Study notes

1 Kings 10

Introducing 1 KingsWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

9:10–11:43 Section

Solomon did many things to make Israel a powerful nation. He had many cities and palaces built. He made agreements with the kings, queens and people groups around Israel. He made his army large and strong. People from many nations were amazed by him. The queen of Sheba praised the Lord for the ways God blessed Israel through Solomon.

Solomon accomplished all of this by doing several things. He required the Israelites to work for him and he made the Canaanites his slaves. He also acquired many horses and chariots to use in battles. This made his army very powerful. And he married women from other people groups. This was a common practice for rulers in his time. It was a way that leaders of people groups made agreements with one another. These agreements were about business, trading and not attacking one another.

Solomon was a very powerful king because of all the workers, horses and wives he had. But these things went against God’s rules for kings in Israel (Deuteronomy 17:14–20). They led Solomon to do evil things. He didn’t worship only God. He wasn’t faithful to the Mount Sinai covenant. Because of this, God allowed enemies to attack Israel. And David’s family line would no longer be allowed to rule over all 12 tribes.

Jeroboam was anointed by Ahijah the prophet to be king over ten of the tribes. When Solomon heard this, he didn’t turn away from his sins and repent. Instead, he acted like Saul had acted. Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam just like Saul had tried to kill David.

10:1

  • The queen probably heard about Solomon's wisdom and wealth because of his trade trips to Ophir (1 Kings 10:11; see 1 Kings 9:26–28). Sheba, in southwestern Arabia (modern Yemen), was a fertile trade center. The ancient Sabeans traded across vast areas, including Syria, Africa, and India.

  • test … with difficult questions (literally riddles): Arabian literature is known for its riddles and proverbs. The queen tested Solomon's wisdom and explored her own mysteries.

10:1–13

The queen of Sheba visited to see if the stories about Solomon’s wisdom were true (1 Kings 10:1, 3, 6–7). She might have also been interested in trade partnerships (1 Kings 10:2, 10, 13). Solomon achieved everything because of his wisdom from God, as the queen of Sheba confirms in her main speech (1 Kings 10:6–9).

10:2

The queen of Sheba came as a royal guest, with a large group and camels carrying valuable goods. This was an important meeting, shown by Solomon's generous gifts to her (1 Kings 10:13).

10:3–5

The queen was impressed by Solomon's wisdom. He answered her questions well, and she admired his wise building projects, organized administration, and dedication to his God. Jesus praised the queen for seeking truth but criticized the Pharisees and religious teachers for not recognizing him, who was greater than Solomon (Matthew 12:42).

10:6–9

The queen's testimony showed her amazement. Everything she heard was true, and seeing it herself, she realized Solomon's achievements were even greater. She understood that the Lord supported Solomon and that Solomon should use his God-given wisdom to lead with fairness and justice.

10:10–12

  • Solomon had a lot of gold during his reign. The queen's gifts added to what Solomon already had from his trade with Hiram of Tyre. He used the gold wisely (see 1 Kings 6:20–22, 28, 30, 32, 35; 7:49–51; 10:18, 21).

  • Arabian traders sold spices like frankincense and myrrh. Both were used for medicine; frankincense was also used in holy incense (Exodus 30:34–38; Leviticus 2:2), and myrrh was used for perfume and embalming the dead. Wise men from the east gave these spices and gold to Jesus (Matthew 2:1–11).

10:11

Sandalwood is a reddish-brown wood from India, prized for its fragrant essential oil. Ancient tablets from Ras Shamra and Alalakh show it was also valued for making high-quality furniture and musical instruments.

10:13

whatever she asked: Solomon, as a royal host, gave her gifts in return. Solomon and the queen of Sheba likely formed a trade agreement. Later stories from Jewish, Arabian, and Ethiopian cultures about a romance between them are not based on facts.

10:14–15

666 talents (about 25 tons): Solomon got this large amount of gold from his businesses and taxes. He also charged tolls to merchants and traders passing through his kingdom.

10:14–29

To show more of Solomon’s greatness, the writer adds to the story of the queen’s visit (1 Kings 10:1–13). The writer describes Solomon’s wise use of wealth in building his palace complex (10:14–21). The writer then tells how Solomon’s wisdom also brought wide influence through his trade and commercial dealings (10:22–29).

10:16–17

Normally, large shields were made for foot soldiers and small shields for archers. But these shields were probably used for ceremonies instead of battle.

10:18–21

Solomon got ivory by trading with Hiram. Kings in the Ancient Near East often used lion figures to show royal power and to symbolize divine protection of the throne.

10:22

  • the ships of Tarshish: This Hebrew term refers to a type of merchant ship.

  • Phoenician sailors operated Solomon’s fleet, which sailed from Ezion-geber (1 Kings 9:26–28; see Isaiah 23:1).

  • apes, and peacocks: Archaeology shows that kings imported these animals. They were valued for their novelty, exotic nature, and as symbols of conquering distant lands.

10:26

1,400 chariots: Before Solomon, chariots were not a major part of Israel's army. Deuteronomy 17:16 warns kings against gathering horses instead of trusting God. While some debate the archaeological evidence of chariots in Solomon's time, his chariot cities are often thought to be b Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer (1 Kings 9:15, 19). The Assyrian king Shalmaneser III mentioned facing many enemy chariots at the Battle of Qarqar in 853 BC, with 2,000 provided by King Ahab of Israel.

10:28–29

Solomon also acted as a trader, exchanging horses and chariots between the Egyptians in the south and the Syrians and Anatolians in the north.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources