Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of SolomonThe Queen of Sheba is traditionally understood to be from the region of modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia. Her visit signifies the far-reaching reputation of Solomon's wisdom and wealth. This fame was not merely about Solomon's personal achievements but was intrinsically linked to his relationship with God. The fame of Solomon had spread across the ancient world, indicating the extent of Israel's influence during his reign. This reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to make Solomon renowned (
1 Kings 3:12-13).
concerning the name of the LORD
Solomon's wisdom and prosperity were attributed to his relationship with the LORD, the covenant God of Israel. The phrase underscores that Solomon's fame was not just for his own sake but was a testimony to the power and blessing of God. This aligns with the biblical theme that Israel was to be a light to the nations, showcasing the glory of God (Isaiah 49:6). The Queen of Sheba's interest in Solomon's wisdom was, therefore, an interest in the God who granted it.
she came to test him with difficult questions
The Queen's journey was not merely diplomatic but also intellectual and spiritual. In the ancient Near East, rulers often engaged in exchanges of wisdom and riddles as a way to test each other's knowledge and understanding. Her testing of Solomon with difficult questions indicates a genuine quest for truth and understanding. This encounter prefigures the New Testament account of the Magi seeking Jesus, the true wisdom of God (Matthew 2:1-12). Solomon, as a type of Christ, foreshadows the ultimate wisdom and truth found in Jesus.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Queen of ShebaA monarch from a wealthy and distant land, often associated with the region of modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia. She is known for her wisdom and curiosity, seeking to understand Solomon's wisdom and his relationship with God.
2.
SolomonThe King of Israel, renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and his relationship with God. His fame had spread far and wide, attracting the attention of foreign dignitaries like the Queen of Sheba.
3.
ShebaA kingdom believed to be located in the southern Arabian Peninsula or the Horn of Africa. It was known for its wealth, particularly in spices and gold.
4.
The LORDThe covenant name of God, Yahweh, indicating a personal and relational aspect of God with His people, which was a significant part of Solomon's fame.
5.
Difficult QuestionsThe Queen of Sheba came to test Solomon with challenging questions, indicating a desire to probe the depth of his wisdom and understanding.
Teaching Points
Pursuit of WisdomThe Queen of Sheba's journey to seek Solomon's wisdom underscores the value of pursuing godly wisdom. Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom from God, who is the source of all understanding.
Influence of a Godly ReputationSolomon's relationship with God was known far and wide, attracting others to seek the truth. Our lives should reflect our relationship with God, drawing others to Him.
Testing and Proving FaithJust as the Queen tested Solomon, our faith and understanding may be tested. We should be prepared to give an account of the hope and wisdom we have in Christ.
The Role of Curiosity in FaithThe Queen's curiosity led her to discover the truth about Solomon and his God. Healthy curiosity can lead us to deeper understanding and faith.
The Impact of God's BlessingSolomon's wisdom and wealth were a testament to God's blessing. Our lives should reflect God's blessings in a way that points others to Him.
Lists and Questions
Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 10
What defines the Ethiopian Orthodox Church?
Who was the Queen of Sheba?
In 1 Kings 10:1-13, how can we historically verify the Queen of Sheba’s existence and journey when evidence outside the Bible is scarce or disputed?
Does the account of the Queen of Sheba’s visit in 2 Chronicles 9:1–12 have any historical basis or extra-biblical support?(1)
The queen of Sheba.--The name "Sheba" must be distinguished from
Seba, or
Saba (which begins with a different Hebrew letter), (
a) The name Seba denotes a Cushite race (
Genesis 10:7), connected, in
Isaiah 43:3;
Isaiah 45:14, with Egypt and Cush, and named with Sheba ("the kings of Sheba and Seba")in the Psalm of Solomon (
Psalm 72:10). Seba is, indeed, with great probability identified (see Jos. Ant. ii. 10, 2) with the Ethiopian city and island of Meroe. It is probably from confusion between Sheba and Saba that Josephus (Ant. viii. 6, 5) represents the queen of Sheba as a "queen of Egypt and Ethiopia." (
b) The name "Sheba" is found in the ethnological lists of
Genesis 10:7, among the descendants of Cush of the Hamite race, in
Genesis 10:28, among the Semitic Joktanites, and in
Genesis 25:3, among the Abrahamic children of Keturah. The kingdom of Sheba referred to in this passage must certainly be placed in Arabia Felix, the habitation of the Joktanite race (in which the Keturahites appear to have been merged), for the Cushite Sheba is probably to be found elsewhere on the Persian Gulf. The queen of Sheba would therefore be of Semitic race, not wholly an alien from the stock of Abraham. . . .
Ver 1. -
And when the queen of Sheba [There is no good ground for doubting that by
שְׁבָא we are to understand the kingdom of Southern Arabia (Yemen). It is true that while
Genesis 25:3 (cf.
1 Chronicles 1:32) speaks of Sheba, the son of
Joktan, one of the colonists of southern Arabia,
Genesis 10:7 and
1 Chronicles 1:9 mention another Sheba, the son of
Cush, and a doubt has arisen whether this was an Arabian or an Ethiopian princess, and it is alleged that she was the latter by Josephus, who calls her "queen of Egypt and Ethopia," and by some Rabbinical writers, and in the traditions of the Abyssinian church. But the kingdoms of Sheba (
שְׁבָא) and Saba (
סְבָא) are entirely distinct (
Psalm 72:10), the latter being the name both of the capital and country of Meroe, a province of Ethopia (Joshua, Ant. 2:10. 2); while the former in like manner designates both the chief city and also the kingdom of the Sabeans (
Job 1:15). This tribe would seem to have grown richer and stronger than all the other Arabian peoples by means of its commercial enterprise, and it was especially famed for its gold, gems, and spices (
Ezekiel 27:22;
Jeremiah 6:20;
Isaiah 60:6;
Joel 3:8;
Job 6:19;
Psalm 72:10). It is noticeable that in both kingdoms government by female sovereigns was not uncommon (cf.
Acts 8:27); but it is very remarkable to find any country under the rule of a queen at this early date. (The idea that either of these lands was
always governed by queens has no real basis.) The name of this princess, according to the Koran, was
Balkis, according to Abyssinian belief,
Maqueda. Whether she was a widow or virgin is unknown]
heard [Heb.
hearing. Doubtless through the Arab traders. The record of this visit, following immediately upon the mention of the voyages (
1 Kings 9:26), is a grain of evidence in favour of locating Ophir in Arabia]
ofthe fame (Heb.
hearing; cf.
ἀκοή, which also means
the thing heard, report. Compare
ἀποκάλυψις καύχησις, etc.]
of Solomon concerning the name [Heb.
לְשְׁם,
i.e., "
in relation to, in connexion with, the name," etc. No doubt it was the house he had built
לְשֵׁם יְיָ (cf.
1 Kings 3:2;
1 Kings 5:17, 18;
1 Kings 8:17, 18, 19, 20, etc.) had made him famous. But the expression is somewhat unusual, and these words are omitted by the chronicler. Gesenius and Ewald, however, regard the
ל as instrumental, "the fame given him by the name," etc., as
Judges 7:18;
Ezekiel 12:12, etc., and Wordsworth compares the use of
ἐν in Greek. The LXX. and other versions read "the name of Solomon and the name of the Lord." But the text is on every ground to be retained. The alliteration in this verse (probably accidental) is to be noticed. There is also a slight
paronomasia]
of the Lord, she came to prove (LXX.
πειράσαι,
to test)]
him with hardquestions [Heb.
in riddles; LXX.
ἐν αἰνίγμασι. The Arabian mind has ever delighted in dark sayings, enigmas, etc., and extensive collections of these have been made by Burckhardt and others (see Keil
in loc.) According to Dius (cited in Josephus, Contra Ap. 1:17. 18) Solomon also had dialectical encounters with Hiram and with Abdemon, or, according to Menander, a younger son of Abdemon, a man of Tyre.]
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Now when the queenוּמַֽלְכַּת־(ū·mal·kaṯ-)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4436:Queen -- a queenof Shebaשְׁבָ֗א(šə·ḇā)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7614:Sheba -- a territory in soutwest Arabia, also the name of one or more descendant of Noahheardשֹׁמַ֛עַת(šō·ma·‘aṯ)Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 8085:To hear intelligentlyabout the fameשֵׁ֥מַע(šê·ma‘)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8088:Something heard, a sound, rumor, announcement, audienceof Solomonשְׁלֹמֹ֖ה(šə·lō·mōh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010:Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throneconcerning the nameלְשֵׁ֣ם(lə·šêm)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034:A nameof the LORD,יְהוָ֑ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelshe cameוַתָּבֹ֥א(wat·tā·ḇō)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, goto test himלְנַסֹּת֖וֹ(lə·nas·sō·ṯōw)Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5254:To test, to attemptwith difficult questions.בְּחִידֽוֹת׃(bə·ḥî·ḏō·wṯ)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 2420:A riddle, an enigmatic, perplexing saying or question
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OT History: 1 Kings 10:1 When the queen of Sheba heard (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) 
