1 Kings 10:7 kjv
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.
1 Kings 10:7 nkjv
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.
1 Kings 10:7 niv
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.
1 Kings 10:7 esv
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.
1 Kings 10:7 nlt
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.
1 Kings 10 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 3:12 | behold, I have granted your request. I have given you a wise and discerning heart... | God's direct promise of wisdom to Solomon. |
| 1 Kgs 4:29-30 | God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure... for he was wiser than all other men. | Affirmation of Solomon's exceptional wisdom. |
| 1 Kgs 4:21, 24-25 | Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines... Judah and Israel lived in safety. | Scope of Solomon's dominion and prosperity. |
| 1 Kgs 10:1-3 | When the Queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him... | Queen's motivation to seek Solomon. |
| 1 Kgs 10:4-5 | And when the Queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon... she was breathless. | Her initial reaction upon seeing everything. |
| 2 Chr 9:5-6 | "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom was true... But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me..." | Parallel account, affirming the same statement. |
| Matt 12:42 | The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. | Jesus referencing the Queen of Sheba to highlight His greater wisdom. |
| Lk 11:31 | The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them... | Parallel to Matthew, emphasizing spiritual discernment. |
| Ps 72:10-11 | May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts. All kings fall down before him. | Prophetic psalm speaking of kings bringing tribute. |
| Ps 72:15 | May he live, and may gold of Sheba be given to him! | Directly references Sheba's gold. |
| Prov 8:1-2, 10-11 | Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?... "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold..." | Emphasizes wisdom's value above material wealth. |
| Prov 2:6 | For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. | Wisdom as a divine gift, foundational to Solomon. |
| Isa 60:6 | Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord. | Prophetic vision of future gentile recognition of God's glory. |
| Rom 1:20 | For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen... | Recognizes how observable reality can point to truth beyond report. |
| Job 42:5-6 | "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." | Experience confirming truth, leading to conviction. |
| Jn 4:39 | Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." | Testimony leading to belief, similar to reports about Solomon. |
| Jn 4:41-42 | And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "We no longer believe simply because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." | Moving from report/testimony to firsthand experience/conviction. |
| 1 Cor 2:9 | However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived"—the things God has prepared for those who love him— | God's glory surpassing human imagination, mirroring Solomon's wisdom. |
| Heb 11:1 | Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. | Contrast: faith believes unseen, here sight confirmed previous reports. |
| Jer 9:23-24 | This is what the Lord says: "Let not the wise boast of their wisdom... but let them boast about this: that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord." | True boasting found in knowing God, not human wisdom. |
| Prov 3:13-16 | Blessed are those who find wisdom... For she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. Longer life is in her right hand... | The superior value and benefits of wisdom. |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault... | Wisdom is given by God, echoing Solomon's source. |
1 Kings 10 verses
1 Kings 10 7 Meaning
1 Kings 10:7 records the Queen of Sheba's profound astonishment and declaration after witnessing King Solomon's wisdom, wealth, and administration. She confesses that the widespread reports she had heard were not only true but drastically understated the reality, indicating that Solomon's wisdom and prosperity far exceeded any previous account. Her personal observation convinced her of a truth grander than what words could convey, validating the fame of God's blessing upon Solomon.
1 Kings 10 7 Context
1 Kings chapter 10 recounts the renowned visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon. Having heard widespread reports of Solomon's wisdom and great wealth, the Queen journeyed from afar to test him with hard questions. The preceding verses (1 Kgs 10:1-6) detail her arrival, the rigorous intellectual testing of Solomon, and her overwhelming impression as she witnessed his wisdom, the grandeur of his court, his opulent palace, the daily provisions, his personal attendants, and his processional staircase and burnt offerings in the Temple. Verse 7 serves as her direct, personal declaration of profound admiration, acknowledging that reality far surpassed the already impressive rumors she had heard. Historically, this event signifies the peak of Solomon's reign, showcasing God's covenant blessings upon Israel in unprecedented prosperity and international recognition due to Solomon's God-given wisdom. Culturally, wisdom was highly prized in the ancient Near East, and such a visit from a foreign dignitary cemented Solomon's reputation far beyond the borders of Israel, reflecting divine favor. The emphasis on the immense, almost unbelievable, nature of Solomon's wisdom and prosperity serves as an implicit polemic against other regional powers and their rulers, affirming Yahweh's unparalleled ability to bless His chosen king.
1 Kings 10 7 Word analysis
- But: wa- (וְ), a conjunction, indicating a contrast or transition from her prior state of mind (hearing reports) to her new conviction (seeing the reality).
- I did not believe: lo' he'emanti (לֹא הֶאֱמַנְתִּי). From the root 'mn (אָמַן), meaning "to be firm, trustworthy, believe, affirm." The negated imperfect form expresses her initial skepticism or inability to fully grasp the truth of the reports. This highlights the magnitude of what she eventually witnessed.
- the reports: haddəḇārim (הַדְּבָרִים). Literally "the words" or "the matters/affairs." Refers to the spoken accounts, rumors, or information that had reached her.
- until I came: Her deliberate and physical act of journeying. This underscores her investigative nature and the effort required for personal verification.
- and my own eyes saw it: watisʾêna ʿênay (וַתִּסֶּאנָה עֵינַי). Emphasizes direct, personal observation. The act of "seeing" is presented as the ultimate arbiter of truth, overcoming doubt derived from mere hearing. This mirrors the biblical principle of firsthand experience solidifying understanding (cf. Job 42:5).
- And behold: wəhinneh (וְהִנֵּה). An interjection drawing attention to a sudden realization or surprising discovery. It introduces the core revelation of her experience.
- not even half: ḥaṣi (חֲצִי), meaning "half." This is a strong understatement or rhetorical device to convey extreme magnitude. It signifies that the reality was far more immense, glorious, or profound than any human language could possibly describe or exaggerate.
- was told me: Implying the prior verbal accounts or common knowledge that fell vastly short of the truth.
- your wisdom: ḥokmatḵā (חָכְמָתְךָ). Wisdom, here, refers not only to intellectual acumen but also practical judgment, administrative skill, legal discernment, and deep understanding given by God (1 Kgs 3:12). It was the primary draw for the Queen and the essence of Solomon's fame.
- and prosperity: wāṭōḇ (וָטוֹב). Literally "and goodness." This encompasses a broad range of well-being, including wealth, abundance, peace, and material blessings. It signifies the tangible results of Solomon's wise rule and God's favor.
- surpass: yātartā (יָתַרְתָּ). From the root ytr (יָתַר), meaning "to be in excess, to excel, to remain over." It implies that Solomon's attributes not only met but significantly exceeded and overwhelmed all prior accounts.
- the report that I heard: Reiteration of the initial basis of her knowledge, which was now completely overshadowed by personal experience.
Words-group analysis:
- "I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes saw it: This phrase encapsulates a fundamental human experience of skepticism followed by conviction through direct observation. It highlights the power of verifiable evidence over mere hearsay and shows the Queen's pragmatic, empirical approach to truth.
- "And behold, not even half was told me: This powerful exclamation uses hyperbole to convey the overwhelming magnitude of what she encountered. It underlines that Solomon's reality was beyond human description or imagination, hinting at a divine source of such blessing.
- "your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard: This concluding statement distills her central finding: Solomon's key attributes (wisdom, prosperity) were not just accurately reported, but far greater in reality. It serves as an ultimate commendation and confirmation of his extraordinary divine endowment.
1 Kings 10 7 Bonus section
The Queen of Sheba's journey and recognition of Solomon's wisdom prefigures the coming of the Gentiles to recognize the superior wisdom and authority of Jesus Christ, who is the true embodiment of God's wisdom. The fact that she was a wealthy foreign queen who came to a "listening faith" is a significant motif in biblical theology, hinting at a universal outreach of God's plan. Her experience highlights a key biblical principle: seeing leads to believing and true comprehension, often after initial reports cause only partial understanding. The extravagance observed by the Queen also serves to prepare the reader for the later accounts of Solomon's spiritual decline, subtly contrasting God's initial magnificent provision and blessing with the eventual consequences of straying from divine commands.
1 Kings 10 7 Commentary
The Queen of Sheba's confession in 1 Kings 10:7 stands as a powerful testament to the unprecedented nature of God's blessing on Solomon, particularly concerning his divinely-granted wisdom and consequent prosperity. Her journey from initial skepticism ("I did not believe the reports") to profound awe and conviction ("not even half was told me; your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report") highlights the undeniable, overwhelming reality of Solomon's reign. This narrative emphasizes that God's works and blessings often exceed human comprehension and description, requiring firsthand encounter to truly grasp their magnitude.
Her testimony is crucial not only as an external validation of Solomon's fame but also as an acknowledgment, albeit indirect, of the source of his greatness—the Lord, whose name Solomon represented (1 Kgs 10:1). As a pagan queen from a distant land, her declaration underscores the universal reach of God's glory manifested through His chosen king and people. Her assessment, based on direct experience and rigorous examination, proves far more weighty than any prior rumor. This encounter sets a high benchmark, often referenced in the New Testament (Matt 12:42, Lk 11:31) where Jesus contrasts the Queen of Sheba's diligent search for wisdom with the hardened hearts of His contemporaries who failed to recognize one "greater than Solomon" standing among them. This verse subtly challenges believers to move beyond mere reports or secondhand knowledge of God's truth to a personal, experiential conviction that often reveals His grace and glory to be far beyond anything imaginable.