Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD's eternal love for Israel, He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness." Blessed be the LORD your GodThis phrase is a declaration of praise and acknowledgment of the sovereignty and goodness of Yahweh, the God of Israel. The Hebrew word for "blessed" is "barak," which conveys a sense of adoration and reverence. In the context of 1 Kings 10, this blessing is pronounced by the Queen of Sheba, a foreign dignitary, which underscores the universal recognition of God's favor upon Solomon and Israel. It reflects the biblical theme that God's blessings are evident to all nations, fulfilling the Abrahamic promise that through Israel, all nations would be blessed ( Genesis 12:3). who has delighted in you
The Hebrew root for "delighted" is "chaphets," which means to take pleasure in or to have a favorable inclination towards someone. This phrase indicates God's personal and affectionate choice of Solomon as king. It emphasizes the relational aspect of God's covenant with David's lineage, where God not only appoints leaders but also takes joy in them. This delight is not based on human merit but on God's sovereign will and purpose. to set you on the throne of Israel
The phrase "to set you on the throne" signifies divine appointment and authority. The throne of Israel is not merely a political seat but a symbol of God's kingdom on earth. The historical context here is crucial; Solomon's reign is seen as the zenith of Israel's united monarchy, a period marked by peace, prosperity, and the building of the Temple. This setting on the throne is a fulfillment of God's promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:12-16, where God assures David of an everlasting dynasty. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel
The term "eternal love" is derived from the Hebrew word "ahavah," which denotes a steadfast, covenantal love. This love is not transient or conditional but is rooted in God's unchanging nature and His covenant with Israel. It is this love that motivates God's actions and decisions regarding Israel's leadership. The historical narrative of Israel is a testament to God's enduring commitment to His people, despite their frequent disobedience. He has made you king
This phrase underscores the divine initiative in Solomon's kingship. The making of a king is not merely a human political process but a divine ordination. In the biblical worldview, true leadership is established by God, and kings are seen as His representatives on earth. This divine appointment carries with it the responsibility to lead according to God's statutes and purposes. to carry out justice and righteousness
The Hebrew words for "justice" (mishpat) and "righteousness" (tsedaqah) are foundational to the biblical understanding of godly leadership. Justice involves fair and equitable treatment of all people, while righteousness refers to living in accordance with God's moral standards. Solomon's charge to carry out these principles reflects the ideal of a theocratic kingdom where the king's rule mirrors God's character. This mandate is a reminder that true leadership is measured by one's commitment to uphold God's justice and righteousness in society. Persons / Places / Events 1. Queen of ShebaA monarch from a wealthy kingdom, likely in the region of modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia, who visits King Solomon to test his wisdom and witness his wealth and splendor. 2. King SolomonThe son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon is renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. He is the king of Israel during this account. 3. IsraelThe nation chosen by God, over which Solomon reigns. It is a central location in biblical history and theology, representing God's covenant people. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God, who is acknowledged by the Queen of Sheba as the source of Solomon's wisdom and the one who has placed him on the throne. 5. JerusalemThe capital city of Israel, where Solomon's throne is located and where the Queen of Sheba visits to see Solomon's wisdom and wealth firsthand. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in LeadershipRecognize that God is the ultimate authority who appoints leaders according to His purposes. Solomon's reign is a testament to God's sovereign choice and His love for Israel. The Role of Justice and RighteousnessAs believers, we are called to pursue justice and righteousness in our own lives, reflecting God's character and His expectations for leaders. Acknowledging God's BlessingsLike the Queen of Sheba, we should acknowledge and praise God for His blessings and the wisdom He imparts to those who seek Him. The Impact of Godly LeadershipGodly leadership can have a profound impact on a nation and its people. We should pray for our leaders to seek God's wisdom and lead with integrity. The Eternal Love of GodGod's love for His people is eternal and unchanging. This love is demonstrated through His provision and guidance, as seen in His establishment of Solomon as king. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the Queen of Sheba's recognition of God's role in Solomon's reign challenge us to see God's hand in our own leadership and governance today? 2. In what ways can we, like Solomon, pursue justice and righteousness in our personal and professional lives? 3. How does the acknowledgment of God's blessings in our lives lead to a deeper relationship with Him and a greater impact on those around us? 4. What are some practical ways we can support and pray for our leaders to seek God's wisdom and lead with integrity? 5. How does understanding God's eternal love for His people encourage us in our faith journey, especially during challenging times? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 17:14-20This passage outlines the laws for kings in Israel, emphasizing the need for the king to follow God's law and lead with justice and righteousness, which connects to Solomon's role as described in 1 Kings 10:9. Psalm 72A psalm attributed to Solomon, which prays for the king to rule with justice and righteousness, reflecting the themes of Solomon's reign as mentioned by the Queen of Sheba. Proverbs 8:15-16These verses speak of wisdom's role in establishing just rulers, which aligns with Solomon's reputation for wisdom and his ability to carry out justice and righteousness. People Arabians, Aram, Hiram, Hittites, Ophir, Solomon, Tarshish, TharshishPlaces Egypt, House of the Forest of Lebanon, Jerusalem, Kue, Ophir, Sheba, Shephelah, Syria, TarshishTopics Age, Blessed, Delighted, Eternal, Execute, Forever, Judge, Judgment, Justice, Kingdom, Lord's, Love, Loved, Loves, Loving, Maintain, Placed, Pleasure, Praised, Righteousness, Seat, ThroneDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 10:9 1075 God, justice of
5361 justice, human
5581 throne
7141 people of God, OT
8460 pleasing God 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 10:9 NIV1 Kings 10:9 NLT1 Kings 10:9 ESV1 Kings 10:9 NASB1 Kings 10:9 KJV
1 Kings 10:9 Commentaries
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