*1 Kings 10:1-13
The Queen of Sheba visits King Solomon to test his wisdom and is overwhelmed by his wealth and magnificence.
- The Queen of Sheba’s Visit:
- The Queen of Sheba hears of Solomon’s wisdom and fame and travels to Jerusalem with a great caravan of camels, laden with spices, gold, and precious stones, to test Solomon with difficult questions.
- The queen arrives at Solomon’s court and engages in a conversation with him, asking him challenging questions about various topics to assess his wisdom and discernment.
- Solomon’s Wisdom and Wealth:
- Solomon impresses the Queen of Sheba with his wisdom and understanding, answering all her questions with ease and demonstrating his insight and knowledge.
- The queen is overwhelmed by Solomon’s wisdom, declaring that the reports she had heard about him did not do justice to his greatness, and acknowledging that his wisdom surpasses what she had previously believed.
- The Queen’s Gifts to Solomon:
- The Queen of Sheba presents Solomon with a generous gift of gold, spices, and precious stones, along with a large quantity of almug wood and precious stones from Ophir.
- Solomon reciprocates by giving the queen all she desires and asks for, exceeding her expectations and demonstrating his wealth and generosity.
- The Queen’s Departure:
- After spending time in Solomon’s court and witnessing his wisdom and splendor, the Queen of Sheba returns to her own land, impressed and satisfied with her encounter with Solomon.
- She returns to Sheba with her retinue, carrying with her the memory of Solomon’s wisdom and the gifts he bestowed upon her.
In 1 Kings 10:1-13, the Queen of Sheba visits King Solomon to see if his wisdom is as great as she has heard. She finds that it is even greater and is amazed by his wealth and knowledge. This teaches us the importance of seeking wisdom and truth for ourselves rather than just relying on what others say. It also reminds us that when we live with integrity and honor God, our lives can be a testimony that inspires and blesses others. Like Solomon, we should use our gifts and knowledge to help those around us.
1 Kings 10:1-13 (WEB)
10:1 When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the LORD’s name, she came to test him with hard questions. 2 She 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. 3 Solomon answered all her questions. There wasn’t anything hidden from the king which he didn’t tell her. 4 When the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the 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. 6 She said to the king, “It was a true report that I heard in my own land of your acts and of your wisdom. 7 However, 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. 8 Happy are your men, happy are these your servants who stand continually before you, who hear your wisdom. 9 Blessed 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.” 10 She 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.11 The fleet of Hiram that brought gold from Ophir also brought in from Ophir great quantities of almug trees and precious stones. 12 The 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.13 King 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.