adornment of the temple and Solomon's palace.

5. Solomon's Reign
A period marked by prosperity, wisdom, and extensive building projects, including the temple in Jerusalem.
Teaching Points
God's Provision and Blessings
Recognize that all wealth and resources ultimately come from God. Solomon's prosperity was a result of God's blessing.

Wise Stewardship
Use resources wisely for God's glory, as Solomon used the materials for the temple and his kingdom.

The Pursuit of Wisdom Over Wealth
While material wealth is a blessing, it should not overshadow the pursuit of wisdom and spiritual riches.

Alliances and Relationships
Consider the importance of godly alliances and partnerships, as seen in Solomon's relationship with Hiram.

Legacy and Impact
Reflect on how the use of resources can leave a lasting legacy, as Solomon's temple did for Israel.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the alliance between Solomon and Hiram reflect the importance of godly partnerships in our lives today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our pursuit of material wealth does not overshadow our pursuit of spiritual wisdom?

3. How can we apply the principle of wise stewardship in our personal finances and resources?

4. What are some modern-day "Ophirs" in our lives, and how can we use these blessings for God's glory?

5. How does the account of Solomon's wealth and resources challenge us to think about the legacy we are leaving behind?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 9:26-28
Describes Solomon's fleet and their voyages to Ophir, emphasizing the wealth and resources brought back to Israel.

2 Chronicles 9:10-11
Parallel account of the same event, highlighting the significance of the almug wood and precious stones.

Genesis 2:11-12
Mentions the land of Havilah, where there is gold, drawing a parallel to the wealth associated with Ophir.

Proverbs 3:13-15
Solomon's writings on wisdom being more precious than jewels, reflecting the value placed on spiritual over material wealth.
A Queen's ExampleMarianne Farningham.1 Kings 10:1-13
Beauty AttractingHelps to Speakers.1 Kings 10:1-13
Christ the Revealer of TruthCynddylon Jones.1 Kings 10:1-13
Consulting with Jesus1 Kings 10:1-13
How to Act When PerplexedHomiletic Review1 Kings 10:1-13
Questions AnsweredE. J. Hardy, M. A.1 Kings 10:1-13
The Queen of ShebaJ. Macaulay, M. A.1 Kings 10:1-13
The Queen of ShebaJ. Parker, D. D.1 Kings 10:1-13
The Queen of ShebaR. Young, M. A.1 Kings 10:1-13
The Queen of ShebaG. M. Grant, B. D.1 Kings 10:1-13
The Queen of Sheba's VisitC. S. Robinson, D. D.1 Kings 10:1-13
The Wisdom of SolomonMonday Club Sermons1 Kings 10:1-13
The Queen of ShebaA. Rowland 1 Kings 10:1-18
People
Arabians, Aram, Hiram, Hittites, Ophir, Solomon, Tarshish, Tharshish
Places
Egypt, House of the Forest of Lebanon, Jerusalem, Kue, Ophir, Sheba, Shephelah, Syria, Tarshish
Topics
Abundance, Addition, Almug, Almug-trees, Almugwood, Amount, Bore, Cargoes, Carried, Fleet, Gold, Hiram, Jewels, Moreover, Navy, Ophir, Plenty, Precious, Sandal-wood, Sea-force, Ships, Stone, Stones, Trees, Wood
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 10:11

     4303   metals
     5517   seafaring

1 Kings 10:1-13

     5745   women

1 Kings 10:10-11

     4333   gold

1 Kings 10:11-12

     4528   trees
     5407   merchants
     7236   Israel, united kingdom

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 Blue

A 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

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