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
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
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
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
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
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
1 Kings 10:2-3. She communed with him of all that was in her heart Of all the doubts and difficulties wherewith her mind was perplexed. She had liberty to propound whatsoever she desired to be resolved about. Solomon told her all her questions Answered them to her satisfaction. There was not any thing which he told her not There was nothing concerning which she inquired, however difficult, which be did not reveal to her. read more
Click image for full-size version9:26-11:43 OTHER FEATURES OF SOLOMON’S REIGNTrade, fame and wealth (9:26-10:29)Always alert in business dealings, Solomon saw the opportunity for further profits by cooperating with Hiram in trade transport. Goods from the Mediterranean were received at Hiram’s port of Tyre, taken overland to the Israelite port of Ezion-geber at the northern tip of the Red Sea, then shipped east, possibly as far as India. Since the Israelites were not a seafaring people, Solomon... read more
The Queen of Sheba’s visit 10:1-13The writer seems to have included this event here to support his claim that Solomon’s reign was so glorious that rulers came from all over the world to meet him (1 Kings 4:34; cf. 1 Kings 3:16-18). It also shows that some of Solomon’s wealth came to him as voluntary gifts from admirers. Jesus used this queen’s example to challenge His hearers to listen to God’s wisdom through someone greater than Solomon, namely, Himself (Matthew 12:42).The site of Sheba was... read more
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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