the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants and cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away. the food at his tableThis phrase highlights the abundance and quality of Solomon's provisions, reflecting the prosperity and divine blessing upon his reign. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a king's table was a symbol of his wealth and the stability of his kingdom. The Hebrew word for "food" (מַאֲכָל, ma'akal) suggests not just sustenance but a lavish feast, indicative of God's favor and the fulfillment of His promises to Israel. the seating of his servants
The arrangement and order of Solomon's court demonstrate the wisdom and organization of his administration. The Hebrew root for "seating" (מוֹשָׁב, moshav) implies a structured and hierarchical society, where each person knows their place and role. This orderliness is a reflection of divine order, as God is a God of peace and not confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). the service and attire of his attendants
The service (מִשְׁרָת, mishrat) and attire (מַלְבּוּשׁ, malbush) of Solomon's attendants speak to the excellence and splendor of his court. The meticulous attention to detail in their service and clothing reflects the glory and majesty of Solomon's kingdom, which in turn points to the greater glory of God's kingdom. The attire signifies dignity and honor, reminiscent of the priestly garments described in Exodus, symbolizing purity and holiness. his cupbearers
The role of the cupbearer (מַשְׁקֶה, mashqeh) was one of great trust and intimacy, as they were responsible for the king's safety and well-being. This position required loyalty and integrity, reflecting the high standards of Solomon's court. The presence of cupbearers underscores the security and peace of Solomon's reign, a peace that is ultimately rooted in God's covenant with Israel. and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD
The burnt offerings (עוֹלָה, olah) signify Solomon's devotion and obedience to God. These offerings were a central aspect of Israelite worship, symbolizing atonement and dedication. Solomon's commitment to worship at the temple demonstrates his acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and his role as a servant leader under God's authority. This act of worship is a reminder of the importance of maintaining a relationship with God through sacrifice and obedience. it took her breath away
The Queen of Sheba's reaction (רוּחַ, ruach) to Solomon's wisdom and the splendor of his kingdom is one of awe and wonder. Her breathlessness signifies the overwhelming impression of God's blessing upon Solomon. This encounter serves as a testament to the fulfillment of God's promises and the impact of His wisdom and glory on the nations. It foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God's glory in Christ, who is greater than Solomon (Matthew 12:42). Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonThe King of Israel, renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and the grandeur of his kingdom. His reign is marked by peace and prosperity. 2. Queen of ShebaA monarch from a distant land, likely in the region of modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia, who visits Solomon to test his wisdom with hard questions. 3. The House of the LORDRefers to the Temple in Jerusalem, which Solomon built as a place of worship and sacrifice to God. 4. Solomon's Servants and AttendantsThese individuals are part of Solomon's court, showcasing the organization and splendor of his kingdom. 5. Burnt OfferingsSacrifices made to God, signifying devotion and worship, which were a central part of Israelite religious practice. Teaching Points The Impact of Godly WisdomSolomon's wisdom, a gift from God, not only brought him personal success but also drew others to seek the truth. We should seek God's wisdom in our lives to impact others positively. The Power of a Godly TestimonyThe Queen of Sheba was overwhelmed by the evidence of God's blessing on Solomon's life. Our lives should similarly reflect God's work, drawing others to Him. Excellence in ServiceThe organization and excellence of Solomon's court serve as a model for how we should conduct our work and service, doing everything as unto the Lord. Worship and DevotionSolomon's offerings at the Temple highlight the importance of regular worship and devotion to God. We should prioritize our relationship with God through worship and sacrifice. Seeking TruthThe Queen of Sheba's journey to seek Solomon's wisdom encourages us to pursue truth and understanding, especially in spiritual matters. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Solomon's wisdom and the organization of his kingdom reflect God's character and priorities? 2. In what ways can we ensure that our lives and actions serve as a testimony to God's work in us, similar to how Solomon's court impressed the Queen of Sheba? 3. How can we apply the principle of excellence in service in our daily lives, whether at work, home, or church? 4. What are some practical ways we can prioritize worship and devotion in our lives, following Solomon's example of offering sacrifices at the Temple? 5. How can we actively seek wisdom and truth in our spiritual journey, and what resources has God provided for us to do so? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 9:4This passage parallels 1 Kings 10:5, providing another account of the Queen of Sheba's visit and her reaction to Solomon's wisdom and wealth. 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. Proverbs 9:1-6Solomon's wisdom is often associated with the wisdom literature he authored, which invites people to seek understanding and live righteously. People Arabians, Aram, Hiram, Hittites, Ophir, Solomon, Tarshish, TharshishPlaces Egypt, House of the Forest of Lebanon, Jerusalem, Kue, Ophir, Sheba, Shephelah, Syria, TarshishTopics Apparel, Ascend, Ascent, Attendance, Attendants, Attending, Attire, Bearers, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Butlers, Causeth, Clothing, Cup, Cupbearers, Cup-bearers, Deportment, Meat, Ministers, Offered, Offerings, Officials, Order, Overwhelmed, Places, Provisions, Robes, Seated, Seating, Servants, Service, Sitting, Spirit, Stairway, Standing, Table, Temple, Waiters, Waiting, Wine-servantsDictionary of Bible Themes 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 1 Kings 10:4-5 5284 cupbearer
5573 table 1 Kings 10:4-7 5554 status 1 Kings 10:4-8 8367 wisdom, importance of 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 10:5 NIV1 Kings 10:5 NLT1 Kings 10:5 ESV1 Kings 10:5 NASB1 Kings 10:5 KJV
1 Kings 10:5 Commentaries
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