1 Kings 10:1-9

Context

Solomon Entertains a Queen

10:1 When the queen of Sheba heard about Solomon,¹ she came to challenge² him with difficult questions.³ 10:2 She arrived in Jerusalem⁴ with a great display of pomp,⁵ bringing with her camels carrying spices,⁶ 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.⁷ 10:4 When the queen of Sheba saw for herself Solomon’s extensive wisdom,⁸ the palace⁹ he had built, 10:5 the food in his banquet hall,¹⁰ his servants and attendants,¹¹ their robes, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings which he presented in the Lord’s temple, she was amazed.¹² 10:6 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your wise sayings and insight¹³ 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!¹⁴ Your wisdom and wealth¹⁵ 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!¹⁶ 10:9 May the Lord your God be praised because he favored¹⁷ 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.”¹⁸

[10:1] ¹tn Heb “the report about Solomon.” The Hebrew text also has, “to the name of the Lord,” which fits very awkwardly in the sentence. If retained, perhaps it should be translated, “because of the reputation of the Lord.” The phrase, which is omitted in the parallel passage in 2 Chr 9:1, may be an addition based on the queen’s declaration of praise to the Lord in v. 9.

[10:1] ²tn Or “test.”

[10:1] ³tn Or “riddles.”

[10:2] ⁴map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[10:2] ⁵tn Heb “with very great strength.” The Hebrew term חַיִל (khayil, “strength”) may refer here to the size of her retinue (cf. NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV) or to the great wealth she brought with her.

[10:2] ⁶tn Or “balsam oil.”

[10:3] ⁷tn 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 specifically in view (see v. 1), then one might translate, “Solomon explained to her all her riddles; there was no riddle too complex for the king.”

[10:4] ⁸tn Heb “all the wisdom of Solomon.”

[10:4] ⁹tn Heb “house.”

[10:5] ¹⁰tn Heb “the food on his table.”

[10:5] ¹¹tn Heb “the seating of his servants and the standing of his attendants.”

[10:5] ¹²tn Heb “there was no breath still in her.”

[10:6] ¹³tn Heb “about your words [or perhaps, “deeds”] and your wisdom.”

[10:7] ¹⁴tn Heb “the half was not told to me.”

[10:7] ¹⁵tn Heb “good.”

[10:8] ¹⁶tn Heb “How happy are your men! How happy are these servants of yours, who stand before you continually, who hear your wisdom!”

[10:9] ¹⁷tn Or “delighted in.”

[10:9] ¹⁸tn Heb “to do justice and righteousness.”