King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired--whatever she asked--besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty. Then she left and returned to her own country, along with her servants. King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired—This phrase highlights Solomon's generosity and the wealth of his kingdom. The queen of Sheba's visit is a testament to Solomon's widespread fame and wisdom, as she traveled a great distance to test him with hard questions. The giving of "all she desired" suggests a fulfillment of her expectations and a recognition of Solomon's ability to meet her needs. This act of giving can be seen as a reflection of God's abundant provision, as Solomon's wisdom and wealth were gifts from God ( 1 Kings 3:12-13). whatever she asked—
The phrase indicates that Solomon was willing to grant the queen's requests, showcasing his diplomatic skills and the prosperity of his reign. This willingness to give whatever was asked can be seen as a parallel to God's promise to grant the desires of those who seek Him (Psalm 37:4). It also reflects the cultural practice of royal generosity and hospitality in the ancient Near East, where rulers would often exchange gifts to establish alliances and demonstrate their wealth and power. besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty.
This part of the verse emphasizes the extent of Solomon's generosity. The "royal bounty" refers to the wealth and resources at Solomon's disposal as king. The additional gifts beyond what she requested highlight the abundance of Solomon's kingdom and his willingness to share it. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who gives abundantly beyond what we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). The royal bounty also underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to make Solomon exceedingly prosperous (1 Kings 3:13). Then she left and returned to her own country,
The queen's departure signifies the completion of her mission and the successful diplomatic exchange between her and Solomon. Her return to her own country suggests that she was satisfied with her visit and the answers she received. This journey back can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual journey of seeking wisdom and returning enriched. The queen of Sheba's visit is later referenced by Jesus in Matthew 12:42, where He uses her example to illustrate the importance of seeking wisdom and recognizing God's work. along with her servants.
The mention of her servants indicates the queen's status and the entourage that accompanied her, which was typical for a royal visit. This detail highlights the logistical and diplomatic efforts involved in such a journey. The presence of her servants also underscores the importance of the visit, as they would have witnessed the exchange and carried the news of Solomon's wisdom and wealth back to Sheba. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of testimony and witness, as the queen's experience would have spread Solomon's fame even further. Persons / Places / Events 1. King SolomonThe son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon is renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. His reign is marked by peace and prosperity in Israel. 2. Queen of ShebaA monarch from the region of Sheba, likely located in modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia. She visited Solomon to test his wisdom with hard questions and was impressed by his wealth and the splendor of his court. 3. Royal BountyRefers to the wealth and gifts that Solomon gave to the Queen of Sheba, demonstrating his generosity and the abundance of his kingdom. 4. Return to Her Own CountryAfter receiving gifts and having her questions answered, the Queen of Sheba returned to her homeland, signifying the successful diplomatic and cultural exchange between her kingdom and Israel. Teaching Points Generosity as a Reflection of God's AbundanceSolomon's generosity to the Queen of Sheba reflects the abundance of God's blessings. As believers, we are called to be generous with what God has given us, sharing our resources and wisdom with others. The Pursuit of WisdomThe Queen of Sheba's journey to seek Solomon's wisdom underscores the importance of pursuing godly wisdom. We should seek wisdom through prayer, scripture, and godly counsel. Cultural and Diplomatic EngagementThe interaction between Solomon and the Queen of Sheba illustrates the value of engaging with different cultures and peoples. As Christians, we are called to be ambassadors of Christ, building bridges and sharing the gospel across cultural boundaries. Recognition of God's WorkThe Queen of Sheba recognized the hand of God in Solomon's wisdom and prosperity. We should be attentive to recognizing and acknowledging God's work in our lives and the lives of others. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Solomon's interaction with the Queen of Sheba teach us about the importance of generosity in our own lives? 2. How can we actively pursue wisdom in our daily walk with God, and what resources has God provided for this pursuit? 3. In what ways can we engage with people from different cultures and backgrounds to share the love and truth of Christ? 4. How can we better recognize and acknowledge God's work in our lives and the lives of those around us? 5. Reflecting on the Queen of Sheba's journey, what steps can we take to seek out and appreciate the wisdom and blessings God has placed in our lives? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 9:12This parallel account of the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon provides additional details and emphasizes the mutual exchange of gifts and wisdom. Matthew 12:42Jesus references the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon, highlighting her recognition of Solomon's wisdom and using it as a comparison to His own greater wisdom. Proverbs 3:13-15These verses extol the value of wisdom, which Solomon exemplified and which the Queen of Sheba sought. People Arabians, Aram, Hiram, Hittites, Ophir, Solomon, Tarshish, TharshishPlaces Egypt, House of the Forest of Lebanon, Jerusalem, Kue, Ophir, Sheba, Shephelah, Syria, TarshishTopics Addition, Apart, Beside, Besides, Bounty, Desire, Desired, Freely, Heart, Impulse, Memorial, Queen, Request, Requested, Retinue, Returned, Royal, Servants, Sheba, Solomon, Turneth, Whatever, WhatsoeverDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 10:13 5120 Solomon, character
5487 queen
8262 generosity, human 1 Kings 10:1-13 5745 women Library Coming to the King.
"And King Solomon gave unto the Queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty."--1 Kings x. 13. The beautiful history recorded in the chapter from which the above words are quoted is deeply instructive to those who have learned to recognise CHRIST in the Scriptures. The reference to this narrative by our LORD Himself was surely designed to draw our attention to it, and gives it an added interest. The blessings, too, received by the Queen …
J. Hudson Taylor—A Ribband of BlueA Royal Seeker after Wisdom
'And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions. 2. And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. 3. And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not. 4. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Gift
"There came no more such abundance of spices as those which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon."--1 Kings x. 10. Mechthild of Hellfde, 1277. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 "What dost thou bring me, O my Queen? Love maketh thy steps to fly." Lord, to Thee my jewel I bring, Greater than mountains high; Broader than all the earth's broad lands, Heavier than the ocean sands, And higher it is than the sky: Deeper it is than the depths of the sea, And fairer than the sun, Unreckoned, as if the stars …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series) Of the Weight of Government; and that all Manner of Adversity is to be Despised, and Prosperity Feared.
So much, then, have we briefly said, to shew how great is the weight of government, lest whosoever is unequal to sacred offices of government should dare to profane them, and through lust of pre-eminence undertake a leadership of perdition. For hence it is that James affectionately deters us, saying, Be not made many masters, my brethren (James iii. 1). Hence the Mediator between God and man Himself--He who, transcending the knowledge and understanding even of supernal spirits, reigns in heaven …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Meditations of the Blessed State of the Regenerate Man after Death.
This estate has three degrees:--1st, From the day of death to the resurrection; 2d, From the resurrection to the pronouncing of the sentence; 3d, After the sentence, which lasts eternally. As soon as ever the regenerate man hath yielded up his soul to Christ, the holy angels take her into their custody, and immediately carry her into heaven (Luke xvi. 22), and there present her before Christ, where she is crowned with a crown of righteousness and glory; not which she hath deserved by her good works, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety There is a Blessedness in Reversion
Blessed are the poor in spirit. Matthew 5:3 Having done with the occasion, I come now to the sermon itself. Blessed are the poor in spirit'. Christ does not begin his Sermon on the Mount as the Law was delivered on the mount, with commands and threatenings, the trumpet sounding, the fire flaming, the earth quaking, and the hearts of the Israelites too for fear; but our Saviour (whose lips dropped as the honeycomb') begins with promises and blessings. So sweet and ravishing was the doctrine of this …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of Joseph and Solomon.
In the Old Testament there are numerous references to the Second Coming of Christ, references both direct and typical, but in every instance it was His return to the earth which was in view. The secret coming of Christ into the air, to catch up the saints to Himself, was an event quite unknown to the Old Testament prophets, an event kept secret until revealed by God to the apostle Paul who, when writing to the Corinthians upon this particular aspect of our subject, said, "Behold, I show you a mystery …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return "Let any Man Come. "
[7] "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."--John 7:37-38. THE text which heads this paper contains one of those mighty sayings of Christ which deserve to be printed in letters of gold. All the stars in heaven are bright and beautiful; yet even a child can see that "one star differeth from another in glory" …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 10:13 NIV1 Kings 10:13 NLT1 Kings 10:13 ESV1 Kings 10:13 NASB1 Kings 10:13 KJV
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