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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 10:7

Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it ,.... That is, she did not believe the whole of what was related to her; somewhat of it she credited, and supposed there was something grand and extraordinary in it, or she would never have taken such a journey; but she did not believe that all could be true; she thought things were too much magnified: and, behold, the half was not told me ; of what she now saw and heard: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the... 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 10:7

Howbeit, I believed not the words ["Fame, as it is always a blab, so ofttimes a liar" (Bp. Hall)] until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and behold, the half was not told me; thy wisdom and prosperity exceeded the fame [Heb. thou hast added wisdom and good to the report ] which I heard. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 10:7-8

1 Kings 10:7-8. I believed not the words Which were told me concerning thee: they seemed incredible, and above the perfection of human nature. Thy wisdom and prosperity Hebrew, ושׂוב , vatob, and goodness, may be intended to signify either happiness or virtue. Exceeded the fame which I heard This was remarkable, for people commonly find things to fall far short of their expectations. Happy are thy men Thy subjects, especially those that are about thy person, and minister unto... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 10:1-29

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 10:1-13

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 10:1-29

3. Solomon’s greatness ch. 10This chapter summarizes with illustrations and statistics the wisdom, acceptance, and riches with which God blessed Solomon. read more

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