She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan--with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. So she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind. She arrived in JerusalemThe arrival of the Queen of Sheba in Jerusalem is significant, as Jerusalem was the center of Israelite worship and governance. The Hebrew root for "arrived" (בּוֹא, bo) implies a purposeful coming, suggesting her journey was intentional and significant. Jerusalem, known as the City of David, was not only a political capital but also a spiritual center, symbolizing the heart of God's chosen people. Her arrival signifies the recognition of Solomon's wisdom and the fame of Israel's God reaching beyond its borders. with a very large caravan
The phrase "very large caravan" indicates the grandeur and wealth of the Queen of Sheba. Caravans in ancient times were essential for trade and travel, often consisting of numerous camels and attendants. This large caravan underscores the importance of her visit and the wealth she possessed. Historically, such caravans were common for trade routes connecting Africa, Arabia, and the Near East, highlighting the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations. with camels bearing spices
Camels were the primary means of transport across the desert, known for their endurance. The mention of "spices" points to the lucrative spice trade of the ancient world, with Sheba (modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia) being a key player. Spices were highly valued for their use in anointing oils, incense, and medicine, symbolizing wealth and luxury. The Hebrew word for spices (בְּשָׂמִים, besamim) often denotes aromatic substances, reflecting the opulence of her gifts. gold in great abundance
Gold, a symbol of wealth and divinity, was abundant in the Queen's gifts. The Hebrew word for gold (זָהָב, zahav) is frequently associated with royalty and the divine presence in the temple. Her offering of gold signifies not only her wealth but also her recognition of Solomon's status and the God he served. Historically, gold was a standard of wealth and power, often used in diplomatic exchanges. and precious stones
Precious stones, like gold, were symbols of wealth and beauty. The Hebrew term (אֶבֶן יְקָרָה, even yeqarah) suggests stones of great value, possibly including gems like sapphires, rubies, or emeralds. These stones were often used in royal adornments and temple decorations, indicating the high regard the Queen had for Solomon. Archaeological findings have shown that such stones were traded across great distances, emphasizing the global connections of the ancient world. She came to Solomon
The act of coming to Solomon highlights the Queen's desire to seek wisdom and understanding. Solomon, known for his God-given wisdom, was a figure of international renown. The Hebrew root for "came" (בּוֹא, bo) again emphasizes intentionality, suggesting her journey was not merely diplomatic but also intellectual and spiritual. and spoke to him all that was on her mind
This phrase indicates a deep and meaningful exchange. The Hebrew word for "spoke" (דִּבֵּר, dibber) implies a dialogue or discourse, suggesting that the Queen sought answers to profound questions. Her openness to share "all that was on her mind" reflects a quest for truth and understanding, recognizing Solomon's wisdom as divinely inspired. This interaction underscores the biblical theme of seeking wisdom and the importance of dialogue in understanding God's will. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Queen of ShebaA monarch from the region of Sheba, likely located in present-day Yemen or Ethiopia. She is known for her wisdom and wealth, and her visit to Solomon is a significant event in biblical history. 2. SolomonThe King of Israel, renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. His reign is often seen as a high point in Israel's history. 3. JerusalemThe capital city of Israel, a central place of worship and governance during Solomon's reign. It is the location where the Queen of Sheba meets Solomon. 4. CaravanA large group of travelers, often with camels, used for transporting goods across long distances. The Queen's caravan signifies her wealth and the importance of her visit. 5. Spices, Gold, and Precious StonesThese items symbolize wealth and are often associated with trade and diplomacy in the ancient Near East. They highlight the Queen's status and the significance of her visit to Solomon. Teaching Points Seeking WisdomThe Queen of Sheba's journey to meet Solomon demonstrates the value of seeking wisdom and understanding. In our lives, we should prioritize seeking godly wisdom through prayer and study of the Scriptures. Generosity and HonorThe Queen's gifts to Solomon reflect a spirit of generosity and honor. As Christians, we are called to honor God and others with our resources and actions. Open DialogueThe Queen spoke to Solomon about all that was on her mind, illustrating the importance of open and honest communication. In our relationships, we should strive for transparency and truthfulness. Recognition of God's WorkThe Queen's visit acknowledges the greatness of Solomon's wisdom, which ultimately points to God's work in his life. We should recognize and give thanks for God's blessings and work in our lives. Cultural Exchange and InfluenceThe interaction between the Queen of Sheba and Solomon highlights the importance of cultural exchange and influence. As Christians, we should engage with the world around us, sharing the love and wisdom of Christ. Bible Study Questions 1. What motivated the Queen of Sheba to visit Solomon, and how can this inspire us to seek wisdom in our own lives? 2. How does the Queen of Sheba's generosity challenge us to be more generous with our resources and time? 3. In what ways can we practice open and honest communication in our relationships, following the example of the Queen's dialogue with Solomon? 4. How can we recognize and celebrate God's work in our lives and the lives of others, as the Queen of Sheba did with Solomon? 5. What lessons can we learn from the cultural exchange between the Queen of Sheba and Solomon about engaging with the world while maintaining our Christian values? Connections to Other Scriptures The visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus refers to her in the context of seeking wisdom and recognizing greatness. The wealth and wisdom of Solomon are also detailed in other parts of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, providing a broader context for understanding his reign. The gifts of spices, gold, and precious stones can be connected to the gifts brought to Jesus by the Magi, symbolizing honor and recognition of greatness. People Arabians, Aram, Hiram, Hittites, Ophir, Solomon, Tarshish, TharshishPlaces Egypt, House of the Forest of Lebanon, Jerusalem, Kue, Ophir, Sheba, Shephelah, Syria, TarshishTopics Abundance, Bare, Bearing, Bore, Camels, Caravan, Carrying, Communed, Company, Gold, Heart, Jerusalem, Jewels, Large, Mind, Precious, Quantities, Retinue, Solomon, Speaketh, Spices, Spoke, Stone, Stones, Stores, Talk, Talked, Train, WeightedDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 10:2 4342 jewels 1 Kings 10:1-2 4466 herbs and spices
5976 visiting 1 Kings 10:1-3 7730 explanation 1 Kings 10:1-5 7240 Jerusalem, history 1 Kings 10:1-9 5345 influence 1 Kings 10:1-10 5487 queen
5849 exaltation 1 Kings 10:1-13 5745 women 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 10:2 NIV1 Kings 10:2 NLT1 Kings 10:2 ESV1 Kings 10:2 NASB1 Kings 10:2 KJV
1 Kings 10:2 Commentaries
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