Bible Commentaries
1 Kings 10

Introduction

Overview

1 Kings 10:1, The queen of Sheba admires the wisdom of Solomon; 1 Kings 10:14, Solomon’s gold; 1 Kings 10:16, His targets; 1 Kings 10:18, The throne of ivory; 1 Kings 10:21, His vessels; 1 Kings 10:24, His presents; 1 Kings 10:26, His chariots and horse; 1 Kings 10:28, His tribute.

Verse 1

am 3014, bc 990

And when: 2 Chronicles 9:1-12, Matthew 12:42, Luke 11:31

Sheba: Genesis 10:7, Genesis 10:28, Genesis 25:3, Job 6:19, Psalms 72:10, Psalms 72:15, Isaiah 60:6, Jeremiah 6:20, Ezekiel 27:22, Ezekiel 27:23, Ezekiel 38:13

heard: 1 Kings 4:31, 1 Kings 4:34

concerning: Job 28:28, Proverbs 2:3-6, John 17:3, 1 Corinthians 1:20, 1 Corinthians 1:21

prove him: Judges 14:12-14, Psalms 49:4, Proverbs 1:5, Proverbs 1:6, Matthew 13:11, Matthew 13:35, Mark 4:34

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:26 - the hard causes 1 Kings 8:41 - a stranger 1 Kings 10:3 - hid from the king 1 Chronicles 1:32 - Sheba 1 Chronicles 5:13 - Sheba 2 Chronicles 6:32 - the stranger Psalms 87:4 - Ethiopia Proverbs 3:13 - is the Isaiah 60:9 - unto Ezekiel 16:14 - thy renown Daniel 1:20 - in all Daniel 5:12 - doubts Matthew 4:24 - his fame Luke 12:27 - that Acts 8:27 - queen Hebrews 5:11 - we 2 Peter 3:16 - hard

Verse 2

a very great train: 2 Kings 5:5, 2 Kings 5:9, Isaiah 60:6-9, Acts 25:23

spices: Exodus 25:6, 2 Kings 20:13

communed: Genesis 18:33, Job 4:2, Psalms 4:4, Luke 24:15

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 8:41 - a stranger 1 Kings 10:10 - she gave 1 Kings 10:13 - all her desire 1 Chronicles 18:2 - brought gifts 2 Chronicles 6:32 - the stranger 2 Chronicles 9:1 - And when Isaiah 30:6 - beasts Isaiah 39:2 - precious things Jeremiah 6:20 - Sheba Matthew 2:11 - presented Luke 11:31 - queen

Verse 3

told her: 2 Chronicles 9:2, Proverbs 1:5, Proverbs 1:6, Proverbs 13:20, Isaiah 42:16, Matthew 13:11, John 7:17, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Colossians 2:3

questions: Heb. words

hid from the king: 1 Kings 10:1, 1 Kings 3:12, 2 Samuel 14:17, 2 Samuel 14:20, Daniel 2:20-23, Hebrews 4:12, Hebrews 4:13

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 9:3 - seen the wisdom Ezekiel 28:3 - no secret

Verse 4

Solomon's: 1 Kings 3:28, 1 Kings 4:29-31, 2 Chronicles 9:3, 2 Chronicles 9:4, Ecclesiastes 12:9, Matthew 12:42

the house: 1 Kings 6:1 - 1 Kings 7:51

Verse 5

the meat: 1 Kings 4:22, 1 Kings 4:23

attendance: Heb. standing

cupbearers: or, butlers, ascent. The original weolatho asher yaaleh baith yehowah, is rendered by the LXX and Vulgate, ךבי פחם ןכןךןץפשףים בץפןץ חם בםוצוסום ום ןיךש ץסיןץ; et holocausta, que offerebat in domo Domini, "And the burnt offerings (or holocausts) which he offered in the house of the Lord;" with which the Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic agree; and so also Luther, Und feine Brandopfer, die er in dem Hause des Herrn opferte; and this seems to be the true sense of the passage. 2 Kings 16:18, 1 Chronicles 9:18, 1 Chronicles 26:16, 2 Chronicles 23:13, Ezekiel 44:3, Ezekiel 46:2

there was no: Joshua 5:1, 2 Chronicles 9:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 40:11 - hand Genesis 42:28 - their heart 2 Kings 11:5 - the watch Jeremiah 38:14 - third Matthew 6:29 - even Mark 6:39 - General Luke 7:25 - are in

Verse 6

report: Heb. word, 2 Chronicles 9:5, 2 Chronicles 9:6, *marg.

acts: or, sayings

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 4:6 - Surely 1 Kings 4:31 - his fame

Verse 7

I believed: Isaiah 64:4, Zechariah 9:17, Mark 16:11, John 20:25-29, 1 Corinthians 2:9, 1 John 3:2

thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame: Heb. thou hast added wisdom and goodness to the fame

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 9:6 - the one half Ecclesiastes 1:16 - Lo Ecclesiastes 2:9 - General Matthew 12:42 - hear

Verse 8

happy are these: 2 Chronicles 9:7, 2 Chronicles 9:8, Proverbs 3:13, Proverbs 3:14, Proverbs 8:34, Proverbs 10:21, Proverbs 13:20, Luke 10:39-42, Luke 11:28, Luke 11:31

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 16:16 - before thee 1 Samuel 16:21 - stood before him Ecclesiastes 12:9 - he still Isaiah 11:4 - But with Daniel 1:5 - stand John 1:38 - where 1 Peter 4:14 - happy

Verse 9

Blessed: 1 Kings 5:7, Psalms 72:17-19

delighteth: Psalms 18:19, Psalms 22:8, Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 62:4

because the: Deuteronomy 7:8, 1 Chronicles 17:22, 2 Chronicles 2:11

to do: 2 Samuel 8:15, 2 Samuel 23:3, Psalms 72:2, Proverbs 8:15, Proverbs 8:16, Isaiah 9:7, Isaiah 11:4, Isaiah 11:5, Isaiah 32:1, Isaiah 32:2, Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah 23:6, Romans 13:3, Romans 13:4

Reciprocal: Numbers 14:8 - delight 2 Samuel 5:12 - his people 2 Samuel 15:26 - General 1 Kings 2:24 - set me 2 Kings 9:6 - over the people 1 Chronicles 14:2 - because 2 Chronicles 9:8 - General Isaiah 16:5 - judging Jeremiah 22:15 - and do Jeremiah 52:3 - through

Verse 10

she gave: 1 Kings 10:2, 1 Kings 9:14, Psalms 72:10, Psalms 72:15, Matthew 2:11

an hundred: According to Mr. Reynolds, equal to 843,905 10s. 4d. sterling.

spices: Genesis 43:11, Exodus 30:34

and precious: Proverbs 3:13-15, Proverbs 20:15, Revelation 21:11

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 10:25 - every man 2 Kings 20:13 - precious things 2 Chronicles 9:9 - she gave 2 Chronicles 9:24 - every man 2 Chronicles 32:23 - presents Psalms 68:29 - shall Ecclesiastes 2:8 - silver Song of Solomon 4:14 - the chief Isaiah 39:2 - precious things Jeremiah 6:20 - Sheba Revelation 18:13 - cinnamon

Verse 11

from Ophir: 1 Kings 9:27, 1 Kings 9:28, 2 Chronicles 8:18, Psalms 45:9

almug: 2 Chronicles 2:8, 2 Chronicles 9:10, 2 Chronicles 9:11, algum trees

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 1:23 - Ophir Revelation 18:12 - merchandise

Verse 12

pillars: or, rails, Heb. a prop

harps: 1 Chronicles 23:5, 1 Chronicles 25:1-31, Psalms 92:1-3, Psalms 150:3-5, Revelation 14:2, Revelation 14:3

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 9:11 - harps Revelation 18:12 - merchandise

Verse 13

all her desire: 1 Kings 10:2, 1 Kings 9:1, Psalms 20:4, Psalms 37:4, Matthew 15:28, John 14:13, John 14:14, Ephesians 3:20

which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty: Heb. which he gave her, according to the hand of king Solomon

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 9:12 - all her desire

Verse 14

am 2989-3029, bc 1015-975

was six hundred: Equal to 4,683,675 12s. 8d. sterling; which was what he got annually in bullion. See note on 1 Kings 9:28.

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 9:14 - General 1 Chronicles 22:14 - an hundred thousand 2 Chronicles 9:13 - the weight Psalms 72:15 - to him

Verse 15

all the kings: 1 Chronicles 9:24, 2 Chronicles 9:13, 2 Chronicles 9:14, Psalms 72:10, Isaiah 21:13, Galatians 4:25

governors: or, captains

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:34 - traffic Genesis 43:11 - spices 2 Kings 20:13 - precious things Isaiah 39:2 - precious things Jeremiah 25:24 - Arabia Ezekiel 27:21 - Arabia Acts 2:11 - Arabians Revelation 18:13 - cinnamon

Verse 16

two hundred: Mr. Reynolds computes that these 200 targets were worth 28,131 16s. 9d.; and that the 300 shields were worth 210,976 7s. 7d. 1 Kings 14:26-28, 2 Chronicles 9:15, 2 Chronicles 9:16, 2 Chronicles 12:9, 2 Chronicles 12:10

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:36 - beaten 1 Samuel 17:6 - target of brass 2 Samuel 8:7 - shields 1 Chronicles 18:7 - shields 2 Chronicles 1:14 - Solomon

Verse 17

in the house: 1 Kings 7:2

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:36 - beaten 2 Samuel 8:7 - shields 1 Kings 10:21 - the house 1 Kings 14:26 - the shields of gold 1 Chronicles 18:7 - shields 2 Chronicles 9:15 - two 2 Chronicles 12:9 - the shields Isaiah 22:8 - the armour

Verse 18

a great throne: 2 Chronicles 9:17-19, Psalms 45:6, Psalms 110:1, Psalms 122:5, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 1:8, Revelation 20:11

ivory: 1 Kings 10:22, 1 Kings 22:39, Psalms 45:8, Ezekiel 27:6, Amos 6:4, Revelation 18:12

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:7 - for the throne Esther 5:1 - sat Song of Solomon 7:4 - ivory

Verse 19

behind: Heb. on the hinder part thereof

stays: Heb. hands. 1 Kings 10:19

Reciprocal: Ecclesiastes 2:4 - I builded

Verse 20

lions: Genesis 49:9, Numbers 23:24, Numbers 24:9, Revelation 5:5

the like made: Heb. so made

Reciprocal: Ecclesiastes 2:4 - I builded

Verse 21

drinking: 2 Chronicles 9:20-22

the house: 1 Kings 10:17, 1 Kings 7:2

none were of silver: or, there was no silver in them

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 17:17 - neither shall he 1 Kings 9:14 - General 1 Chronicles 28:17 - the bowls Esther 1:7 - vessels of gold Job 22:24 - lay up Job 28:1 - the silver Isaiah 2:7 - land Isaiah 60:17 - brass

Verse 22

Tharshish: 1 Kings 22:48, Genesis 10:4, 2 Chronicles 9:21, 2 Chronicles 20:36, 2 Chronicles 20:37, Psalms 48:7, Psalms 72:10, Isaiah 2:16, Isaiah 23:1, Isaiah 23:6, Isaiah 23:10, Isaiah 60:9, Isaiah 66:19, Ezekiel 27:12, Jonah 1:3, Tarshish

ivory: or, elephant's teeth, 1 Kings 10:18, Amos 3:15

apes: Kophim, rather monkeys, the same as the Greek ךחצןע, ךחנןע, or ךחגןע, and Roman Cephus, which animal both Pliny and Solinus inform us was brought from Ethiopia. The same name appears in the monkeys, called KEIIIEN in the Prenestine Pavement, and in the French cep or ceb.

peacocks: Job 39:13

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 22:39 - the ivory house 2 Chronicles 8:18 - General 2 Chronicles 9:10 - brought gold Song of Solomon 7:4 - ivory Jeremiah 10:9 - Tarshish Ezekiel 27:15 - of ivory Ezekiel 27:25 - ships

Verse 23

exceeded: Mr. Reynolds, stating Solomon's income at about four times as much as his father left him, reckons that he had each year 142,242,034. 9s. 7d., each week 2,735,423 14s. 9d., and each day, 390,770 16s. 4d. 1 Kings 3:12, 1 Kings 3:13, 1 Kings 4:29-34, 2 Chronicles 9:22, 2 Chronicles 9:23, Psalms 89:27, Ephesians 3:8, Colossians 1:18, Colossians 1:19, Colossians 2:2, Colossians 2:3

Reciprocal: Proverbs 3:13 - is the Ecclesiastes 1:16 - Lo Ecclesiastes 2:9 - General Daniel 1:20 - in all

Verse 24

to: Heb. the face of

which God: 1 Kings 3:9, 1 Kings 3:12, 1 Kings 3:28, Proverbs 2:6, Daniel 1:17, Daniel 2:21, Daniel 2:23, Daniel 5:11, James 1:5

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 4:29 - God 2 Chronicles 9:22 - passed all the kings Psalms 68:29 - shall Proverbs 3:13 - is the Ecclesiastes 1:16 - Lo Ezekiel 16:14 - thy renown Daniel 1:20 - in all Matthew 12:42 - hear

Verse 25

every man: 1 Kings 10:10, Judges 3:15, 1 Samuel 10:27, 2 Samuel 8:2, 2 Samuel 8:10, 2 Chronicles 26:8, Job 42:11, Psalms 72:10, Psalms 72:15, Isaiah 36:16, Matthew 2:11

and mules: 1 Kings 1:33, 1 Kings 18:5, Genesis 36:24, Ezra 2:66, Esther 8:10, Esther 8:14, Isaiah 66:20, Ezekiel 27:14

a rate: 2 Kings 17:4, 2 Chronicles 9:24

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:11 - carry down 1 Kings 4:26 - forty thousand 2 Kings 20:13 - precious things 1 Chronicles 18:2 - brought gifts 2 Chronicles 17:5 - presents 2 Chronicles 32:23 - presents Psalms 68:29 - shall Isaiah 39:2 - precious things Revelation 18:13 - cinnamon

Verse 26

Solomon: 1 Kings 4:26, Deuteronomy 17:16, 2 Chronicles 1:14, 2 Chronicles 9:25, Isaiah 2:7

in the cities: 2 Chronicles 9:25

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 8:11 - He will take 2 Samuel 8:4 - reserved 2 Samuel 15:1 - Absalom 1 Chronicles 18:4 - an hundred chariots 2 Chronicles 8:6 - chariot cities Matthew 21:5 - sitting

Verse 27

the king: 2 Chronicles 1:15-17, 2 Chronicles 9:27, Job 22:24, Job 22:25

made: Heb. gave

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 17:5 - he had riches Job 3:15 - who filled their houses Job 27:16 - heap up Isaiah 9:10 - bricks Zechariah 9:3 - heaped Luke 19:4 - a sycamore

Verse 28

Solomon: etc. Heb. the going forth of the horses which was Solomon's

horses brought: Deuteronomy 17:16, 2 Chronicles 1:16, 2 Chronicles 1:17, 2 Chronicles 9:28, Isaiah 31:1-3, Isaiah 36:9

and linen yarn: Genesis 41:42, Proverbs 7:16, Isaiah 19:9, Ezekiel 27:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 47:17 - for horses Proverbs 31:24 - General Song of Solomon 1:9 - to a

Verse 29

for six hundred: This was the ordinary price of a chariot, as 150 shekels was that of a horse. It seems that neither horses nor chariots came out of Egypt but by means of Solomon's servants.

the kings: Joshua 1:4, 2 Kings 7:6

their means: Heb. their hand, Hosea 12:10, Malachi 1:1

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 1:16 - Solomon