Saba. See 3 Kings x. 1. This queen resided in Arabia or Abyssinia. (Haydock) --- Questions. They were not of a trifling nature, as she is commended by Christ. (Du Hamel)
King of the Lord. Hence the style, "By the grace of God, king of England," &c., has been adopted. Those deserve the name, who rule according to God’s will. (Worthington) --- The kings of the Jews were more properly lieutenants of God, as the government was a theocracy, chap. xiii. 8., &c.
Thyine-trees, very odoriferous. (Calmet) --- Hebrew algumim: 3 Kings almugim, as the letters are frequently transposed in Hebrew. (Du Hamel) --- Huet thinks these were citron-trees, which did not produce fruit, but were used to make costly tables, and were a species of cedar.
And many. Hebrew, "besides that which she had brought unto the king." (Protestants) It is however certain that Solomon made use of many of her presents, and therefore he returned her others in greater profusion, or, as it is expressed, 3 Kings, besides what he offered her of himself of his royal bounty. (Haydock)
Beside. Hebrew, "besides that which chapmen and merchants brought." (Protestants) The deputies appear to be the tax-gatherers, 3 Kings x. 15. (Haydock)
Pieces. In 3 Kings, we read, three pounds. --- Wood; or, "in the palace of the forest of Libanus," (3 Kings x. 17.; Calmet) as it is expressed in the Septuagint. (Tirinus)
Thousand. In 3 Kings, we read, 1400 chariots; and here Hebrew has, "4000 stables, (Calmet) or stalls for horses and chariots;" (Protestants) and the Septuagint, "4000 mares for the chariots, and 12,000 horsemen." (Haydock) --- There might be ten horses in each stable. (Du Hamel)
Verse 1
Saba. See 3 Kings x. 1. This queen resided in Arabia or Abyssinia. (Haydock) --- Questions. They were not of a trifling nature, as she is commended by Christ. (Du Hamel)
Verse 3
House; the royal palace, or rather the temple, which was much more magnificent than any thing in the East.
Verse 5
Virtues. Hebrew, "words," or of what regards thee (Calmet) and thy exploits. (Tirinus)
Verse 6
Fame. Hebrew and Septuagint, "the fame which I had heard." (Haydock)
Verse 8
King of the Lord. Hence the style, "By the grace of God, king of England," &c., has been adopted. Those deserve the name, who rule according to God’s will. (Worthington) --- The kings of the Jews were more properly lieutenants of God, as the government was a theocracy, chap. xiii. 8., &c.
Verse 10
Thyine-trees, very odoriferous. (Calmet) --- Hebrew algumim: 3 Kings almugim, as the letters are frequently transposed in Hebrew. (Du Hamel) --- Huet thinks these were citron-trees, which did not produce fruit, but were used to make costly tables, and were a species of cedar.
Verse 11
Stairs. Hebrew, "hands," (Du Hamel) or banisters, from the palace to the temple. (Junius)
Verse 12
And many. Hebrew, "besides that which she had brought unto the king." (Protestants) It is however certain that Solomon made use of many of her presents, and therefore he returned her others in greater profusion, or, as it is expressed, 3 Kings, besides what he offered her of himself of his royal bounty. (Haydock)
Verse 13
Gold, each worth 5475l. (Arbuthnot) so that this part of the revenue alone would amount to 3,646,350l. sterling, annually. (Haydock)
Verse 14
Beside. Hebrew, "besides that which chapmen and merchants brought." (Protestants) The deputies appear to be the tax-gatherers, 3 Kings x. 15. (Haydock)
Verse 16
Pieces. In 3 Kings, we read, three pounds. --- Wood; or, "in the palace of the forest of Libanus," (3 Kings x. 17.; Calmet) as it is expressed in the Septuagint. (Tirinus)
Verse 18
CHAPTER IX.
Arms. Protestants, "stays." (Haydock) --- Hebrew in 3 Kings seems clearer and more correct. (Calmet)
Verse 20
Days. We sometimes find the figure, hyperbole, used in Scripture for things unusual, chap. i. 16. (Worthington)
Verse 21
Tharsis. Any distant place was so called. (Tirinus)
Verse 25
Thousand. In 3 Kings, we read, 1400 chariots; and here Hebrew has, "4000 stables, (Calmet) or stalls for horses and chariots;" (Protestants) and the Septuagint, "4000 mares for the chariots, and 12,000 horsemen." (Haydock) --- There might be ten horses in each stable. (Du Hamel)
Verse 29
Seer. The works of these three are not extant. (Menochius) --- The fall of Solomon is recorded, 3 Kings xi. (Worthington)