1 Kings 10 summary meaning ai explained commentary

1 Kings 10 meaning explained in AI Summary

This chapter details the famous visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon, showcasing his legendary wisdom, wealth, and power.

The Queen's Arrival (1-5): Hearing of Solomon's fame and wisdom, the Queen of Sheba travels a great distance with a large caravan bearing spices, gold, and precious stones. She arrives in Jerusalem with the intention of testing Solomon's wisdom with riddles and difficult questions.

Testing Solomon's Wisdom (6-9): The Queen engages Solomon in extensive discussions, presenting him with challenging questions. Solomon answers all her inquiries with wisdom and insight, leaving her utterly impressed.

The Queen's Amazement (6-9): Overwhelmed by Solomon's wisdom, the Queen praises his God, acknowledging the blessings bestowed upon him and his people. She marvels at the magnificence of his palace, the efficiency of his court, and the abundance of his kingdom.

Exchange of Gifts (10-13): The Queen showers Solomon with lavish gifts of gold, spices, and precious stones. In return, Solomon bestows upon her gifts of even greater value, exceeding anything she could have desired.

Solomon's Wealth and Splendor (14-29): The chapter concludes by highlighting the immense wealth and power accumulated by Solomon. It describes his annual intake of gold, his elaborate ivory throne overlaid with gold, his impressive collection of chariots and horses, and his control over trade routes, making him the wealthiest and most powerful king of his time.

Overall, 1 Kings 10 portrays Solomon at the pinnacle of his reign, renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and influence. The Queen of Sheba's visit serves as a testament to his legendary status, confirming the stories of his greatness and leaving a lasting impression on her and her kingdom.

1 Kings 10 bible study ai commentary

This chapter marks the apex of Solomon's glorious reign, showcasing his divinely-given wisdom and unparalleled wealth, which draws the nations of the world to Jerusalem. The visit of the Queen of Sheba serves as a powerful external validation of God's blessing upon Israel. However, beneath the golden surface, the narrative subtly introduces the very elements—excessive gold and reliance on military might—that Deuteronomy explicitly forbids, foreshadowing Solomon's eventual downfall and the kingdom's tragic division.

1 Kings 10 context

The historical context is the early 10th century BCE, the zenith of the Israelite United Monarchy. Israel, under Solomon, controlled major international trade routes, including the "King's Highway." This strategic position facilitated immense wealth from tariffs and trade. Culturally, "wisdom" was a highly prized international commodity, and kings would often engage in contests of riddles and profound sayings to establish intellectual and political dominance. Solomon’s wisdom, being a gift from Yahweh, places Israel's God as superior to all others.

1 Kings 10:1-3

And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. And she came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he did not tell her.

In-depth-analysis

Queen of Sheba: Ruler of a wealthy kingdom in Southern Arabia (modern-day Yemen). A long and difficult journey, signifying the value she placed on wisdom.
Fame... concerning the name of the LORD: Her primary motivation was not Solomon's secular fame, but the reputation of his wisdom being explicitly linked to his God, Yahweh. This frames her visit as a spiritual inquiry.
Test him with hard questions: The Hebrew word is chidah, meaning riddles or enigmatic sayings. This was a common practice in ancient courts to gauge intelligence and insight.
All that was on her mind: Her questions went beyond mere riddles to the deep philosophical and administrative problems of a ruler.
Solomon answered all: His wisdom is shown to be comprehensive and complete, a direct fulfillment of God's promise in 1 Kings 3:12. It proves his divine endowment.

Bible references

Matt 12:42: 'The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment... for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.' (Jesus uses her as a model Gentile seeker, contrasting her with the unbelieving Israelites).
Luke 11:31: 'The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment... and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon...' (Christological fulfillment).
2 Chr 9:1-2: 'When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions... And Solomon answered all her questions...' (Parallel account).

Cross references

Prov 1:5-6 (the purpose of proverbs to understand riddles), Dan 5:12 (Daniel solving riddles), Ps 72:10 (prophecy of kings of Sheba bringing gifts).

1 Kings 10:4-9

And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land... the half was not told me... Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, to do justice and righteousness.”

In-depth-analysis

No more spirit in her: A Hebrew idiom for being completely astounded, breathless, and overwhelmed by what she witnessed.
Wisdom manifested: She saw wisdom not as an abstract concept but demonstrated in every detail: architecture (the house), administration (seating of officials), economy (food of his table), and most importantly, worship (his offerings at the temple).
The half was not told me: A powerful expression confirming that the reality of God’s blessing on Solomon far exceeded the grandest reports.
Blessed be the Lord your God: The queen rightly attributes Solomon’s success to Yahweh. Her focus shifts from the king to the King's God. She grasps the theological truth that Solomon's reign is a sign of God's covenant love ("loved Israel forever") and his purpose is to establish divine justice (mishpat) and righteousness (tsedaqah).

Bible references

Isa 60:6: 'A multitude of camels shall cover you... they shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.' (Prophetic picture of nations, including Sheba, drawn to Zion's glory).
Deut 4:6: 'Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom... in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’' (Fulfillment of the vision that Israel's obedience would be a light to the nations).

Cross references

Josh 9:9 (foreigners hearing of the Lord’s fame), Rom 2:24 (the name of God being blasphemed or glorified among Gentiles by Israel's actions), Hag 2:7 (The desire of all nations).

1 Kings 10:10-13

Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices and precious stones. Never again came such an abundance of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. ...And King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked, besides what was given her by the bounty of King Solomon. So she turned and went back to her own land with her servants.

In-depth-analysis

120 talents of gold: An immense gift. A talent was approximately 75 pounds (34 kg), making this gift nearly 9,000 pounds of gold, underscoring Sheba's wealth and esteem for Solomon's wisdom.
Spices: Southern Arabia was famous for rare spices like frankincense and myrrh. This highlights her kingdom's wealth and the preciousness of the gift.
Almugwood: (or Algumwood). A valuable, exotic wood, possibly sandalwood, used for temple pillars and musical instruments (lyres and harps). This demonstrates Solomon’s global trade network extending to distant lands like Ophir.
Reciprocity: Solomon's generosity exceeds hers ("all that she desired... besides what was given her by the bounty of King Solomon"), showcasing his own superior wealth and magnanimity, fitting for a great king.

Bible references

Matt 2:11: 'Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.' (Magi from the East bringing similar precious gifts to a greater King).
Ps 72:15: '...may gold of Sheba be given to him!' (Fulfillment of the Royal Psalm for the Davidic King).

Cross references

2 Chr 1:15 (silver and gold as common as stones), Ezek 27:22 (traders of Sheba trading in spices, precious stones, and gold).

1 Kings 10:14-17

Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold, besides that which came from the explorers and from the business of the merchants, and from all the kings of the west and from the governors of the land. King Solomon made 200 large shields of beaten gold... He also made 300 shields of beaten gold... And the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.

In-depth-analysis

666 talents of gold: This number is not accidental. It is a precise and ominous figure. While representing vast wealth, the author uses this number as a theological red flag, directly linking it to the number of the Beast in Revelation. It signifies a wealth that is worldly, excessive, and ultimately opposed to God’s ideal. It is the beginning of the "but" in Solomon's story.
Shields of beaten gold: These were not for practical warfare; they were purely for ostentatious display in his armory, "The House of the Forest of Lebanon." They symbolize a trust in wealth and splendor rather than in God.
Source of wealth: Comes from trade, tariffs, and tribute, confirming Solomon's economic dominance.

Bible references

Rev 13:18: '...calculate the number of the beast... its number is 666.' (The use of this number in Kings is a deliberate theological foreshadowing of apostasy and worldly power that mirrors the Antichrist system).
Deut 17:17: '...neither shall he greatly multiply for himself silver and gold.' (This is the first explicit violation of God's commands for a king recorded in the chapter).
1 Kgs 14:26-27: '...he took away the treasures of the house of the Lord and... all the shields of gold that Solomon had made. And King Rehoboam made in their place bronze shields...' (The glory was temporary; these symbols of pride were swiftly lost by his son).

Polemics

Many scholars affirm the author of Kings, writing with hindsight after the exile, intentionally used the number 666 to critique Solomon's reign. It serves as a powerful literary device to show the reader that this "golden age" was spiritually corrupt and contained the seeds of its own destruction. The number signifies the pinnacle of human achievement and wealth apart from humble obedience to God.

1 Kings 10:18-20

The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with the finest gold. The throne had six steps, and the throne had a round top, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests, while twelve lions stood there, one on each end of a step on the six steps. The like of it was not made in any other kingdom.

In-depth-analysis

Great ivory throne... overlaid with... gold: The ultimate symbol of royal power, opulence, and prestige. Ivory was incredibly expensive and exotic.
Lions: Lions are a symbol of royalty, power, and majesty. Specifically, the lion is the symbol of the tribe of Judah (Gen 49:9).
Twelve Lions: Representing the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing his rule over the entire unified nation.
Nothing like it: The author emphasizes its uniqueness to underscore the unparalleled grandeur of Solomon’s kingdom.

Bible references

Rev 4:2-4: 'At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven... and round the throne were twenty-four thrones...' (A contrast between Solomon's earthly throne and the far superior throne of God in heaven).
Gen 49:9: 'Judah is a lion's cub...' (Connects the lion motif to Solomon's tribe).

Cross references

Ps 110:1 (The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand”), Rev 5:5 (The Lion of the tribe of Judah).

1 Kings 10:21-25

All King Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were of silver; silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon... Once every three years the fleet of Tarshish came, bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. And the whole earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom...

In-depth-analysis

Silver... not considered as anything: A powerful hyperbole to emphasize the sheer volume of gold and the extravagant nature of his kingdom.
Fleet of Tarshish: A joint maritime venture with the Phoenician king Hiram. Tarshish was likely a distant port, possibly in Spain, symbolizing the far reach of Solomon’s commercial empire.
Cargo: Gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. Notably, these are all non-essential luxury items, highlighting a culture of opulence, not necessity.
Surpassed all kings: The narrative summarizes his supremacy in both wisdom (God's gift) and riches (a consequence of the gift and a source of temptation).
The whole earth sought... his wisdom: The chapter returns to the theme that his God-given wisdom was the true magnet attracting the world, yet the narrative is dominated by the wealth that came with it.

Bible references

2 Chr 9:20-24: (Parallel account confirming the details).
Rev 18:11–13: 'And the merchants of the earth weep... over her, since no one buys their cargoes anymore, cargoes of gold, silver, jewels, pearls...' (The luxury goods of Solomon's kingdom are echoed in the description of Babylon the Great's fall).

Cross references

Ecc 2:4-9 (Solomon's own reflection on amassing great wealth and finding it to be vanity), Prov 30:8-9 (a prayer to have neither poverty nor riches).

1 Kings 10:26-29

And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem... And Solomon's import of horses was from Egypt and Kue, and the king's traders would buy them from Kue for a price. A chariot could be imported from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver, and a horse for 150...

In-depth-analysis

Gathered chariots and horsemen: Solomon built a massive, modern army. This represents a shift in national security from trusting in the Lord (the ideal from Joshua's time) to trusting in military might.
Import... from Egypt: This is the most blatant violation of God's law for the king in this chapter. It breaks a specific, explicit command.
Middleman in arms trade: Solomon not only bought for himself but also controlled the lucrative trade of horses and chariots from Egypt and Kue (Cilicia) to the Hittite and Aramean kings. He profited from selling military hardware.

Bible references

Deut 17:16: 'But he shall not multiply horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to multiply horses... since the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall never return that way again.’’ (The clearest and most direct violation).
Isa 31:1: 'Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many... but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord!' (Isaiah's later condemnation of this very policy).
Ps 20:7: 'Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.' (This Psalm stands in stark rebuke to Solomon's actions).

Cross references

Josh 11:6-9 (God commanded Israel to hamstring captured horses, not keep them), Mic 5:10 (prophecy of God cutting off horses and destroying chariots).

1 Kings chapter 10 analysis

The Deuteronomy 17 Template: This chapter, along with the next, serves as a direct case study of how Solomon systematically violated the three prohibitions for an Israelite king laid out in Deut 17:16-17:
1. Do not multiply horses from Egypt. (1 Kgs 10:26-29) - Violation
2. Do not multiply wives. (1 Kgs 11:1-3) - Violation
3. Do not multiply silver and gold. (1 Kgs 10:14, 21, 27) - ViolationThe author of Kings intentionally structures the narrative to highlight this disobedience as the root of the kingdom's collapse.
Solomon as a Flawed Type of Christ: Solomon is the "Son of David," a king of peace (Shalom) whose God-given wisdom brings the nations (Gentiles like the Queen of Sheba) to Jerusalem. In this, he is a beautiful foreshadowing of Jesus. However, he is a failed type. Where Solomon's wisdom led to pride, wealth, and compromise, Jesus, the "greater than Solomon" (Matt 12:42), remained perfectly humble and obedient. Solomon's reign shows the best a human king can achieve under God's blessing, yet it still ends in failure, pointing to the need for a perfect, divine king.
The Seduction of Blessing: The chapter demonstrates a profound spiritual principle: God's blessings, if not stewarded with humility and obedience, can become the very source of our downfall. The wisdom, wealth, and power God gave Solomon ultimately led him away from simple trust and into self-reliance, materialism, and compromise. What began as a means to glorify God became an end in itself.

1 Kings 10 summary

The chapter showcases the zenith of Solomon's wisdom and wealth, epitomized by the visit of the astounded Queen of Sheba, who gives glory to Yahweh. This peak of Israel's "Golden Age" is immediately followed by a detailed accounting of Solomon's immense wealth (666 talents of gold) and military expansion (importing horses and chariots from Egypt), revealing his direct violations of God's commands for a king and setting the stage for his spiritual decline and the kingdom's subsequent fragmentation.

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1 Kings chapter 10 kjv

¹ And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.
² And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
³ And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not.
⁴ And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built,
⁵ And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
⁶ And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.
⁷ Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.
⁸ Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.
⁹ Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.
¹⁰ And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.
¹¹ And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones.
¹² And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the LORD, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day.
¹³ And king Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.
¹⁴ Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold,
¹⁵ Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffic of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.
¹⁶ And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of gold went to one target.
¹⁷ And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
¹⁸ Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold.
¹⁹ The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.
²⁰ And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.
²¹ And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
²² For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
²³ So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.
²⁴ And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
²⁵ And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armor, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
²⁶ And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.
²⁷ And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycamore trees that are in the vale, for abundance.
²⁸ And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
²⁹ And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means.

1 Kings chapter 10 nkjv

¹ Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions.
² She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart.
³ So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for the king that he could not explain it to her.
⁴ And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built,
⁵ the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her.
⁶ Then she said to the king: "It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom.
⁷ However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard.
⁸ Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom!
⁹ Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness."
¹⁰ Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great quantity, and precious stones. There never again came such abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
¹¹ Also, the ships of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought great quantities of almug wood and precious stones from Ophir.
¹² And the king made steps of the almug wood for the house of the LORD and for the king's house, also harps and stringed instruments for singers. There never again came such almug wood, nor has the like been seen to this day.
¹³ Now King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired, whatever she asked, besides what Solomon had given her according to the royal generosity. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.
¹⁴ The weight of gold that came to Solomon yearly was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold,
¹⁵ besides that from the traveling merchants, from the income of traders, from all the kings of Arabia, and from the governors of the country.
¹⁶ And King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield.
¹⁷ He also made three hundred shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold went into each shield. The king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
¹⁸ Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.
¹⁹ The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round at the back; there were armrests on either side of the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the armrests.
²⁰ Twelve lions stood there, one on each side of the six steps; nothing like this had been made for any other kingdom.
²¹ All King Solomon's drinking vessels were gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Not one was silver, for this was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon.
²² For the king had merchant ships at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the merchant ships came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys.
²³ So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
²⁴ Now all the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
²⁵ Each man brought his present: articles of silver and gold, garments, armor, spices, horses, and mules, at a set rate year by year.
²⁶ And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen; he had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.
²⁷ The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedar trees as abundant as the sycamores which are in the lowland.
²⁸ Also Solomon had horses imported from Egypt and Keveh; the king's merchants bought them in Keveh at the current price.
²⁹ Now a chariot that was imported from Egypt cost six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse one hundred and fifty; and thus, through their agents, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.

1 Kings chapter 10 niv

¹ When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the LORD, she came to test Solomon with hard questions.
² Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan?with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones?she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind.
³ Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her.
⁴ When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built,
⁵ the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed.
⁶ She said to the king, "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true.
⁷ But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard.
⁸ How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!
⁹ Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD's eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness."
¹⁰ And she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
¹¹ (Hiram's ships brought gold from Ophir; and from there they brought great cargoes of almugwood and precious stones.
¹² The king used the almugwood to make supports for the temple of the LORD and for the royal palace, and to make harps and lyres for the musicians. So much almugwood has never been imported or seen since that day.)
¹³ King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for, besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty. Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country.
¹⁴ The weight of the gold that Solomon received yearly was 666 talents,
¹⁵ not including the revenues from merchants and traders and from all the Arabian kings and the governors of the territories.
¹⁶ King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield.
¹⁷ He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold, with three minas of gold in each shield. The king put them in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon.
¹⁸ Then the king made a great throne covered with ivory and overlaid with fine gold.
¹⁹ The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. On both sides of the seat were armrests, with a lion standing beside each of them.
²⁰ Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like it had ever been made for any other kingdom.
²¹ All King Solomon's goblets were gold, and all the household articles in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Nothing was made of silver, because silver was considered of little value in Solomon's days.
²² The king had a fleet of trading ships at sea along with the ships of Hiram. Once every three years it returned, carrying gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons.
²³ King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth.
²⁴ The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.
²⁵ Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift?articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules.
²⁶ Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem.
²⁷ The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills.
²⁸ Solomon's horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue?the royal merchants purchased them from Kue at the current price.
²⁹ They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. They also exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and of the Arameans.

1 Kings chapter 10 esv

¹ Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions.
² She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind.
³ And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her.
⁴ And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built,
⁵ the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the LORD, there was no more breath in her.
⁶ And she said to the king, "The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom,
⁷ but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard.
⁸ Happy are your men! Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!
⁹ Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness."
¹⁰ Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices and precious stones. Never again came such an abundance of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
¹¹ Moreover, the fleet of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought from Ophir a very great amount of almug wood and precious stones.
¹² And the king made of the almug wood supports for the house of the LORD and for the king's house, also lyres and harps for the singers. No such almug wood has come or been seen to this day.
¹³ And King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked besides what was given her by the bounty of King Solomon. So she turned and went back to her own land with her servants.
¹⁴ Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold,
¹⁵ besides that which came from the explorers and from the business of the merchants, and from all the kings of the west and from the governors of the land.
¹⁶ King Solomon made 200 large shields of beaten gold; 600 shekels of gold went into each shield.
¹⁷ And he made 300 shields of beaten gold; three minas of gold went into each shield. And the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
¹⁸ The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with the finest gold.
¹⁹ The throne had six steps, and the throne had a round top, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests,
²⁰ while twelve lions stood there, one on each end of a step on the six steps. The like of it was never made in any kingdom.
²¹ All King Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were of silver; silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon.
²² For the king had a fleet of ships of Tarshish at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the fleet of ships of Tarshish used to come bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
²³ Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.
²⁴ And the whole earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind.
²⁵ Every one of them brought his present, articles of silver and gold, garments, myrrh, spices, horses, and mules, so much year by year.
²⁶ And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem.
²⁷ And the king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stone, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore of the Shephelah.
²⁸ And Solomon's import of horses was from Egypt and Kue, and the king's traders received them from Kue at a price.
²⁹ A chariot could be imported from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver and a horse for 150, and so through the king's traders they were exported to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.

1 Kings chapter 10 nlt

¹ When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame, which brought honor to the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions.
² She arrived in Jerusalem with a large group of attendants and a great caravan of camels loaded with spices, large quantities of gold, and precious jewels. When she met with Solomon, she talked with him about everything she had on her mind.
³ Solomon had answers for all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her.
⁴ When the queen of Sheba realized how very wise Solomon was, and when she saw the palace he had built,
⁵ she was overwhelmed. She was also amazed at the food on his tables, the organization of his officials and their splendid clothing, the cup-bearers, and the burnt offerings Solomon made at the Temple of the LORD.
⁶ She exclaimed to the king, "Everything I heard in my country about your achievements and wisdom is true!
⁷ I didn't believe what was said until I arrived here and saw it with my own eyes. In fact, I had not heard the half of it! Your wisdom and prosperity are far beyond what I was told.
⁸ How happy your people must be! What a privilege for your officials to stand here day after day, listening to your wisdom!
⁹ Praise the LORD your God, who delights in you and has placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD's eternal love for Israel, he has made you king so you can rule with justice and righteousness."
¹⁰ Then she gave the king a gift of 9,000 pounds of gold, great quantities of spices, and precious jewels. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
¹¹ (In addition, Hiram's ships brought gold from Ophir, and they also brought rich cargoes of red sandalwood and precious jewels.
¹² The king used the sandalwood to make railings for the Temple of the LORD and the royal palace, and to construct lyres and harps for the musicians. Never before or since has there been such a supply of sandalwood.)
¹³ King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba whatever she asked for, besides all the customary gifts he had so generously given. Then she and all her attendants returned to their own land.
¹⁴ Each year Solomon received about 25 tons of gold.
¹⁵ This did not include the additional revenue he received from merchants and traders, all the kings of Arabia, and the governors of the land.
¹⁶ King Solomon made 200 large shields of hammered gold, each weighing more than fifteen pounds.
¹⁷ He also made 300 smaller shields of hammered gold, each weighing nearly four pounds. The king placed these shields in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon.
¹⁸ Then the king made a huge throne, decorated with ivory and overlaid with fine gold.
¹⁹ The throne had six steps and a rounded back. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, and the figure of a lion stood on each side of the throne.
²⁰ There were also twelve other lions, one standing on each end of the six steps. No other throne in all the world could be compared with it!
²¹ All of King Solomon's drinking cups were solid gold, as were all the utensils in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. They were not made of silver, for silver was considered worthless in Solomon's day!
²² The king had a fleet of trading ships of Tarshish that sailed with Hiram's fleet. Once every three years the ships returned, loaded with gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
²³ So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth.
²⁴ People from every nation came to consult him and to hear the wisdom God had given him.
²⁵ Year after year everyone who visited brought him gifts of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.
²⁶ Solomon built up a huge force of chariots and horses. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses. He stationed some of them in the chariot cities and some near him in Jerusalem.
²⁷ The king made silver as plentiful in Jerusalem as stone. And valuable cedar timber was as common as the sycamore-fig trees that grow in the foothills of Judah.
²⁸ Solomon's horses were imported from Egypt and from Cilicia ; the king's traders acquired them from Cilicia at the standard price.
²⁹ At that time chariots from Egypt could be purchased for 600 pieces of silver, and horses for 150 pieces of silver. They were then exported to the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Aram.