1 Kings 10:1-9
Summary for 1Kgs 10:1-13: 10:1-13 a The queen of Sheba visited to test the accuracy of accounts concerning Solomon’s wisdom (10:1 b, 3 c, 6-7 d). She may also have sought commercial partnership (10:2 e, 10 f, 13 g). All of Solomon’s accomplishments resulted from his God-given wisdom, as the queen of Sheba testifies in the central speech of the narrative (10:6-9 h). 10:1 i The queen likely heard tales of Solomon’s wisdom and wealth because of his trading ventures to Ophir (10:11 j; see 9:26-28 k). Sheba, located in southwestern Arabia (modern Yemen), was a notably fertile commercial center. The trading enterprises of the ancient Sabeans encompassed great swaths of territory, including Syria, Africa, and India.• test ... with hard questions (literally riddles): Arabian literature is famous for its riddles and proverbs. The queen tested Solomon’s wisdom and explored perplexities of her own.
10:2 l The queen of Sheba arrived as royalty, with a large entourage and camels loaded with precious commodities. This was a high-level meeting, as demonstrated by Solomon’s generous gifts to her (10:13 m).
Summary for 1Kgs 10:3-5: 10:3-5 n The queen was satisfied with Solomon’s wisdom. He answered all of her questions well, and she was overwhelmed by the applied wisdom in his building activities, well-organized administration and staff, and commitment to his God. Jesus commended the queen’s search for truth while condemning the Pharisees and teachers of religious law who failed to recognize him—the one who was greater than Solomon (Matt 12:42 o).
Summary for 1Kgs 10:6-9: 10:6-9 p The queen’s testimony confirmed her amazement. Not only was everything she had heard true, but now that she had seen it with her own eyes, she realized that Solomon’s accomplishments had been understated. She recognized that the Lord was Solomon’s benefactor and that Solomon should steward his God-given wisdom with justice and righteousness.
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