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Texts -- 1 Kings 10:1-13 (NET)

Context
Solomon Entertains a Queen
10:1 When the queen of Sheba heard about Solomon , she came to challenge him with difficult questions . 10:2 She arrived in Jerusalem with a great display of pomp , bringing with her camels carrying spices , a very large quantity of gold , and precious gems . She visited Solomon and discussed with him everything that was on her mind . 10:3 Solomon answered all her questions ; there was no question too complex for the king . 10:4 When the queen of Sheba saw for herself Solomon’s extensive wisdom , the palace he had built , 10:5 the food in his banquet hall , his servants and attendants , their robes , his cupbearers , and his burnt offerings which he presented in the Lord’s temple , she was amazed. 10:6 She said to the king , “The report I heard in my own country about your wise sayings and insight was true ! 10:7 I did not believe these things until I came and saw them with my own eyes . Indeed , I didn’t hear even half the story! Your wisdom and wealth surpass what was reported to me. 10:8 Your attendants , who stand before you at all times and hear your wise sayings , are truly happy ! 10:9 May the Lord your God be praised because he favored you by placing you on the throne of Israel ! Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel , he made you king so you could make just and right decisions .” 10:10 She gave the king 120 talents of gold , a very large quantity of spices , and precious gems . The quantity of spices the queen of Sheba gave King Solomon has never been matched . 10:11 (Hiram’s fleet , which carried gold from Ophir , also brought from Ophir a very large quantity of fine timber and precious gems . 10:12 With the timber the king made supports for the Lord’s temple and for the royal palace and stringed instruments for the musicians . No one has seen so much of this fine timber to this very day .) 10:13 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba everything she requested , besides what he had freely offered her. Then she left and returned to her homeland with her attendants .

Pericope

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Bible Dictionary

  • Solomon

    [ebd] peaceful, (Heb. Shelomoh), David's second son by Bathsheba, i.e., the first after their legal marriage (2 Sam. 12). He was probably born about B.C. 1035 (1 Chr. 22:5; 29:1). He succeeded his father on the throne in early man...
    [isbe] SOLOMON - sol'-o-mun (shelomoh; New Testament Solomon): I. EARLY LIFE 1. Name and Meaning 2. Sources 3. Birth and Upbringing 4. His Accession 5. Closing Days of David II. REIGN OF SOLOMON 1. His Vision 2. His Policy 3. Its R...
    [nave] SOLOMON Son of David by Bathsheba, 2 Sam. 12:24; 1 Kin. 1:13, 17, 21. Named Jedidiah, by Nathan the prophet, 2 Sam. 12:24, 25. Ancestor of Joseph, Matt. 1:6. Succeeds David to the throne of Israel, 1 Kin. 1:11-48; 2:12; 1...

  • Sheba

    [ebd] an oath, seven. (1.) Heb. shebha, the son of Raamah (Gen. 10:7), whose descendants settled with those of Dedan on the Persian Gulf. (2.) Heb. id. A son of Joktan (Gen. 10:28), probably the founder of the Sabeans. (3.) Heb. i...
    [smith] (seven , or all oath). A son of Raamah son of Cush. (Genesis 10:7; 1 Chronicles 1:9) A soil of Joktan. (Genesis 10:28; 1 Chronicles 1:22) A son of Jokshan son of Keturah. (Genesis 25:3; 1 Chronicles 1:32) We shall c...
    [nave] SHEBA 1. Son of Raamah, Gen. 10:7; 1 Chr. 1:9. 2. Son of Joktan, Gen. 10:28; 1 Chr. 1:22. 3. Son of Jokshan, Gen. 25:3; 1 Chr. 1:32. 4. A Benjamite who led an insurrection against David, 2 Sam. 20. 5. A Gadite, 1 Chr. 5:...

  • Queen

    [isbe] QUEEN - kwen: The Bible applies this term: (1) To the wife of a king ("queen consort") (malkah). In the Book of Esther it is the title given to Vashti (1:9) and Esther (2:22); compare Song 6:8 f. Another Hebrew word for quee...
    [nave] QUEEN The wife of a king, 1 Kin. 11:19. Crowned, Esth. 1:11; 2:17. Divorced, Esth. 1:10-22. Sits on the throne with the king, Neh. 2:6. Makes feasts for the women of the royal household, Esth. 1:9. Exerts an evil influe...

  • QUEEN OF SHEBA

    [isbe] QUEEN OF SHEBA - she'-ba (1 Ki 10:1-13; 2 Ch 9:1-12, called in Mt 12:42; Lk 11:31, "the queen of the south" (basilissa notou)): 1. Old Testament Accounts: The two Old Testament accounts of the coming of the queen of Sheba (s...

  • Women

    [nave] WOMEN Creation of, Gen. 1:27; 2:21, 22. Named, Gen. 2:23. Fall of, and curse upon, Gen. 3:1-16; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:14. Promise to, Gen. 3:15. Had separate apartments in dwellings, Gen. 24:67; 31:33; Esth. 2:9, 11. Ve...

  • Gold

    [ebd] (1.) Heb. zahab, so called from its yellow colour (Ex. 25:11; 1 Chr. 28:18; 2 Chr. 3:5). (2.) Heb. segor, from its compactness, or as being enclosed or treasured up; thus precious or "fine gold" (1 Kings 6:20; 7:49). (3.) He...
    [isbe] GOLD - gold (zahabh; chrusos): 1. Terms: No metal has been more frequently mentioned in Old Testament writings than gold, and none has had more terms applied to it. Among these terms the one most used is zahabh. The Arabic e...
    [smith] Gold was known from the very earliest times. (Genesis 2:11) It was at first used chiefly for ornaments, etc. (Genesis 24:22) Coined money was not known to the ancients till a comparatively late period; and on the Egyptian tom...
    [nave] GOLD Exported from Havilah, Gen. 2:11, 12. From Ophir, 1 Kin. 9:28; 10:11; 1 Chr. 29:4; 2 Chr. 8:18; Job 22:24; Tarshish, 1 Kin. 22:48; Parvaim, 2 Chr. 3:6; Sheba, 1 Kin. 10:10; 2 Chr. 9:9; Psa. 72:15; Uphaz, Jer. 10:9. Re...

  • TEMPLE, A1

    [isbe] TEMPLE, A1 - tem'-p'l (hekhal, "palace"; sometimes, as in 1 Ki 6:3,5, etc.; Ezek 41:1,15 ff, used for "the holy place" only; bayith, "house," thus always in the Revised Version (British and American); hieron, naos): A. STRUC...

  • Rulers

    [nave] RULERS Appointed and removed by God. See: Government, God in. Chastised, Dan. 4. See: Nation. Monarchical, See: Kings. Patriarchal, Gen. 27:29, 37. Instances of Nimrod, Gen. 10:8-10. Abraham, Gen. 14:13-24; 17:6; 21:2...

  • Ophir

    [ebd] (1.) One of the sons of Joktan (Gen. 10:29). (2.) Some region famous for its gold (1 Kings 9:28; 10:11; 22:48; Job 22:24; 28:16; Isa. 13:12). In the LXX. this word is rendered "Sophir," and "Sofir" is the Coptic name for Ind...
    [isbe] OPHIR - o'-fer, o'-fir ('owphiyr (Gen 10:29), 'owphir (1 Ki 10:11), 'ophir): 1. Scriptural References: The 11th in order of the sons of Joktan (Gen 10:29 = 1 Ch 1:23). There is a clear reference also to a tribe Ophir (Gen 10...
    [smith] (abundane). The eleventh in order of the sons of Joktan. (Genesis 10:29; 1 Chronicles 1:23) (B.C. after 2450.) A seaport or region from which the Hebrews in the time of Solomon obtained gold. The gold was proverbial for i...
    [nave] OPHIR 1. Son of Joktan, Gen. 10:29; 1 Chr. 1:23. 2. A country celebrated for its gold and other valuable merchandise. Products of, used by Solomon and Hiram, 1 Kin. 9:28; 10:11; 2 Chr. 8:18; 9:10. Jehoshaphat sends ships t...

  • King

    [nave] KING Called King of kings, Ezra 7:12; Ezek. 26:7; Dan. 2:37. Divinely authorized, Deut. 17:15; 1 Sam. 9:16, 17; 16:12; 1 Chr. 22:10; 2 Chr. 2:11, 12; Prov. 8:15; Dan. 2:21, 37; 4:17; 5:20; Hos. 8:4; 13:11. How chosen: By d...

  • Cupbearer

    [isbe] CUPBEARER - kup'-bar-er (mashqeh, "one giving drink"; oinochoos): An officer of high rank at ancient oriental courts, whose duty it was to serve the wine at the king's table. On account of the constant fear of plots and intr...
    [smith] an officer of high rank with Egyptian, Persian and Assyrian as well as Jewish monarchs. (1 Kings 10:5) It was his duty to fill the king?s cup and present it to him personally. (Nehemiah 1:11) The chief cupbearer, or butler...
    [nave] CUPBEARER, Gen. 40:1, 11; 1 Kin. 10:5; 2 Chr. 9:4; Neh. 1:11.

  • Stones

    [nave] STONES Commandments engraved upon, Ex. 24:12; 31:18; 34:1-4; Deut. 4:13; 5:22; 9:9-11; 10:1-3. The law of Moses written upon, Josh. 8:32. Houses built of, Isa. 9:10; Amos 5:11. Temple built of, 1 Kin. 5:17, 18; 7:9-12; Ma...

  • PROVERBS, THE BOOK OF

    [isbe] PROVERBS, THE BOOK OF - prov'-erbz: I. THE BOOK'S ACCOUNT OF ITSELF 1. Title and Headings 2. Authorship or Literary Species? II. THE SUCCESSIVE COMPILATIONS 1. The Introductory Section 2. The Classic Nucleus 3. A Body of Sol...

  • Harp

    [ebd] (Heb. kinnor), the national instrument of the Hebrews. It was invented by Jubal (Gen. 4:21). Some think the word kinnor denotes the whole class of stringed instruments. It was used as an accompaniment to songs of cheerfulnes...
    [nave] HARP, a stringed instrument of music, Isa. 38:20; Ezek. 33:32; Hab. 3:19. With three strings, 1 Sam. 18:6; ten strings, Psa. 33:2; 92:3; 144:9; 150:4. Originated with Jubal, Gen. 4:21. Made of almug wood, 1 Kin. 10:12. Da...

  • Algum

    [ebd] (2 Chr. 2:8; 9:10,11), the same as almug (1 Kings 10:11).
    [nave] ALGUM, called also Almug, trees of Ophir and Lebanon, 1 Kin. 10:11, 12; 2 Chr. 2:8; 9:10, 11.

  • Butler

    [ebd] properly a servant in charge of the wine (Gen. 40:1-13; 41:9). The Hebrew word, mashkeh, thus translated is rendered also (plural) "cup-bearers" (1 Kings 10:5; 2 Chr. 9:4). Nehemiah (1:11) was cup-bearer to king Artaxerxes. ...
    [isbe] BUTLER - but'-ler: An officer in households of kings, or other dignitaries, having charge of wines and other potables. mashqeh, "one who gives drink" (Gen 40:1-23; 41:9), rendered "cupbearer" in 1 Ki 10:5; 2 Ch 9:4; Neh 1:11...
    [nave] BUTLER Pharaoh's, imprisoned and released, Gen. 40; 1 Kin. 10:5; 2 Chr. 9:4; Neh. 1:11; 2:1.

  • GOVERNMENT

    [isbe] GOVERNMENT - guv'-ern-ment: The government of the Hebrews varied at different periods, of which we may distinguish seven: (1) the nomadic period, from the Exodus to the entrance into Palestine; (2) the period of transition f...

  • ALGUM OR ALMUG TREES

    [smith] the former occurring in (2 Chronicles 2:8; 9:10,11) the latter in (1 Kings 10:11,12) These words are identical. From (1 Kings 10:11,12; 2 Chronicles 9:10,11) we learn that the almug was brought in great plenty fro...

  • Presents

    [nave] PRESENTS To Abraham, by Pharaoh, Gen. 12:16; by Abimelech, Gen. 20:14. To Rebecca, Gen. 24:22. To Esau, Gen. 32:13-15. To prophets, 1 Kin. 14:3; 2 Kin. 4:42. To those in adversity, Job 42:10, 11. Betrothal, Gen. 24:53. ...

  • QUESTION

    [isbe] QUESTION - kwes'-chun: The noun for dabhar, "word," in 1 Ki 10:3 parallel 2 Ch 9:2, with "hard question" for chidhah, "dark saying," "riddle," in 1 Ki 10:1 parallel 2 Ch 9:1. In the New Testament for zetema, the synonym zete...
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Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • In obedience to God's command Abraham took his promised heir to Moriah to sacrifice him to the Lord. Because Abraham was willing to slay his uniquely begotten son God restrained him from killing Isaac and promised to bless hi...
  • The Book of Samuel covers the period of Israel's history bracketed by Samuel's conception and the end of David's reign. David turned the kingdom over to Solomon in 971 B.C.3David reigned for 40 and one-half years (2 Sam. 2:11...
  • I. The reign of Solomon chs. 1-11A. Solomon's succession to David's throne 1:1-2:121. David's declining health 1:1-42. Adonijah's attempt to seize the throne 1:5-533. David's charge to Solomon 2:1-94. David's death 2:10-12B. ...
  • The Holy Spirit led the writer of Kings to give an interpretation of history, not just a chronologically sequential record of events. This is true of all the writers of the Old Testament historical books. Some of the events i...
  • The flowing narrative of chapters 1-2 now gives way to reports and lists that catalogue facts about Solomon's reign.The writer constructed the Solomon narrative (chs. 3-11), like so many others in the Old Testament, to draw a...
  • Solomon mortgaged 20 Galilean towns (settlements) bordering Phoenicia to Hiram. This brought the border of Phoenicia farther south. This arrangement compensated Hiram for all the lumber and 9,000 pounds of gold he had sent So...
  • God blessed Solomon with an effective navy that brought added wealth from the South and the East. Ophir (v. 28) evidently was in southwest Arabia (10:11; Job 22:24; 28:16).The writer documented in this section further evidenc...
  • The writer seems to have included this event here to support his claim that Solomon's reign was so glorious that rulers came from all over the world to meet him (4:34; cf. 3:16-18). It also shows that some of Solomon's wealth...
  • The writer of Kings referred to other ancient records (v. 41; cf. 14:19, 29). The Acts of Solomon was the first of these.120It is no longer extant.Solomon's long reign of 40 years (971-931 B.C.) ended with the king in decline...
  • Aharoni, Yohanan. "The Building Activities of David and Solomon."Israel Exploration Journal24:1(1974):13-16.Aharoni, Yohanan, and Michael Avi-Yonahl. The Macmillan Bible Atlas. Revised ed., New York: Macmillan Publishing Co.,...
  • The Chronicler's main interest in David's reign, as we have seen, focused on the Davidic Covenant with its promises to David and his descendants. In recounting the events of Solomon's reign he proceeded to emphasize the templ...
  • 45:1 The psalmist claimed to be full of joy and inspiration as he composed this song. He said what he did out of a full heart.45:2 To him the king was the greatest man he knew. One evidence of this was his gracious speech for...
  • 68:19-23 David moved from a historical review of God's giving Israel victory to confidence that He would continue to do so daily. Any who resist Yahweh can count on His powerful opposition and their own inevitable defeat. Add...
  • 72:15-17 In return for his beneficent rule the king would receive the blessing of his people. They would express their gratitude by bringing him wealth (cf. 1 Kings 10:10) and by praying for him. As a result of his good influ...
  • David anticipated that when other monarchs heard about the Lord's greatness they would worship Him too. This was the reaction of the Queen of Sheba in Solomon's day (1 Kings 10:1-13)....
  • "The Book of Proverbs has two purposes: to give moral skillfulness and to give mental discernment. The first purpose is developed in vv. 3-4; then, after a parenthetical exhortation in v. 5, the second purpose is developed in...
  • 6:16 Yahweh commanded the Judahites to compare the paths in which they could walk. Then they should ask their leaders to direct them in the good old paths, the teachings of the Mosaic Covenant. Then they should walk in those ...
  • 35:18 Jeremiah then took a promise from the Lord back to the Rechabites. The Lord praised them for their tenacity in clinging to what they believed to be right, not because He approved their puritanical ideals.35:19 Someone f...
  • 16:6 The Lord had compassion on Jerusalem in her helpless and undesirable condition and took care of her so she survived. The city remained as an unwanted child until, at the Lord's direction, David captured it from the Jebus...
  • 17:1-2 The Lord directed Ezekiel to present a riddle (Heb. hidah, allegory, enigmatic saying) and a parable (Heb. mashal, proverb, comparison) to his audience of Jewish exiles."It is a riddle in that its meaning needs to be e...
  • The story now reaches its climax. God revealed to Jonah how out of harmony with His own heart the prophet, though obedient, was. He contrasted Jonah's attitude with His own.Compassion (Heb. hus, concern [NIV], be sorry for [N...
  • 2:1-2 When did the Magi visit Jesus in Bethlehem?74There are several factors that point to a time about a year after Jesus' birth. First, Matthew described Jesus as a "child"(Gr. paidion, v. 11), not an "infant"(Gr. brephos, ...
  • The fourth incident and the third type of conflict concerned a sign that Jesus' critics requested.12:38 Matthew's connective again was weak. This incident was not a continuation of the preceding controversy chronologically bu...
  • This teaching responded to the request of Jesus' critics for a sign (v. 16; cf. Matt. 16:1-4). It is the second main part of His answer to these opponents.11:29-30 Luke's reference to the crowds increasing ties this verse in ...
  • Peter proceeded to clarify the nature of the church and in doing so explained the duty of Christians in the world.2:9 All the figures of the church that Peter chose here originally referred to Israel. However with Israel's re...
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