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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 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 Saviour calls her the queen of the south, for Sheba lay south of Canaan. The common opinion is that it was in Africa; and the Christians in Ethiopia, to this day, are confident that she came from their country, and that Candace was her successor, who is mentioned Acts 8:27. But it is more probable that she came from the south part of Arabia the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 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: with camels that bare spices ; her country abounded both with camels and spices; See Gill on Isaiah 60:6 ; see Gill on Jeremiah 6:20 , and as Pliny F6 Nat. Hist. l. 12. c. 14. 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 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 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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 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 extremity of the Red Sea, find several proofs of their opinion: 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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 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 use and delight in them to the present day. See the case of Samson and his friends, Judges 14:12 ; (note), Judges 14:14 ; (note), and the notes there. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 10:1-3

The Queen of the South. This incident is remarkable as the only one in the reign of Solomon to which reference is made in the New Testament. Solomon is twice spoken of by our Lord in His recorded discourses. In one case his royal magnificence is declared inferior to the beauty with which God has clothed the "lilies of the field." "Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these" ( Matthew 6:29 ). Art can never vie with nature. What loveliness of form or hue that human... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 10:1-13

The Queen of Sheba. Well may the journey of this Eastern queen have a triple mention in the sacred page ( 1 Kings 10:1-29 .; 2 Chronicles 9:1-31 .; St. Matthew 12:1-50 .; St. Luke 11:1-54 .), for it is almost, if not altogether, sui generis . We are so familiar with the story from our infancy that we often fail to realize its true character and proportions. A woman, a princess, an Arab queen, travels some three thousand miles in search of wisdom. We have read of long voyages... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 10:1-18

The Queen of Sheba. The suggestiveness of Solomon's intercourse with surrounding nations. His magnanimity was as remarkable as his magnificence. His broad policy stood out in striking contrast with the narrowness of some of his contemporaries and successors. It was one evidence of his divinely inspired wisdom. In some respects his enlightenment puts to shame modern diplomacy. Trace his relations with the king of Tyre and the queen of Sheba. These were not exceptionally treated by the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 10:2

And she came to Jerusalem [a great undertaking in those days. Our Lord lays stress on this long journey, ἐκ τῶν περάτων τῆς γῆς , Matthew 12:42 ; Luke 11:31 ] with a very great train [Heb. with a very heavy force or host ( חַיִל ). Thenius understands the words of an armed escort, which may well have been necessary considering the countries through which she passed, and the treasures she carried. It would also be quite in the spirit of the age that the queen should be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 10:3

And Solomon told her [ הַגִּיד is used of solving riddles in 14:13 (Bähr), and interpreting dreams Genesis 41:24 ; Daniel 5:12 ] all her questions [Heb. words]; there was not anything hid from the king, which he told her not. read more

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