Solomon's wisdom here uniquely manifests through material abundance rather than judicial decisions, as the Queen of Sheba measures his divine gift by his palace's splendor and servants' prosperity.
1 Kings 10
The Queen of Sheba's Visit
1When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the LORD’s name, she came to test him with hard questions.
2She came to Jerusalem with a very great caravan, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she had come to Solomon, she talked with him about all that was in her heart.
3Solomon answered all her questions. There wasn’t anything hidden from the king which he didn’t tell her.
4When the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built,
5the food of his table, the sitting of his servants, the attendance of his officials, their clothing, his cup bearers, and his ascent by which he went up to the LORD’s house, there was no more spirit in her.
6She said to the king, “It was a true report that I heard in my own land of your acts and of your wisdom.
7However, I didn’t believe the words until I came and my eyes had seen it. Behold, not even half was told me! Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame which I heard.
8Happy are your men, happy are these your servants who stand continually before you, who hear your wisdom.
9Blessed is the LORD your God, who delighted in you, to set you on the throne of Israel. Because the LORD loved Israel forever, therefore he made you king, to do justice and righteousness.”
10She gave the king one hundred twenty talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again was there such an abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
11The fleet of Hiram that brought gold from Ophir also brought in from Ophir great quantities of almug trees and precious stones.
12The king made of the almug trees pillars for the LORD’s house and for the king’s house, harps also and stringed instruments for the singers; no such almug trees came or were seen to this day.
13King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, in addition to that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own land, she and her servants.
Solomon's Wealth and Splendor
14Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred sixty-six talents of gold,
15in addition to that which the traders brought, and the traffic of the merchants, and of all the kings of the mixed people, and of the governors of the country.
16King Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold; six hundred shekels of gold went to one buckler.
17He made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three minas of gold went to one shield; and the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
18Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the finest gold.
19There were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was round behind; and there were armrests on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.
20Twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other on the six steps. Nothing like it was made in any kingdom.
21All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were of silver, because it was considered of little value in the days of Solomon.
22For the king had a fleet of ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet. Once every three years the fleet of Tarshish came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
23So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.
24All the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom which God had put in his heart.
25Year after year, every man brought his tribute, vessels of silver, vessels of gold, clothing, armor, spices, horses, and mules.
26Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen. He kept them in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.
27The king made silver as common as stones in Jerusalem, and cedars as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland.
28The horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt. The king’s merchants received them in droves, each drove at a price.
29A chariot was imported from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for one hundred fifty shekels; and so they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Syria.
Font Size 17pt
Line Spacing
Theme
The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon after hearing reports of his wisdom and wealth, testing him with difficult questions and marveling at his court's splendor. Solomon answers all her inquiries and displays such magnificence that she declares the reports she heard were only half the truth, praising both Solomon and the LORD who established him. The chapter concludes with detailed descriptions of Solomon's extraordinary annual income, golden shields, ivory throne, and international trade networks that brought unprecedented wealth to Israel.
Context
This chapter represents the pinnacle of Solomon's reign following the temple's completion, showcasing the fulfillment of God's promises before the decline that begins in chapter 11.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-3 The Queen's Arrival and Testing The Queen of Sheba comes with a great caravan to test Solomon's renowned wisdom with hard questions.
- 4-9 The Queen's Amazement and Praise Overwhelmed by Solomon's wisdom and palace splendor, she declares the reports understated his greatness and blesses the LORD.
- 10-13 Exchange of Royal Gifts The queen presents Solomon with gold, spices, and precious stones, receiving generous gifts in return before departing.
- 14-22 Solomon's Annual Wealth Description of Solomon's massive gold income and his creation of golden shields and ceremonial items.
- 23-25 Solomon's International Reputation Kings from all nations seek Solomon's wisdom and bring tribute, enhancing his wealth and influence.
- 26-29 Solomon's Military and Commercial Power Details of Solomon's chariot forces, horse trading, and control of international commerce routes.
The Queen of Sheba's Visit
10:1–10:13 narrative dialogue triumphant
The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to test his wisdom with difficult questions and is overwhelmed by his knowledge, wealth, and the magnificence of his court. She praises both Solomon and the Lord, and they exchange lavish gifts.
person_contrast
Solomon's wisdom here uniquely manifests through material abundance rather than judicial decisions, as the Queen of Sheba measures his divine gift by his palace's splendor and servants' prosperity.
Solomon's Wealth and Splendor
10:14–10:29 narrative narration triumphant
This passage describes Solomon's immense wealth, including gold, ivory, and exotic goods from international trade, demonstrating God's blessing and Israel's prosperity under his reign. Solomon's riches and wisdom exceeded all other kings, drawing tribute and visitors from across the known world.
person_contrast
Solomon's annual gold intake of 666 talents creates an ominous numerical echo that later biblical writers would associate with ultimate worldly power and its spiritual dangers.
Insights
Solomon's annual gold intake of 666 talents creates an ominous numerical echo that later biblical writers would associate with ultimate worldly power and its spiritual dangers.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
1 Kings 10:1 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Chronicles 9:1 Lexical
When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to test Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a…
2 Chronicles 9:3 Lexical
When the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built,
2 Chronicles 9:12 Lexical
King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, more than that which she had brought to the…
2 Chronicles 9:9 Lexical
She gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great abundance, and precious stones. There was neve…
1 Kings 10:2 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 9:1 Lexical
When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to test Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a…
2 Chronicles 9:9 Lexical
She gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great abundance, and precious stones. There was neve…
2 Chronicles 32:27 Lexical
Hezekiah had exceedingly great riches and honor. He provided himself with treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious…
Ezekiel 27:22 Lexical
“‘“The traders of Sheba and Raamah were your traders. They traded for your wares with the best of all spices, all precio…
2 Chronicles 9:10 Lexical
The servants of Huram and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, also brought algum trees and precious st…
1 Kings 10:3 1 reference
1 Kings 10:4 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Chronicles 9:3 Lexical
When the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built,
2 Chronicles 9:12 Lexical
King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, more than that which she had brought to the…
2 Chronicles 9:9 Lexical
She gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great abundance, and precious stones. There was neve…
2 Chronicles 9:1 Lexical
When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to test Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a…
1 Kings 10:5 1 reference
1 Kings 10:7 1 reference
1 Kings 10:8 1 reference
1 Kings 10:9 2 references
1 Kings 10:10 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 9:9 Lexical
She gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great abundance, and precious stones. There was neve…
2 Chronicles 9:1 Lexical
When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to test Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a…
2 Chronicles 32:27 Lexical
Hezekiah had exceedingly great riches and honor. He provided himself with treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious…
2 Samuel 12:30 Lexical
He took the crown of their king from off his head; and its weight was a talent of gold, and in it were precious stones;…
1 Chronicles 20:2 Lexical
David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious st…
1 Kings 10:11 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 9:10 Lexical
The servants of Huram and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, also brought algum trees and precious st…
1 Chronicles 20:2 Lexical
David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious st…
2 Chronicles 32:27 Lexical
Hezekiah had exceedingly great riches and honor. He provided himself with treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious…
2 Samuel 12:30 Lexical
He took the crown of their king from off his head; and its weight was a talent of gold, and in it were precious stones;…
2 Chronicles 9:9 Lexical
She gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great abundance, and precious stones. There was neve…
1 Kings 10:12 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Chronicles 9:11 Lexical
The king used algum tree wood to make terraces for the LORD’s house and for the king’s house, and harps and stringed ins…
1 Chronicles 15:16 Lexical
David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers with instruments of music, stringed instrum…
2 Chronicles 5:12 Lexical
also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and their brothers, arra…
2 Samuel 6:5 Lexical
David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of cypress wood, with harps,…
1 Kings 10:13 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Chronicles 9:12 Lexical
King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, more than that which she had brought to the…
2 Chronicles 9:9 Lexical
She gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great abundance, and precious stones. There was neve…
2 Chronicles 9:1 Lexical
When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to test Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a…
2 Chronicles 9:3 Lexical
When the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built,
1 Kings 10:14 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 9:13 Lexical
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred sixty-six talents of gold,
2 Samuel 12:30 Lexical
He took the crown of their king from off his head; and its weight was a talent of gold, and in it were precious stones;…
1 Chronicles 20:2 Lexical
David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious st…
1 Chronicles 22:14 Lexical
Now, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for the LORD’s house one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million tal…
1 Chronicles 21:25 Lexical
So David gave to Ornan six hundred shekels of gold by weight for the place.
1 Kings 10:15 1 reference
1 Kings 10:16 1 reference
1 Kings 10:17 2 references
Lexicals 2
1 Kings 10:18 1 reference
1 Kings 10:19 2 references
Lexicals 2
1 Kings 10:20 2 references
Lexicals 2
1 Kings 10:21 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 9:20 Lexical
All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure…
2 Chronicles 5:1 Lexical
Thus all the work that Solomon did for the LORD’s house was finished. Solomon brought in the things that David his fathe…
1 Kings 7:51 Lexical
Thus all the work that King Solomon did in the LORD’s house was finished. Solomon brought in the things which David his…
Isaiah 29:17 Lexical
Isn’t it yet a very little while, and Lebanon will be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field will be regar…
2 Chronicles 9:16 Lexical
He made three hundred shields of beaten gold. Three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. The king put them in the…
1 Kings 10:22 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 9:21 Lexical
For the king had ships that went to Tarshish with Huram’s servants. Once every three years, the ships of Tarshish came b…
1 Kings 9:27 Lexical
Hiram sent in the fleet his servants, sailors who had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.
Ezekiel 38:13 Lexical
Sheba, Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all its young lions, will ask you, ‘Have you come to take the plunder?…
Isaiah 60:9 Lexical
Surely the islands will wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your sons from far away, their silver and…
Jeremiah 10:9 Lexical
There is silver beaten into plates, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the engraver and of…
1 Kings 10:23 2 references
1 Kings 10:24 1 reference
1 Kings 10:25 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 9:24 Lexical
They each brought tribute: vessels of silver, vessels of gold, clothing, armor, spices, horses, and mules every year.
Isaiah 66:20 Lexical
They shall bring all your brothers out of all the nations for an offering to the LORD, on horses, in chariots, in litter…
2 Kings 20:13 Lexical
Hezekiah listened to them, and showed them all the storehouse of his precious things—the silver, the gold, the spices, a…
2 Chronicles 32:27 Lexical
Hezekiah had exceedingly great riches and honor. He provided himself with treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious…
Isaiah 39:2 Lexical
Hezekiah was pleased with them, and showed them the house of his precious things, the silver, the gold, the spices, and…
1 Kings 10:26 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 1:14 Lexical
Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen. He had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen that he p…
2 Chronicles 9:25 Lexical
Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen that he stationed in the chariot…
1 Samuel 13:5 Lexical
The Philistines assembled themselves together to fight with Israel: thirty thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and…
1 Kings 9:19 Lexical
all the storage cities that Solomon had, the cities for his chariots, the cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomo…
1 Kings 9:22 Lexical
But of the children of Israel Solomon made no bondservants; but they were the men of war, his servants, his princes, his…
1 Kings 10:27 3 references
Lexicals 3
2 Chronicles 9:27 Lexical
The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars to be as abundant as the sycamore trees that a…
2 Chronicles 1:15 Lexical
The king made silver and gold to be as common as stones in Jerusalem, and he made cedars to be as common as the sycamore…
1 Chronicles 27:28 Lexical
Over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowland was Baal Hanan the Gederite. Over the cellars of oi…
1 Kings 10:28 1 reference
1 Kings 10:29 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Chronicles 1:17 Lexical
They imported from Egypt then exported a chariot for six hundred pieces of silver and a horse for one hundred fifty. The…
2 Samuel 15:1 Lexical
After this, Absalom prepared a chariot and horses for himself, and fifty men to run before him.
2 Kings 7:6 Lexical
For the Lord had made the army of the Syrians to hear the sound of chariots and the sound of horses, even the noise of a…
Isaiah 2:7 Lexical
Their land is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures. Their land also is full of horses, n…
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
v. 1
v. 2
v. 3
v. 4
v. 5
v. 6
v. 7
v. 8
v. 9
v. 10
v. 11
v. 12
v. 13
v. 14
v. 15
v. 16
v. 17
v. 18
v. 19
v. 20
v. 21
v. 22
v. 23
v. 24
v. 25
v. 26
v. 27
v. 28
v. 29
Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages
Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
Loading map...