1 Kings 10:4-7

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 10:4

And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom ,.... Which she perceived by his answers to things relative to all sorts of science, natural, civil, and divine: and the house that he had built ; the singular for the plural, "house for houses"; the house of the Lord, his own house, that for Pharaoh's daughter, and the house of the forest of Lebanon; in all which there appeared not only surprising grandeur and magnificence, but exquisite art and skill; there was a great display... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 10:5

And the meat of his table ,.... The various sorts of it, the different dishes, and the multitude of them; see 1 Kings 4:22 . and the sitting of his servants ; at table, either with him, or at tables by themselves, yet in his presence; for these were his nobles and courtiers, who were placed in order, according to their rank and degree, which showed wisdom: and the attendance of his ministers ; or the "standing" F17 מעמך "statum", Tigurine version, Vatablus, Junius &... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 10:6

And she said to the king ,.... When she was a little come to herself: it was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom ; which she was ready to call in question when she first heard it; at least she thought it was greatly exaggerated, but now she found it was strictly true. 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 10:4

Had seen all Solomon ' s wisdom - By the answers which he gave to her subtle questions. And the house that he had built - Most probably his own house. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 10:5

The meat of his table - The immense supply of all kinds of food daily necessary for the many thousands which were fed at and from his table. See 1 Kings 4:22-23 ; (note). And the sitting of his servants - The various orders and distinctions of his officers. The attendance of his ministers - See the account of these and their attendance, 1 Kings 4:1 , etc. And their apparel - The peculiarity of their robes, and their splendor and costliness. ... 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 10:4

And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house he had built [ 1 Kings 10:5 compels us to understand this of the palace, not of the temple. Josephus says she was especially astonished at the house of the forest of Lebanon], read more

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