1 Kings 10 6

1 Kings 10:6 kjv

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.

1 Kings 10:6 nkjv

Then she said to the king: "It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom.

1 Kings 10:6 niv

She said to the king, "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true.

1 Kings 10:6 esv

And she said to the king, "The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom,

1 Kings 10:6 nlt

She exclaimed to the king, "Everything I heard in my country about your achievements and wisdom is true!

1 Kings 10 verses

1 Kings 10 6 Meaning

The Queen of Sheba confirms to King Solomon that the reports she heard in her distant land concerning his accomplishments and, most notably, his wisdom, were entirely accurate and proven true upon her personal inspection. Her statement indicates that the reality she witnessed even surpassed her initial high expectations, serving as an external, unbiased validation of Solomon's exceptional reign.

1 Kings 10 6 Context

1 Kings chapter 10 recounts the extraordinary visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon in Jerusalem. She arrived having heard distant reports of his unparalleled wisdom and wealth, and came specifically to "test him with hard questions" (1 Kgs 10:1). This verse (1 Kgs 10:6) occurs immediately after the Queen has observed Solomon's wisdom firsthand through his answers to her challenging inquiries and has seen the immense splendor of his palace, the abundance of his wealth, the organization of his court, and the glory of his temple and burnt offerings (1 Kgs 10:3-5). Her statement serves as a profound admission that the reality not only met but significantly exceeded the extensive and glorious reports she had received, confirming the divinely bestowed wisdom and blessing upon Solomon and his kingdom. The chapter continues to detail the vastness of Solomon's riches and renown, painting a picture of Israel's zenith under his reign, largely attributed to God's gift of wisdom.

1 Kings 10 6 Word analysis

• And she said: Emphasizes the Queen's direct and personal testimony. Her statement is a strong verbal confirmation after witnessing everything.
• to the king: Signifies direct address to Solomon, establishing respect and acknowledging his authority and the personal nature of her validation.
• The report: Hebrew: shêmâʿ (שֵׁמַע), meaning "rumor, tidings, fame." This implies what was previously heard as information, possibly lacking full verification or credibility in her eyes until her arrival.
• was true: Hebrew: 'ĕmet (אֱמֶת), meaning "truth, faithfulness, reliability, firmness." This term conveys absolute accuracy and factual certainty. It's a foundational concept in the Bible, often referring to God's character (truthful, reliable) and His word. Here, it affirms the concrete reality matching the prior word.
• that I heard: Hebrew: shāmaʿtî (שָׁמַעְתִּי), a personal, active hearing. It shows she specifically received and remembered these reports in her own land, distinguishing it from general hearsay.
• in my own land: Indicates a significant geographical distance and the widespread nature of Solomon's fame, even reaching distant pagan kingdoms. It underscores the global impact of God's blessing on Israel through Solomon.
• about your affairs: Hebrew: debārêkā (דְּבָרֶיךָ), derived from dāḇār meaning "word, matter, thing, affair, deed." This term is broad, encompassing his administration, government, judicial decisions, wealth, architecture, and overall management of the kingdom. It implies the concrete manifestations of his wisdom.
• and your wisdom: Hebrew: vaḥochmātekā (וַחֲכְמָתֶךָ), "and your wisdom." This is distinct from his "affairs" but also the underlying source for their success. It points specifically to the intellectual and discerning capacity divinely bestowed upon him, allowing him to rule justly and manage vast enterprises. It was a key characteristic attracting the Queen's attention.

Words-group analysis:

• "The report was true that I heard": This phrase marks a pivotal moment from hearsay to validated experience. It underscores the Queen's prior skepticism, which demanded direct verification. The shift from "report" (shêmâʿ) to "true" ('ĕmet) highlights a journey from an uncertain external account to an undeniable personal confirmation.
• "about your affairs and your wisdom": This pairing indicates that while his material splendor and accomplishments ("affairs") were impressive, they were fundamentally rooted in and made possible by his "wisdom." The wisdom was not merely theoretical but had tangible, magnificent results. This subtly points to God as the source of that wisdom, which empowered such prosperity.

1 Kings 10 6 Bonus section

The Queen of Sheba's visit serves as a powerful illustration of God's plan to make His glory known among the nations. While Solomon's wisdom and wealth were unparalleled, they were primarily meant to reflect the greatness of YHWH. The fact that a pagan queen from a distant land journeyed to witness this firsthand, and then openly confessed the veracity and overwhelming nature of the reports, testifies to the pervasive reputation of the God of Israel even in antiquity. Her visit implicitly serves as a counter-narrative (polemic) against the boasts and deified kings of other ancient Near Eastern empires, whose power often stemmed from military conquest rather than divine wisdom and a benevolent rule leading to such widespread prosperity and international renown. Her acknowledgment that Solomon's greatness exceeded the reports she had heard further highlights the unique nature of God's blessing.

1 Kings 10 6 Commentary

1 Kings 10:6 encapsulates the climactic validation of Solomon's renowned wisdom and prosperity. The Queen of Sheba, representing a sophisticated Gentile nation, arrived with a degree of skepticism, having only heard distant reports. Her statement here serves as an unsolicited, highly credible, external witness to the overwhelming reality of what God had done for Solomon. Her affirmation "The report was true" transforms rumor into attested truth, powerfully underscoring that Solomon's glory was not exaggerated but real, tangible, and profound.

Crucially, the "wisdom" mentioned here is not merely human intellectual capacity but divine insight and discernment, a direct gift from God as chronicled in 1 Kings 3. This wisdom was the foundational element enabling Solomon's "affairs" to flourish—his governance, judgment, administration, and building projects. Thus, the Queen's testimony ultimately redounds to the glory of God, whose blessing and wisdom empowered Solomon to such an unparalleled degree. It shows that the fame of Israel’s God had reached the nations through His chosen king, validating the divine promises and foreshadowing the global reach of God's kingdom. This truth then becomes a standard against which other claims, and even future generations (as Christ points out in Matthew 12:42), would be measured.