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
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 she said to the king, It was a true report [Heb. Truth was the word ] that I heard in mine own land of thy act [or words . Same word as above and in the next verse] and of thy wisdom. 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
6. It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom—The proofs she obtained of Solomon's wisdom—not from his conversation only, but also from his works; the splendor of his palace; the economy of his kitchen and table; the order of his court; the gradations and gorgeous costume of his servants; above all, the arched viaduct that led from his palace to the temple ( :-), and the remains of which have been recently discovered [ROBINSON]—overwhelmed her with... 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
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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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