1 Kings 10:1-29
Q.1. Why did the Queen of Sheba visit Solomon? What impact did Solomon make on her? – (1 Kgs.10:1-13)
The Queen of Sheba had heard reports about the wisdom and splendour of Solomon, so she decided to visit him herself – when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with difficult questions (1Kgs.10:1). She shared freely from her heart and Solomon was able to explain all she asked. She was overwhelmed and said – 6 … It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. 7 Nevertheless I did not believe the reports, until I came and my eyes had seen it. And behold, the half had not been told to me. You exceed in wisdom and prosperity the report which I heard (1 Kgs.10:6-7). The Queen of Sheba lavished the bounties of her land on King Solomon. He had the joy of pointing her to the God of Israel, and she responded – Blessed be the Lord your God who delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel; because the Lord loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness (1Kgs.10:9). Jesus described her as the Queen of the South (Lk.11:31).
Q.2. What did Solomon do with the Almug trees? How important was worship to Solomon? – (1 Kgs.10:11-12)
Music and worship were introduced by David, and then featured in the lives of all the great kings of Judah after him. Besides using Almug wood to make the supporting columns for his buildings including the temple, Solomon also used it for making musical instruments such as lyres and harps, which were used to accompany the singers during worship. (1 Kgs.10:11-12 c.f. 1 Kgs.9:25; 1 Chron.25:1-8).
Q.3. How great did Solomon become? What drew people to him? – (1 Kgs.10:14-29)
God had promised to give to Solomon wisdom and wealth, far greater than that of all the kingdoms around him (c.f. 1 Kgs.3:9-13). The opulence and beauty of his buildings and his zoological gardens are impossible to imagine (c.f. 1 Kgs.6:2-10; 7:1-12). He made two hundred large shields of beaten gold and three hundred smaller ones (1 Kgs.10:14-17). His great throne was crafted from ivory, overladen with gold, with six steps featuring twelve lions. His drinking vessels were made of pure gold (1 Kgs.10:18-21). He traded extensively by land and sea and built the greatest empire in the world at that time (1 Kgs.10:22, 26-29 c.f. 1 Kgs,4:21-24). Also, there was something magnetic about Solomon himself, as – 23Â King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. 24Â All the earth was seeking the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom which God had put in his heart (1 Kgs.10:23-24). God was true to His word (c.f. 1 Kgs.10-13).