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Text -- 1 Kings 10:1-8 (NET)

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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!
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:
 · Jerusalem the capital city of Israel,a town; the capital of Israel near the southern border of Benjamin
 · Sheba son of Raamah son of Cush son of Ham son of Noah,son of Joktan of Shem,son of Jokshan son of Abraham and Keturah,a town that belonged to the tribe of Simeon,son of Bichri (Benjamin) who led a revolt against David,a country in southern Arabia whose queen visited Solomon (OS),son of Abihail; a founding father of one of the clans of Gad
 · Solomon the tenth son of David; the father of Rehoboam; an ancestor of Jesus; the third king of Israel.,son of David and Bath-Sheba; successor of King David


Dictionary Themes and Topics: Women | TEMPLE, A1 | Stones, Precious | Solomon | Sheba | Rulers | Queen | QUESTION | QUEEN OF SHEBA | PROVERBS, THE BOOK OF | Hiss | HARD; HARDINESS; HARDDINESS; HARDLY | GOVERNMENT | GAMES | FAME | Cup-bearer | Camel | Butler | BALSAM | ASCENT | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable , Guzik

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: 1Ki 10:1 - -- Of that part of Arabia, called Shabaea, which was at great distance from Jerusalem, bordering upon the Southern Sea; for there, much more than in Ethi...

Of that part of Arabia, called Shabaea, which was at great distance from Jerusalem, bordering upon the Southern Sea; for there, much more than in Ethiopia, were the commodities which she brought, 1Ki 10:2, 1Ki 10:10.

Wesley: 1Ki 10:1 - -- That is, concerning God; the name of God being often put for God; concerning his deep knowledge in the things of God. For it is very probable she had,...

That is, concerning God; the name of God being often put for God; concerning his deep knowledge in the things of God. For it is very probable she had, as had divers other Heathens, some knowledge of the true God, and an earnest desire to know more concerning him.

Wesley: 1Ki 10:1 - -- Concerning natural, and civil, and especially, Divine things.

Concerning natural, and civil, and especially, Divine things.

Wesley: 1Ki 10:2 - -- Of all the doubts and difficulties wherewith her mind was perplexed.

Of all the doubts and difficulties wherewith her mind was perplexed.

Wesley: 1Ki 10:4 - -- Or, the houses, the temple and the king's house, in both which there were evidences of singular wisdom.

Or, the houses, the temple and the king's house, in both which there were evidences of singular wisdom.

Wesley: 1Ki 10:5 - -- The order and manner in which his courtiers, or other subjects (who all were his servants in a general sense) sat down at meals, at several tables in ...

The order and manner in which his courtiers, or other subjects (who all were his servants in a general sense) sat down at meals, at several tables in his court.

Wesley: 1Ki 10:5 - -- Upon the king, both at his table, and in his court; and when he went abroad to the temple or other places.

Upon the king, both at his table, and in his court; and when he went abroad to the temple or other places.

Wesley: 1Ki 10:5 - -- Both the costliness of it, and especially the agreeableness of it to their several places and offices.

Both the costliness of it, and especially the agreeableness of it to their several places and offices.

Wesley: 1Ki 10:5 - -- From his own palace. See 2Ki 16:18, but the ancients, and some others, translate the words thus, and the burnt-offerings which he offered up in the ho...

From his own palace. See 2Ki 16:18, but the ancients, and some others, translate the words thus, and the burnt-offerings which he offered up in the house of the Lord; under which, is the chief, all other sacrifices are understood: when she saw the manner of his offering sacrifices to the Lord; which doubtless she would not neglect to see; and in the ordering of which she might discern many characters of excellent wisdom, especially when she had so excellent an interpreter as Solomon was, to inform her of the reasons of all the circumstances of that service.

Wesley: 1Ki 10:5 - -- She was astonished, and could scarcely determine whether she really saw these things, or whether it was only a pleasant dream.

She was astonished, and could scarcely determine whether she really saw these things, or whether it was only a pleasant dream.

Wesley: 1Ki 10:8 - -- _With much more reason may we say this of Christ's servants: Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be always praising thee.

_With much more reason may we say this of Christ's servants: Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be always praising thee.

JFB: 1Ki 10:1 - -- Some think her country was the Sabean kingdom of Yemen, of which the capital was Saba, in Arabia-Felix; others, that it was in African Ethiopia, that ...

Some think her country was the Sabean kingdom of Yemen, of which the capital was Saba, in Arabia-Felix; others, that it was in African Ethiopia, that is, Abyssinia, towards the south of the Red Sea. The opinions preponderate in favor of the former. This view harmonizes with the language of our Lord, as Yemen means "South"; and this country, extending to the shores of the Indian ocean, might in ancient times be considered "the uttermost parts of the earth."

JFB: 1Ki 10:1 - -- Doubtless by the Ophir fleet.

Doubtless by the Ophir fleet.

JFB: 1Ki 10:1 - -- Meaning either his great knowledge of God, or the extraordinary things which God had done for him.

Meaning either his great knowledge of God, or the extraordinary things which God had done for him.

JFB: 1Ki 10:1 - -- Enigmas or riddles. The Orientals delight in this species of intellectual exercise and test wisdom by the power and readiness to solve them.

Enigmas or riddles. The Orientals delight in this species of intellectual exercise and test wisdom by the power and readiness to solve them.

JFB: 1Ki 10:2 - -- A long train of those beasts of burden forms the common way of travelling in Arabia; and the presents specified consist of the native produce of that ...

A long train of those beasts of burden forms the common way of travelling in Arabia; and the presents specified consist of the native produce of that country. Of course, a royal equipage would be larger and more imposing than an ordinary caravan.

JFB: 1Ki 10:6 - -- The proofs she obtained of Solomon's wisdom--not from his conversation only, but also from his works; the splendor of his palace; the economy of his k...

The proofs she obtained of Solomon's wisdom--not from his conversation only, but also from his works; the splendor of his palace; the economy of his kitchen and table; the order of his court; the gradations and gorgeous costume of his servants; above all, the arched viaduct that led from his palace to the temple (2Ki 16:18), and the remains of which have been recently discovered [ROBINSON]--overwhelmed her with astonishment. [See on 2Ch 9:4.]

Clarke: 1Ki 10:1 - -- When the queen of Sheba heard - As our Lord calls her queen of the south, (Mat 12:42), it is likely the name should be written Saba, Azab, or Azaba,...

When the queen of Sheba heard - As our Lord calls her queen of the south, (Mat 12:42), it is likely the name should be written Saba, Azab, or Azaba, all of which signify the south. She is called Balkis by the Arabians, but by the Abyssinians Maqueda. See the account at the end of this chapter, 1Ki 10:29 (note)

Clarke: 1Ki 10:1 - -- With hard questions - בחידות bechidoth ; Septuagint, εν αινιγμασι, riddles. With parables and riddles, says the Arabic.

With hard questions - בחידות bechidoth ; Septuagint, εν αινιγμασι, riddles. With parables and riddles, says the Arabic.

Clarke: 1Ki 10:2 - -- She came to Jerusalem with - spices, etc. - Those who contend that she was queen of the Sabaeans, a people of Arabia Felix, towards the southern ext...

She came to Jerusalem with - spices, etc. - Those who contend that she was queen of the Sabaeans, a people of Arabia Felix, towards the southern extremity of the Red Sea, find several proofs of their opinion

1.    That the Sabaeans abounded in riches and spices

India mittit ebur, molles sua thura Sabaei

"India furnishes ivory, and the effeminate Sabaeans their frankincense.

Virg. Geor. i., ver. 57

And again: -

Divisae arboribus patriae: sola India nigru

Fert ebenum; solis est thurea virga Sabaeis

Geor. ii., ver. 116

All sorts of trees their several countries know

Black ebon only will in India grow

And odorous frankincense on the Sabaean bough

Dryden

- Ubi templum illi centumque Sabaeo Thure calent arae

Where to her fame a hundred altars rise

And pour Sabaean odours to the skies

Pliny (Hist. Nat. lib. xii., c. 17) observes

Non alia ligni genera in usu sunt quam odorata

cibosque Sabaei coquunt thuris ligno; alii myrrhae

"The Sabaeans use odorous wood only, and even use the incense tree and myrrh to cook their victuals.

2.    All ancient authors speak, not only of their odoriferous woods, but of their rich gold and silver mines, and of their precious stones. See Pliny, Hist. Nat. lib. xxxvii., c. 6, etc

3.    It is also well known that the Sabaeans had queens for their sovereigns, and not kings. So Claudian, in Eutrop. lib. i

Medis levibusque Sabaeis Imperat hic sexus

reginarumque sub armis Barbariae pars magna jacet

By this is meant, says Mr. Bruce, the country between the tropic and mountains of Abyssinia, the country of shepherds, from berber, a shepherd. And he contends that these Sabaeans were a distinct people from the Ethiopians and the Arabs, and that Saba was a distinct state.

Clarke: 1Ki 10:3 - -- Solomon told her all her questions - Riddles, problems, fables, apologues, etc., formed the principal part of the wisdom of the East; indeed they us...

Solomon told her all her questions - Riddles, problems, fables, apologues, etc., formed the principal part of the wisdom of the East; indeed they use and delight in them to the present day. See the case of Samson and his friends, Jdg 14:12 (note), Jdg 14:14 (note), and the notes there.

Clarke: 1Ki 10:4 - -- Had seen all Solomon’ s wisdom - By the answers which he gave to her subtle questions

Had seen all Solomon’ s wisdom - By the answers which he gave to her subtle questions

Clarke: 1Ki 10:4 - -- And the house that he had built - Most probably his own house.

And the house that he had built - Most probably his own house.

Clarke: 1Ki 10:5 - -- The meat of his table - The immense supply of all kinds of food daily necessary for the many thousands which were fed at and from his table. See 1Ki...

The meat of his table - The immense supply of all kinds of food daily necessary for the many thousands which were fed at and from his table. See 1Ki 4:22-23 (note)

Clarke: 1Ki 10:5 - -- And the sitting of his servants - The various orders and distinctions of his officers

And the sitting of his servants - The various orders and distinctions of his officers

Clarke: 1Ki 10:5 - -- The attendance of his ministers - See the account of these and their attendance, 1Ki 4:1, etc

The attendance of his ministers - See the account of these and their attendance, 1Ki 4:1, etc

Clarke: 1Ki 10:5 - -- And their apparel - The peculiarity of their robes, and their splendor and costliness

And their apparel - The peculiarity of their robes, and their splendor and costliness

Clarke: 1Ki 10:5 - -- And his cup-bearers - The original משקיו mashkaiv may as well be applied to his beverage, or to his drinking utensils, as to his cup-bearers

And his cup-bearers - The original משקיו mashkaiv may as well be applied to his beverage, or to his drinking utensils, as to his cup-bearers

Clarke: 1Ki 10:5 - -- And his ascent by which he went up - It seems very strange that the steps to the temple should be such a separate matter of astonishment. The origin...

And his ascent by which he went up - It seems very strange that the steps to the temple should be such a separate matter of astonishment. The original is ועלתו אשר יעלה בית יהוה which all the versions have translated, And the holocausts which he offered in the house of the Lord. The Vulgate, Septuagint, Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic, all express this sense: so does the German translation of Luther, from which, in this place, we have most pitifully departed: And seine Brandopfer, die er in dem Hause des Herrn opferte ; "And his burnt-offering which he offered in the house of the Lord.

Clarke: 1Ki 10:5 - -- There was no more spirit in her - She was overpowered with astonishment; she fainted. I have seen precisely the same effect produced; a lady who was...

There was no more spirit in her - She was overpowered with astonishment; she fainted. I have seen precisely the same effect produced; a lady who was herself an artist, viewing some exquisitely finished oriental paintings, was so struck with astonishment that she twice nearly fainted, and was obliged to leave the room. What happened to the queen of Sheba is a natural and not an uncommon effect which will be produced in a delicate sensible mind at the sight of rare and extraordinary productions of art

Of the profusion of Solomon’ s sacrifices we have already had proof, 1Ki 8:63; 1Ki 9:25.

Clarke: 1Ki 10:8 - -- Happy are thy men - All these are very natural expressions from a person in her state of mind.

Happy are thy men - All these are very natural expressions from a person in her state of mind.

Defender: 1Ki 10:1 - -- Sheba was the country of the Sabaeans, a prosperous nation in southern Arabia. Modern scholars have supposed that this long journey of its queen was m...

Sheba was the country of the Sabaeans, a prosperous nation in southern Arabia. Modern scholars have supposed that this long journey of its queen was made for commercial purposes, but there is no reason to question the Biblical testimony that she came to learn more about the true God (1Ki 10:9), who had given Solomon such unique wisdom and resulting riches."

TSK: 1Ki 10:1 - -- am 3014, bc 990 And when : 2Ch 9:1-12; Mat 12:42; Luk 11:31 Sheba : Gen 10:7, Gen 10:28, Gen 25:3; Job 6:19; Psa 72:10, Psa 72:15; Isa 60:6; Jer 6:20;...

TSK: 1Ki 10:2 - -- a very great train : 2Ki 5:5, 2Ki 5:9; Isa 60:6-9; Act 25:23 spices : Exo 25:6; 2Ki 20:13 communed : Gen 18:33; Job 4:2; Psa 4:4; Luk 24:15

a very great train : 2Ki 5:5, 2Ki 5:9; Isa 60:6-9; Act 25:23

spices : Exo 25:6; 2Ki 20:13

communed : Gen 18:33; Job 4:2; Psa 4:4; Luk 24:15

TSK: 1Ki 10:3 - -- told her : 2Ch 9:2; Pro 1:5, Pro 1:6, Pro 13:20; Isa 42:16; Mat 13:11; Joh 7:17; 1Co 1:30; Col 2:3 questions : Heb. words hid from the king : 1Ki 10:1...

TSK: 1Ki 10:4 - -- Solomon’ s : 1Ki 3:28, 1Ki 4:29-31; 2Ch 9:3, 2Ch 9:4; Ecc 12:9; Mat 12:42 the house : 1Kings 6:1-7:51

Solomon’ s : 1Ki 3:28, 1Ki 4:29-31; 2Ch 9:3, 2Ch 9:4; Ecc 12:9; Mat 12:42

the house : 1Kings 6:1-7:51

TSK: 1Ki 10:5 - -- the meat : 1Ki 4:22, 1Ki 4:23 attendance : Heb. standing cupbearers : or, butlers, ascent. The original weolatho asher yaaleh baith yehowah , is...

the meat : 1Ki 4:22, 1Ki 4:23

attendance : Heb. standing

cupbearers : or, butlers, ascent. The original weolatho asher yaaleh baith yehowah , is rendered by the LXX and Vulgate, και την ολοκουτωσιν αυτου ην ανεφερεν εν οικω Κυριου ; et holocausta , que offerebat in domo Domini , ""And the burnt offerings (or holocausts) which he offered in the house of the Lord;""with which the Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic agree; and so also Luther, Und feine Brandopfer, die er in dem Hause des Herrn opferte ; and this seems to be the true sense of the passage. 2Ki 16:18; 1Ch 9:18, 1Ch 26:16; 2Ch 23:13; Eze 44:3, Eze 46:2

there was no : Jos 5:1; 2Ch 9:4

TSK: 1Ki 10:6 - -- report : Heb. word, 2Ch 9:5, 2Ch 9:6 *marg. acts : or, sayings

report : Heb. word, 2Ch 9:5, 2Ch 9:6 *marg.

acts : or, sayings

TSK: 1Ki 10:7 - -- I believed : Isa 64:4; Zec 9:17; Mar 16:11; Joh 20:25-29; 1Co 2:9; 1Jo 3:2 thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame : Heb. thou hast added wisdom ...

I believed : Isa 64:4; Zec 9:17; Mar 16:11; Joh 20:25-29; 1Co 2:9; 1Jo 3:2

thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame : Heb. thou hast added wisdom and goodness to the fame

TSK: 1Ki 10:8 - -- happy are these : 2Ch 9:7, 2Ch 9:8; Pro 3:13, Pro 3:14, Pro 8:34, Pro 10:21, Pro 13:20; Luk 10:39-42, Luk 11:28, Luk 11:31

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: 1Ki 10:1 - -- Doubt has arisen whether the "queen of Sheba"was an Ethiopian or an Arabian princess. Both countries profess to have traditions on the subject conne...

Doubt has arisen whether the "queen of Sheba"was an Ethiopian or an Arabian princess. Both countries profess to have traditions on the subject connecting the queen of Sheba with their history; and in both countries, curiously enough, government by queens was common. But the claims of Arabia decidedly preponderate. The Arabian Sheba was the great spice country of the ancient world; whereas Ethiopia furnished no spices. The Arabian Sheba was an important kingdom. Sheba in Ethiopia was a mere town, subject to Meroe. And it may be doubted whether the Cushite Sheba of Scripture Gen 10:7 is not rather to be sought on the shores of the Persian Gulf (Gen 10:7 note), from where no one supposes "the queen of Sheba"to have come. If Ophir be placed in Arabia, there will be an additional reason for regarding Sheba as in the same quarter, because then Solomon’ s trade with that place will account for his fame having reached the Sabaean princess.

"The fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord,"has been variously explained, and is confessedly very obscure. May it not mean what we should call "his religious fame,"as distinct from his artistic, literary, military, or political fame - "his fame with respect to God and the things of God"- or, in other words, "his moral and religious wisdom?"(compare 1Ki 10:6).

Hard questions - Or "riddles"Jdg 14:12, though not exactly riddles in our sense. The Orientals have always been fond of playing with words and testing each other’ s wit and intelligence by verbal puzzles of various kinds. This spirit seems to have been particularly rife in Solomon’ s time, for Josephus records other encounters with Hiram of Tyre and another Tyrian called Abdemonus.

Barnes: 1Ki 10:2 - -- See 1Ki 10:10 note.

See 1Ki 10:10 note.

Barnes: 1Ki 10:5 - -- And the meat of his table - Compare 1Ki 4:22-23. The scene here described receives very apt illustration from the Assyrian banquet scenes, wher...

And the meat of his table - Compare 1Ki 4:22-23. The scene here described receives very apt illustration from the Assyrian banquet scenes, where we have numerous guests sitting, dressed handsomely in fringed robes, with armlets upon their arms, and bracelets round their wrists, attendants standing behind them, and magnificent drinking-cups, evidently of a costly metal, in the hands of the guests, which are filled from a great wine-bowl at one end of the chamber.

And his ascent by which he went up - A rendering preferable to "the burnt-offering which he cffered in."The "ascent"was probably a private way by which the king passed from his palace on the western hill, across the ravine (Tyropoeum) and up the eastern hill, to the west side of the temple area (compare the marginal reference).

Poole: 1Ki 10:1 - -- The queen of Sheba either, first, Of Ethiopia, as that people by constant tradition from their ancestors affirm, which also was truly in the ends of...

The queen of Sheba either, first, Of Ethiopia, as that people by constant tradition from their ancestors affirm, which also was truly in the ends of the earth, whence she came, Mat 12:42 . Or rather, secondly, Of that part of Arabia called Sabaea, which was at a great distance from Jerusalem, and really in the ends of the earth, and bordering upon the southern sea; for there, much more than in Ethiopia, were the commodities which she brought, 1Ki 10:2,10 . Howsoever, this is there said for her commendation, that being a woman, and a queen, and living at great ease, and in such remote parts, she was willing to take so long and chargeable a journey to improve herself in knowledge, and that of Divine things, as is here implied.

Concerning the name of the Lord i.e. concerning the great work which he had done for the name , i.e. the honour, and service, and worship, of the Lord, as it is expressed 1Ki 8:17 , and elsewhere. Or, concerning God; the name of God being oft put for God , as hath been noted before; concerning his deep knowledge in the things of God. For it is very probable that she had, as also had divers other heathens, some knowledge of the true God, and an earnest desire to know more of the being, and nature, and worship of God, wherein the heathens were generally at a great loss, and which many of them desired and endeavoured to understand. Or, concerning the great things which God had done for him, especially in giving him such incomparable wisdom, and that in an extraordinary manner. With hard questions concerning natural, and civil, and especially concerning Divine things, about which there are, and ever where, the hardest questions.

Poole: 1Ki 10:2 - -- i.e. Of all the doubts and difficulties wherewith her mind was perplexed.

i.e. Of all the doubts and difficulties wherewith her mind was perplexed.

Poole: 1Ki 10:3 - -- All her questions Heb. all her matters ; he satisfied her in all things she desired to know. There was not any thing she asked which Solomon did not...

All her questions Heb. all her matters ; he satisfied her in all things she desired to know. There was not any thing she asked which Solomon did not both understand himself, and acquaint her with.

Poole: 1Ki 10:4 - -- Or, the houses , the singular number being put for the plural, to wit, both the temple and the king’ s house, in both which there were evidenc...

Or, the houses , the singular number being put for the plural, to wit, both the temple and the king’ s house, in both which there were evidences of singular wisdom.

Poole: 1Ki 10:5 - -- The sitting of his servants i.e. the order and manner in which his courtiers or other subjects (who all were his servants in a general sense) sat dow...

The sitting of his servants i.e. the order and manner in which his courtiers or other subjects (who all were his servants in a general sense) sat down at meals, at several tables in his court.

The attendance of his ministers to wit, upon the king, both at his table, and elsewhere in his court; and when he went abroad to the temple or other places,

Their apparel both the costliness of it:, and especially the conveniency of it to their several places and offices.

His ascent by which he went up unto the house of the Lord from his own palace. See 2Ki 16:18 . But the ancients, and some others translate the words thus, and the burnt-offerings which he offered up in the house of the Lord ; under which, as the chief, all other sacrifices are understood: when she saw the manner of his offering sacrifices to the Lord, which doubtless she would not neglect to see; and in the ordering of which she might discern really characters of excellent wisdom, especially when she had so excellent an interpreter as Solomon was to inform her of the reasons of all the circumstances of that service.

There was no more spirit in her she was astonished, and rapt up in a kind of ecstasy, and could scarce determine whether she did really see these things, or whether it was not only a pleasant dream.

Poole: 1Ki 10:7 - -- I believed not the words which the reporters used concerning him; or, the things reported; they seemed incredible, and above the perfection of huma...

I believed not the words which the reporters used concerning him; or, the things reported; they seemed incredible, and above the perfection of human nature.

Prosperity or, happiness ; or, virtue ; Heb. goodness .

Haydock: 1Ki 10:1 - -- Egypt was once very famous for horses, and the breed is much admired by travellers. The Turks will not suffer strangers to have them. The canals ma...

Egypt was once very famous for horses, and the breed is much admired by travellers. The Turks will not suffer strangers to have them. The canals made by Sesostris and other kings, caused their numbers to be diminished. (Herodotus ii. 108.) ---

Yet there were many used in the time of Ezechias, 4 Kings xviii. 24. ---

And Coa. Some take this to be the name of some unknown place, (Du Hamel) or of a town in Arabia Felix, (Ptol. vi. 17.) or "of a fair." (Tirinus) ---

Hebrew, "and from Michoe," which was the ancient name of Troglodytis, near Egypt. (Pliny, [Natural History?] vi. 29.) (Calmet) ---

Protestants, "and linen yarn; the king's merchants received the linen yarn at the price." Mokue signifies "a thread;" (Haydock) and the linen cloth of Egypt was in high estimation, Isaias xix. 9., and Ezechiel xxvii. 7. (Pliny, [Natural History?] xix. 1.) ---

Jarchi and others understand, "a string" of horses, tied together by the tails. But Bochart translates, "They brought horses for Solomon out of Egypt; and, as for the tribute, the custom-house officers of the king received it, at a certain rate," agreed upon between Solomon and the king of Egypt.

Haydock: 1Ki 10:1 - -- Saba is written with sh, to denote a part of Arabia, and with s, when Ethiopia is meant, Psalm lxxi. 10. The former is here designated, (Menochi...

Saba is written with sh, to denote a part of Arabia, and with s, when Ethiopia is meant, Psalm lxxi. 10. The former is here designated, (Menochius) being "the ends of the earth, east" of Judea, (Tacitus, Hist. v.) and lying also to the south of that country, Matthew xii. 42. This region was famous for gold, &c., and acknowledged the dominion of women: Medis levibusque Sabæis

Imperat hic sexus. (Claud. Eutrop. i.)

Grotius follows the opinion of Josephus ([Antiquities?] viii. 6.) and Origen, (hom. 2. in Canticle of Canticles.) who place the seat of this queen's empire at Meroe. The Abyssinians also pretend that their kings are descendants of Solomon, by the queen of Saba; and that Azarias, the son of Sadoc, stole the tables of the law, when he brought back his pupil from Jerusalem. (Sanctius) ---

This shews their vanity and ignorance. (Calmet) ---

Still many suppose that this queen came from their country. (Worthington, &c.) ---

Lord, who had raised Solomon to so great splendour, while, on the other hand, the king endeavoured to enhance his glory. (Haydock) ---

If we place the stop after Solomon, we may say that the queen was moved by divine grace, and attracted, like the Gabaonites, (Josue ix. 9.) to embrace the true religion; (Calmet) though she seems to have professed it already, as many others did among the Gentiles. (Haydock) ---

The Fathers look upon her as a figure of the Christian Church. (St. Hilary, Psalm cxxi.; St. Irenæus iv. 45., &c.) Barbara natione, non animo. (St. Paulin, ep. 1.) ---

Questions. Thus the ancients tried each others skill, Judges xiv. 12. See chap. iv. 30. The questions might regard natural history or religion. (Menochius)

Haydock: 1Ki 10:4 - -- House, the palace, or rather the temple, (Calmet) or both. (Menochius) --- Dion (37) and Tacitus extol the grandeur of the temple, which Titus dest...

House, the palace, or rather the temple, (Calmet) or both. (Menochius) ---

Dion (37) and Tacitus extol the grandeur of the temple, which Titus destroyed. What would they have said of that built by Solomon? (Calmet)

Haydock: 1Ki 10:5 - -- In her. She fainted away in rapture and astonishment. (Haydock) --- Thus the church of the Gentiles is taught, by the gospel, to lay aside the sp...

In her. She fainted away in rapture and astonishment. (Haydock) ---

Thus the church of the Gentiles is taught, by the gospel, to lay aside the spirit of pride, &c. (Worthington)

Gill: 1Ki 10:1 - -- And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon,.... Josephus u calls her a queen of Egypt and Ethiopia; but Sheba was in the southern part o...

And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon,.... Josephus u calls her a queen of Egypt and Ethiopia; but Sheba was in the southern part of Arabia Felix; her name with the Ethiopians is Maqueda w, and with the Arabic geographer x Belequis. Some y think that Sheba, or Saba, is not the name of a country, but of the queen herself; and that she is the same with Sabbe the sibyl mentioned by Pausanias z; but no doubt Sheba or Saba, the metropolis of Arabia Felix, as Philostorgius a calls it, is here meant; which Benjamin of Tudela says b is called the country of Al Yeman, or the south; and the name of Queen Teiman, given to this queen by an Arabic writer c, seems to be the same as the queen of the south; see Gill on Mat 12:42. The fame of Solomon's greatness and goodness, of his wealth and riches, and especially of his wisdom, had reached her ears; perhaps by means of the ambassadors of princes that had been at Solomon's court, and attended her's. According to an Ethiopic writer d it was by Tamerinus, a merchant of her's, she came to hear of him: particularly she heard of his fame

concerning the name of the Lord; his knowledge of the true God, the favour he was in with him, the excellent wisdom he had received from him, and what he had done for his honour and glory:

she came to prove him with hard questions; in things natural, civil, and divine; to try whether he had such a share of knowledge and wisdom it was said he had, she posed him with enigmas, riddles, dark and intricate sayings, to unravel and tell the meaning of. She might be an emblem of the Gentiles, seeking unto Christ, having heard of him, Isa 11:10. In Mat 12:42 she is said to come from the "uttermost parts of the earth"; wherefore some fetch her from Sumatra in the East Indies, where in an old map no other name is put but Sheba e.

Gill: 1Ki 10:2 - -- And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train,.... With many of her courtiers and principal men, as well as with a large retinue of servants: w...

And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train,.... With many of her courtiers and principal men, as well as with a large retinue of servants:

with camels that bare spices; her country abounded both with camels and spices; See Gill on Isa 60:6; see Gill on Jer 6:20, and as Pliny f observes, who says their spices used to be carried on camels, particularly frankincense, for which Sheba was famous, and is therefore called by him "regio thurifera", the frankincense country g, being to be had nowhere else; and Strabo h speaks of "cinamon, cassia", and other spices here in such plenty, that the inhabitants burnt the wood of them for fuel; and Diodorus Siculus i represents this country as exceeding odoriferous, and as having besides the above spices, balsam, myrrh, calamus, costus, and others, in such abundance that they heated their ovens with them:

and very much gold; see 1Ki 10:10, the gold of Sheba is spoken of in Psa 72:15 and Pliny k observes, that the Sabeans are exceeding rich, as in other things, so in gold; and Diodorus Siculus l and Strabo m speak of gold found here in large lumps, very pure, and of a fine colour:

and precious stones; as crystals, emeralds, beryls, and chrysolites, mentioned by Diodorus n as in those parts; and a late traveller says o, that Arabia Felix abounds with balsam, myrrh, cassia, manna, dates, gold, frankincense, and pearl:

and when she was come to Solomon; unto his palace, and admitted into his presence:

she communed with him of all that was in her heart; which she had in her mind to discourse with him about, and which she had laid up in her memory for that purpose; and some things which she had kept to herself, and had never imparted to any before, as some think; all which she had full liberty from Solomon to propound unto him.

Gill: 1Ki 10:3 - -- And Solomon told her all her questions,.... Answered them, told her the meaning of everything she inquired about, expounded her riddles, solved her ob...

And Solomon told her all her questions,.... Answered them, told her the meaning of everything she inquired about, expounded her riddles, solved her objections, and gave her satisfaction in all things she proposed unto him:

there was not anything hid from the king, which he told her not; there was not anything, though ever so abstruse and difficult, but what he understood, and gave her a clear and plain solution of.

Gill: 1Ki 10:4 - -- And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom,.... Which she perceived by his answers to things relative to all sorts of science, natural,...

And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom,.... Which she perceived by his answers to things relative to all sorts of science, natural, civil, and divine:

and the house that he had built; the singular for the plural, "house for houses"; the house of the Lord, his own house, that for Pharaoh's daughter, and the house of the forest of Lebanon; in all which there appeared not only surprising grandeur and magnificence, but exquisite art and skill; there was a great display of his wisdom in the form and contrivance of them. Josephus p says, what exceedingly surprised her, and raised her admiration, was the house of the forest of Lebanon.

Gill: 1Ki 10:5 - -- And the meat of his table,.... The various sorts of it, the different dishes, and the multitude of them; see 1Ki 4:22. and the sitting of his serva...

And the meat of his table,.... The various sorts of it, the different dishes, and the multitude of them; see 1Ki 4:22.

and the sitting of his servants; at table, either with him, or at tables by themselves, yet in his presence; for these were his nobles and courtiers, who were placed in order, according to their rank and degree, which showed wisdom:

and the attendance of his ministers; or the "standing" q of those that waited, both at the king's table, and the tables of the lords, who each had their proper place and business assigned; so that the utmost decorum was observed, and no confusion or disorder to be seen:

and their apparel: their several liveries, which were distinct according to the posts and offices in which they were, and which no doubt were rich and splendid, as well as various:

and his cup bearers; to serve him and his nobles with wine when called for; though the word signifies liquors r, and may design the various sorts of wines, and other drinkables, used by him, of which there was great plenty:

and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the Lord; the steps which he had made to go up from his palace to the temple; which were so curiously devised, and so artificially wrought, that it gave the queen, among other things, a sensible proof of his great wisdom, as well as of his religion and piety. The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, and some others, render the words, "and the burnt offerings which he offered in the house of the Lord"; and so Josephus s understood them; she was shown the service of the house of the Lord, as much as could be admitted, and perhaps was told the meaning of it; all which she saw, both in his own house, and in the house of God, and greatly surprised her:

so that there was no more spirit in her; she was quite astonished; like one in an ecstasy, she had no power for a time to speak, what she saw and heard so affected her.

Gill: 1Ki 10:6 - -- And she said to the king,.... When she was a little come to herself: it was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisd...

And she said to the king,.... When she was a little come to herself:

it was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom; which she was ready to call in question when she first heard it; at least she thought it was greatly exaggerated, but now she found it was strictly true.

Gill: 1Ki 10:7 - -- Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it,.... That is, she did not believe the whole of what was related to her; some...

Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it,.... That is, she did not believe the whole of what was related to her; somewhat of it she credited, and supposed there was something grand and extraordinary in it, or she would never have taken such a journey; but she did not believe that all could be true; she thought things were too much magnified:

and, behold, the half was not told me; of what she now saw and heard:

thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard; the inward endowments of his mind, and the outward magnificence of his court, exceeded the relation of them to her; they were beyond expression, they were so great that reporters could not hyperbolize upon them, nor even come up to them in their account of them, and in which yet men are apt to exceed.

Gill: 1Ki 10:8 - -- Happy are thy men,.... The men of Israel, that had a king over them so wise, so great, so good: happy are these thy servants, which stand continual...

Happy are thy men,.... The men of Israel, that had a king over them so wise, so great, so good:

happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom; who were now present, and to whom she pointed, and may respect not his nobles and courtiers only, but his menial servants, who had an opportunity of often hearing the wise sayings which dropped from his lips; and which no doubt were means of greatly improving their knowledge and understanding in things natural and divine.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: 1Ki 10:1 Or “riddles.”

NET Notes: 1Ki 10:2 Or “balsam oil.”

NET Notes: 1Ki 10:3 Heb “Solomon declared to her all her words; there was not a word hidden from the king which he did not declare to her.” If riddles are spe...

NET Notes: 1Ki 10:4 Heb “house.”

NET Notes: 1Ki 10:5 Heb “there was no breath still in her.”

NET Notes: 1Ki 10:6 Heb “about your words [or perhaps, “deeds”] and your wisdom.”

NET Notes: 1Ki 10:7 Heb “good.”

NET Notes: 1Ki 10:8 Heb “How happy are your men! How happy are these servants of yours, who stand before you continually, who hear your wisdom!”

Geneva Bible: 1Ki 10:1 And when the queen of ( a ) Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions. ( a ) Jose...

Geneva Bible: 1Ki 10:5 And the ( b ) meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ...

Geneva Bible: 1Ki 10:8 Happy [are] thy men, happy [are] these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, [and] that hear thy ( c ) wisdom. ( c ) But much more happy...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: 1Ki 10:1-29 - --1 The queen of Sheba admires the wisdom of Solomon.14 Solomon's gold.16 His targets.18 The throne of ivory.21 His vessels.24 His presents.26 His chari...

MHCC: 1Ki 10:1-13 - --The queen of Sheba came to Solomon to hear his wisdom, thereby to improve her own. Our Saviour mentions her inquiries after God, by Solomon, as showin...

Matthew Henry: 1Ki 10:1-13 - -- We have here an account of the visit which the queen of Sheba made to Solomon, no doubt when he was in the height of his piety and prosperity. Our S...

Keil-Delitzsch: 1Ki 10:1-13 - -- Visit of the Queen of Saba (cf. 2Ch 9:1-12). - When the fame of Solomon's great wisdom came to the ears of the queen of Saba, probably through the O...

Constable: 1Ki 1:1--11:43 - --I. THE REIGN OF SOLOMON chs. 1--11 The Holy Spirit led the writer of Kings to give an interpretation of history,...

Constable: 1Ki 10:1-29 - --3. Solomon's greatness ch. 10 This chapter summarizes with illustrations and statistics the wisd...

Constable: 1Ki 10:1-13 - --The Queen of Sheba's visit 10:1-13 The writer seems to have included this event here to ...

Guzik: 1Ki 10:1-29 - --1 Kings 10 - The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon A. The Queen's visit. 1. (1) The Queen of Sheba arrives at Jerusalem. Now when the queen of Sheba h...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: 1 Kings (Book Introduction) THE FIRST AND SECOND BOOKS OF KINGS, in the ancient copies of the Hebrew Bible, constitute one book. Various titles have been given them; in the Septu...

JFB: 1 Kings (Outline) ABISHAG CHERISHES DAVID IN HIS EXTREME AGE. (1Ki 1:1-4) ADONIJAH USURPS THE KINGDOM. (1Ki. 1:5-31) SOLOMON, BY DAVID'S APPOINTMENT, IS ANOINTED KING....

TSK: 1 Kings 10 (Chapter Introduction) Overview 1Ki 10:1, The queen of Sheba admires the wisdom of Solomon; 1Ki 10:14, Solomon’s gold; 1Ki 10:16, His targets; 1Ki 10:18, The throne of...

Poole: 1 Kings (Book Introduction) FIRST BOOK OF KINGS COMMONLY CALLED THE THIRD BOOK OF THE KINGS THE ARGUMENT THESE two Books called Of the Kings, because they treat of the kings of...

Poole: 1 Kings 10 (Chapter Introduction) KINGS CHAPTER 10 The queen of Sheba cometh to Jerusalem; admireth Solomon’ s wisdom and glory; giveth God thanks, and Solomon presents, 1Ki 10...

MHCC: 1 Kings (Book Introduction) The history now before us accounts for the affairs of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel, yet with special regard to the kingdom of God among them; for ...

MHCC: 1 Kings 10 (Chapter Introduction) (1Ki 10:1-13) The queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon. (v. 14-29) Solomon's wealth.

Matthew Henry: 1 Kings (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The First Book of Kings Many histories are books of kings and their reigns, to which the affairs of the...

Matthew Henry: 1 Kings 10 (Chapter Introduction) Still Solomon looks great, and every thing in this chapter adds to his magnificence. We read nothing indeed of his charity, of no hospitals he buil...

Constable: 1 Kings (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The Books of 1 and 2 Kings received their names because they docume...

Constable: 1 Kings (Outline) Outline I. The reign of Solomon chs. 1-11 A. Solomon's succession to David's throne 1:1-2:12...

Constable: 1 Kings 1 Kings Bibliography Aharoni, Yohanan. "The Building Activities of David and Solomon." Israel Exploration Journ...

Haydock: 1 Kings (Book Introduction) THE THIRD BOOK OF KINGS. INTRODUCTION. This and the following Book are called by the holy Fathers, The Third and Fourth Book of Kings; but b...

Gill: 1 Kings (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS This, and the following book, properly are but one book, divided into two parts, and went with the Jews under the common na...

Gill: 1 Kings 10 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 10 This chapter contains an account of the queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon to her great satisfaction, 1Ki 10:1, of S...

Advanced Commentary (Dictionaries, Hymns, Arts, Sermon Illustration, Question and Answers, etc)


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