Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions. Now when the queen of ShebaThe identity of the "queen of Sheba" has intrigued scholars and believers alike. Sheba is traditionally associated with the region of modern-day Yemen or possibly Ethiopia. The queen's visit signifies the far-reaching influence of Solomon's wisdom and the renown of Israel. Her journey underscores the historical and geographical connections between ancient Israel and other prominent civilizations of the time. heard about the fame of Solomon
The fame of Solomon was not merely due to his wealth or political power but was intrinsically linked to his wisdom, which was a divine gift. The Hebrew word for "fame" (שֵׁמַע, shema) implies a report or reputation that spreads far and wide. This fame was a testament to the fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon, as seen in 1 Kings 3:12, where God grants him unparalleled wisdom. concerning the name of the LORD
This phrase highlights that Solomon's wisdom and fame were not for his own glory but were intrinsically connected to the "name of the LORD" (יהוה, Yahweh). In the ancient Near Eastern context, a name represented one's character and authority. Solomon's wisdom was a reflection of God's character and a testament to His covenant with Israel. It was this divine association that piqued the queen's interest, suggesting that she recognized a divine element in Solomon's rule. she came to test him with difficult questions
The queen's intent to "test" Solomon with "difficult questions" (חִידוֹת, chidot) indicates a practice common in the ancient world, where rulers and sages would engage in intellectual and philosophical exchanges. These "riddles" or "enigmas" were not merely trivial puzzles but profound questions about life, governance, and spirituality. Her approach reflects a genuine quest for truth and understanding, acknowledging Solomon's God-given wisdom as a source of insight into the mysteries of life. Persons / Places / Events 1. Queen of ShebaA monarch from a wealthy and distant land, often associated with the region of modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia. She is known for her wisdom and curiosity, seeking to understand Solomon's wisdom and his relationship with God. 2. SolomonThe King of Israel, renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and his relationship with God. His fame had spread far and wide, attracting the attention of foreign dignitaries like the Queen of Sheba. 3. ShebaA kingdom believed to be located in the southern Arabian Peninsula or the Horn of Africa. It was known for its wealth, particularly in spices and gold. 4. The LORDThe covenant name of God, Yahweh, indicating a personal and relational aspect of God with His people, which was a significant part of Solomon's fame. 5. Difficult QuestionsThe Queen of Sheba came to test Solomon with challenging questions, indicating a desire to probe the depth of his wisdom and understanding. Teaching Points Pursuit of WisdomThe Queen of Sheba's journey to seek Solomon's wisdom underscores the value of pursuing godly wisdom. Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom from God, who is the source of all understanding. Influence of a Godly ReputationSolomon's relationship with God was known far and wide, attracting others to seek the truth. Our lives should reflect our relationship with God, drawing others to Him. Testing and Proving FaithJust as the Queen tested Solomon, our faith and understanding may be tested. We should be prepared to give an account of the hope and wisdom we have in Christ. The Role of Curiosity in FaithThe Queen's curiosity led her to discover the truth about Solomon and his God. Healthy curiosity can lead us to deeper understanding and faith. The Impact of God's BlessingSolomon's wisdom and wealth were a testament to God's blessing. Our lives should reflect God's blessings in a way that points others to Him. Bible Study Questions 1. What motivated the Queen of Sheba to visit Solomon, and how can her pursuit of wisdom inspire our own spiritual journey? 2. How does Solomon's reputation for wisdom and his relationship with God challenge us to live in a way that reflects God's glory? 3. In what ways can we prepare ourselves to answer the "difficult questions" about our faith that others might ask? 4. How does the Queen of Sheba's curiosity about Solomon's wisdom encourage us to explore and deepen our understanding of God's Word? 5. Reflect on a time when God's blessings in your life have drawn others to inquire about your faith. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? Connections to Other Scriptures Matthew 12:42Jesus refers to the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon, highlighting her pursuit of wisdom and contrasting it with the generation that rejected Him, who is greater than Solomon. Proverbs 2:6This verse speaks of the Lord giving wisdom, which is evident in Solomon's life and the reason for the Queen of Sheba's visit. James 1:5Encourages believers to seek wisdom from God, who gives generously, reflecting the wisdom Solomon received from God. People Arabians, Aram, Hiram, Hittites, Ophir, Solomon, Tarshish, TharshishPlaces Egypt, House of the Forest of Lebanon, Jerusalem, Kue, Ophir, Sheba, Shephelah, Syria, TarshishTopics Connection, Difficult, Enigmas, Fame, Hearing, Prove, Queen, Questions, Relation, Sheba, Solomon, Test, Try, WisdomDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 10:1 3050 Holy Spirit, wisdom
5857 fame
7949 mission, of Israel 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 10:1 NIV1 Kings 10:1 NLT1 Kings 10:1 ESV1 Kings 10:1 NASB1 Kings 10:1 KJV
1 Kings 10:1 Commentaries
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