She said to the king, "The report I heard in my own country about your words and wisdom is true. She said to the kingThis phrase introduces the Queen of Sheba, a figure of great intrigue and mystery. Her visit to King Solomon is a significant event, highlighting the international reputation Solomon had achieved. The Hebrew word for "said" (אָמַר, 'amar) often implies a declaration or proclamation, suggesting the importance of her words. The Queen of Sheba's approach to Solomon signifies a moment of recognition and respect for his God-given wisdom, which had reached far beyond the borders of Israel. The report I heard
The word "report" (שֵׁמַע, shema') in Hebrew can also mean "fame" or "news." This indicates that Solomon's wisdom and the prosperity of his kingdom were well-known across distant lands. The Queen of Sheba's acknowledgment of the report she heard underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon that his wisdom would be unparalleled (1 Kings 3:12). It also reflects the biblical theme of God's blessings being a testimony to the nations. in my own country
This phrase emphasizes the vast reach of Solomon's reputation. The Queen of Sheba's country, likely located in the region of modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia, was a significant distance from Israel. This highlights the extensive trade networks and communication channels of the ancient world. Her journey signifies a quest for truth and understanding, a theme that resonates with the biblical call to seek wisdom and knowledge. about your words and wisdom
The focus on "words and wisdom" (דְּבָרֶיךָ וְחָכְמָתֶךָ, devarayikha ve'khokhmatkha) underscores the dual aspects of Solomon's renown. His "words" refer to his teachings, judgments, and possibly his writings, such as the Proverbs. "Wisdom" (חָכְמָה, chokhmah) in the Hebrew context is not merely intellectual knowledge but encompasses practical understanding, moral insight, and the ability to govern justly. Solomon's wisdom is a divine gift, as seen in 1 Kings 3:12, and serves as a testament to God's favor and the fulfillment of His promises. is true
The Queen of Sheba's affirmation that the report "is true" (אֱמֶת, emet) is a powerful testament to the authenticity and reliability of Solomon's wisdom. In Hebrew, "emet" conveys a sense of faithfulness and certainty. Her declaration serves as a witness to the truth of God's work in Solomon's life and the reality of His blessings upon Israel. It also reflects the biblical principle that truth is ultimately revealed and confirmed through experience and observation. Persons / Places / Events 1. Queen of ShebaA monarch from the region of Sheba, likely located in modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia. She visited King Solomon to test his wisdom with hard questions. 2. King SolomonThe son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon was known for his unparalleled wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. 3. JerusalemThe capital city of Israel, where Solomon reigned and where the Queen of Sheba visited to witness Solomon's wisdom firsthand. 4. The ReportRefers to the news or rumors about Solomon's wisdom and wealth that reached the Queen of Sheba in her own country. 5. WisdomA key theme in Solomon's reign, often associated with his ability to govern and make just decisions, as well as his understanding of the natural world. Teaching Points The Pursuit of WisdomThe Queen of Sheba's journey underscores the value of seeking wisdom, even at great personal cost and effort. As believers, we are encouraged to pursue godly wisdom through prayer and study of the Scriptures. The Testimony of a Godly LifeSolomon's wisdom and the prosperity of his kingdom served as a testimony to the nations. Our lives should similarly reflect God's wisdom and blessings, drawing others to seek Him. The Fulfillment of God's PromisesSolomon's wisdom was a direct fulfillment of God's promise. This reminds us of God's faithfulness and the importance of trusting His promises in our own lives. The Impact of ReputationThe Queen of Sheba was drawn by the reports of Solomon's wisdom. Our reputations as Christians should reflect Christ's character, influencing others positively. The Importance of VerificationThe Queen of Sheba sought to verify the reports she heard. In our spiritual lives, we should be diligent in verifying teachings and doctrines against the truth of Scripture. 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 Solomon's wisdom reflect God's character, and what can we learn from this about the nature of true wisdom? 3. In what ways can our lives serve as a testimony to others, similar to how Solomon's wisdom and prosperity testified to the Queen of Sheba? 4. How does the fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon encourage us to trust in God's promises today? 5. What steps can we take to ensure that our understanding of wisdom and truth is grounded in Scripture, similar to the Queen of Sheba's verification of Solomon's wisdom? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 3:12This verse highlights God's promise to Solomon, granting him unparalleled wisdom, which is the foundation for the Queen of Sheba's visit. Proverbs 1:7Connects to the theme of wisdom, emphasizing that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, which Solomon exemplified. Matthew 12:42Jesus refers to the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon, using it as a comparison to His own ministry and the wisdom He offers. People Arabians, Aram, Hiram, Hittites, Ophir, Solomon, Tarshish, TharshishPlaces Egypt, House of the Forest of Lebanon, Jerusalem, Kue, Ophir, Sheba, Shephelah, Syria, TarshishTopics TRUE, Achievements, Acts, Affairs, Matters, Report, WisdomDictionary of Bible Themes 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 10:4-7 5554 status 1 Kings 10:4-8 8367 wisdom, importance of 1 Kings 10:6-7 1461 truth, nature of
5120 Solomon, character 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 10:6 NIV1 Kings 10:6 NLT1 Kings 10:6 ESV1 Kings 10:6 NASB1 Kings 10:6 KJV
1 Kings 10:6 Commentaries
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