1 Kings 10 1

1 Kings 10:1 kjv

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.

1 Kings 10:1 nkjv

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.

1 Kings 10:1 niv

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.

1 Kings 10:1 esv

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.

1 Kings 10:1 nlt

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.

1 Kings 10 verses

1 Kings 10 1 Meaning

First Kings chapter 10 verse 1 records the highly anticipated arrival of the Queen of Sheba to Jerusalem. Driven by reports of King Solomon's great fame and wisdom, particularly "concerning the name of the LORD," she journeys from her distant land to personally test him with difficult and profound questions. Her visit serves to affirm Solomon's divinely bestowed wisdom and wealth, attracting a powerful foreign dignitary to witness the blessings upon Israel because of the God of Israel.

1 Kings 10 1 Context

1 Kings 10:1 begins a significant narrative focusing on the visit of the Queen of Sheba, an event that underscores the global renown of King Solomon and, more profoundly, the God of Israel. Preceding this verse, 1 Kings chapters 3-9 detail Solomon's anointing by God with extraordinary wisdom (1 Ki 3:12; 4:29-31), his magnificent building projects including the Temple of the LORD and his own palace (1 Ki 6-7), and the immense wealth and peace of his kingdom (1 Ki 9). The fame "concerning the name of the LORD" directly ties back to God's promise to Solomon (1 Ki 9:1-9) that if he remained faithful, His "name" would reside in the Temple, and His blessing would continue upon the throne. The chapter immediately preceding this, 1 Kings 9, concludes with a summary of Solomon's maritime trade and wealth.

Historically, this period represents the pinnacle of Israel's unified monarchy, demonstrating God's blessing and power through His chosen king. The Queen of Sheba's visit, originating from a wealthy south Arabian kingdom, illustrates the reach of Israel's influence and the testimony of YHWH's greatness extending even to distant, powerful nations, often through economic and political channels. This narrative serves as a testament to the fulfillment of God's covenant with David and Abraham, that through Israel, all the nations of the earth would be blessed and know of Him. It subtly contrasts the true source of wisdom and power (YHWH) with any wisdom or power derived from pagan deities or human efforts alone.

1 Kings 10 1 Word analysis

• When the queen of Sheba (מַלְכַּת שְׁבָא, malkat sh'va):
  • מַלְכַּת (malkat): Feminine singular construct of "king," meaning "queen of." Her royal status is immediately highlighted, indicating a significant and influential figure.
  • שְׁבָא (sh'va): Sheba, likely referring to a wealthy kingdom in ancient South Arabia (modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia). Its renown for gold, spices, and precious stones (as detailed later in 1 Ki 10) indicates its immense commercial power. Her coming signifies the distant reach of Solomon's fame.
  • Significance: Her high status and remote origin amplify the wonder of her journey and the greatness of the fame that compelled her. She represents the "ends of the earth" mentioned by Jesus (Matt 12:42), affirming the global impact of God's glory manifested through Solomon.
• heard (וַתִּשְׁמַע, va-tish'ma):
  • From the root שָׁמַע (shama), meaning "to hear, listen, understand." This implies not just a casual hearing, but receiving significant, compelling reports that moved her to action.
  • Significance: Her "hearing" sparks curiosity and action. It emphasizes that divine truth, manifested through Solomon's wisdom, can spread beyond geographical and cultural boundaries simply through report. This "hearing" aligns with the biblical theme of faith coming by hearing (Rom 10:17).
• of the fame (שֵׁמַע, shema):
  • "Fame" here implies "report," "rumor," or "what is heard." It signifies widespread renown and reputation, echoing the idea that Solomon's wisdom and glory were universally acknowledged.
  • Significance: The word "fame" highlights the global impact of God's blessing on Solomon, attracting attention from a world leader. It's a testament to the extent God desired His glory to be known.
• of Solomon (שְׁלֹמֹה, sh'lomo):
  • Son of David, king of Israel, whose name derives from שָׁלוֹם (shalom), meaning "peace." He personifies wisdom, wealth, and peaceful reign in this period of Israelite history.
  • Significance: He is the vessel through whom God's wisdom and glory are displayed. The fame is specifically his, yet it is inextricably linked to the One who gave him the wisdom.
• concerning the name of the LORD (לְשֵׁם יְהוָה, l'shem YHWH):
  • לְשֵׁם (l'shem): "Concerning the name of," indicating that Solomon's fame was specifically attributed to or associated with YHWH. This is crucial.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH): The Tetragrammaton, the personal and covenantal name of God.
  • Significance: This phrase distinguishes Solomon's fame from mere worldly renown. It was not simply for his political acumen, military might, or economic success, but explicitly tied to the divine source of his wisdom and prosperity. The Queen came not just to see a wise king, but to understand the God behind the king. This subtly highlights God's preeminence and invites the pagan queen to recognize the true God. This implies a polemic against the polytheistic views of surrounding nations, showing the singular YHWH as the ultimate source of power and wisdom.
• she came to test him with hard questions (וַתָּבֹא לְנַסֹּתוֹ בְחִידֹת, va-tavo l'nassoto b'chidot):
  • לְנַסֹּתוֹ (l'nassoto): From the root נָסָה (nasa), "to test, try, prove." This indicates an intent to ascertain the truth of the reports, to probe the depth of his understanding. It's not a malicious test, but a sincere inquiry for validation.
  • בְחִידֹת (b'chidot): "With riddles," "puzzles," "difficult questions," or "enigmas." This implies profound and intricate inquiries, possibly philosophical, ethical, or even theological, designed to truly challenge wisdom.
  • Significance: This demonstrates her earnest desire for truth and understanding, beyond superficial curiosity. It validates the extent of Solomon's wisdom that only such profound questions would suffice to challenge it. Her coming for "riddles" highlights a royal tradition where intellectual challenges were common between monarchs.

Words-group analysis:

• "When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD...": This opening clause establishes the profound motivation for her visit. It wasn't just Solomon's fame as a great king that drew her, but his fame specifically tied to YHWH. This makes her journey a spiritual inquiry, implicitly seeking knowledge of the true God through Solomon's divinely gifted wisdom. It sets the stage for God's glory being magnified to a foreign land.
• "...she came to test him with hard questions.": This phrase characterizes her purpose as one of deep inquiry and verification. She wasn't simply a sightseer, but a discerning seeker who required profound demonstration of the wisdom she had heard about. Her intention to "test" signifies the rigorous standard by which she planned to evaluate Solomon, highlighting the genuine nature of his wisdom when it proved to answer her challenges.

1 Kings 10 1 Bonus section

The account of the Queen of Sheba is significant because it depicts the furthest known reach of Israel's fame and God's glory during Solomon's reign, confirming the extent of God's blessing. This narrative can be viewed as an early, partial fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham that "all families of the earth shall be blessed" through him (Gen 12:3). It also highlights that God's wisdom is universally attractive and can draw seekers from pagan backgrounds, underscoring that the display of divine truth is not exclusive to Israel. The meeting of two highly respected monarchs, with the Queen of Sheba coming from a realm often considered mythical in its wealth, serves as an authentic biblical testimony to the extraordinary nature of Solomon's wisdom and God's blessings.

1 Kings 10 1 Commentary

1 Kings 10:1 introduces one of the most remarkable encounters in the Old Testament, featuring the Queen of Sheba's quest for wisdom from King Solomon. Her journey was prompted not merely by his reputation for wealth or political power, but explicitly "concerning the name of the LORD," signaling a divinely-inspired curiosity that went beyond the superficial. The "name of the LORD" embodies God's very character, presence, and covenant promises. Therefore, her fame about Solomon was intertwined with the fame of the God of Israel who granted such wisdom and blessing. This indicates that Solomon's reign, particularly his God-given wisdom, served as a radiant testimony to the nations about the true God.

The "hard questions" (חִידֹת, chidot) she brought were likely complex philosophical, ethical, or administrative dilemmas, characteristic of royal challenges and a testament to her own intelligence. Her coming to "test" him suggests a rigorous, honest search for profound truths, reflecting a genuine spiritual and intellectual hunger. This visit showcases the magnetic power of divine wisdom, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural differences. It anticipates future prophecies of gentile nations being drawn to Jerusalem and the light of God's truth. Ultimately, this verse sets the stage for a grand display of God's glory through Solomon, demonstrating that the blessings bestowed upon Israel were intended to be a light to the entire world, prompting inquiries from even the most powerful and distant foreign rulers. This encounter later served as a vivid illustration for Jesus, highlighting the Queen of Sheba's earnestness in seeking wisdom as a contrast to the unbelief of His own generation (Matt 12:42).