1 Kings 10:1-13
The Queen of Sheba
Read the passage
1Now 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.
2She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind.
3And Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too difficult for the king to explain.
4When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built,
5the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.
6She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your words and wisdom is true.
7But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told to me. Your wisdom and prosperity have far exceeded the report I heard.
8How blessed are your men! How blessed are these servants of yours who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom!
9Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness.”
10Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again were spices in such abundance brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
11(The fleet of Hiram that brought gold from Ophir also brought from Ophir a great cargo of almug wood and precious stones.
12The king made the almug wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had such almug wood been brought in, nor has such been seen again to this day.)
13King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired—whatever she asked—besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty. Then she left and returned to her own country, along with her servants.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The queen of Sheba hears about Solomon's fame and his relationship to the name of the LORD. She comes to Jerusalem with a very large caravan carrying spices, gold, and precious stones. She has come to test Solomon with difficult questions, prepared to hear his answers for herself.
She speaks with him about everything on her mind, and Solomon answers all her questions. Nothing is too difficult for the king to explain. The queen sees his wisdom, the palace he has built, the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the clothing of his attendants, and the burnt offerings at the temple.
The visit takes her breath away. She says she had not believed the reports until she saw for herself, and now finds that not even half had been told. She calls the servants blessed because they continually hear Solomon’s wisdom.
The queen blesses the LORD for delighting in Solomon. Because of His enduring love for Israel, she says, He has made Solomon king to administer justice and righteousness. She gives Solomon the gifts she brought. He grants what she asks in addition to gifts from his royal bounty. She returns home with her servants.
Jesus later recalls her journey to hear Solomon’s wisdom and declares that One greater than Solomon is present (Matthew 12:42). Her willingness to travel and listen becomes a challenge to those who hear Jesus but will not receive Him. Admiring wisdom at a distance is different from giving it our attention when it addresses us.
Questions
1 Why does this foreign ruler visit Solomon?
AnswerShe comes because she has heard of his fame and his relationship to the name of the LORD.
2 What does she bring with her?
AnswerShe brings a very large caravan with spices, gold, and precious stones as gifts for Solomon.
3 What does the queen observe in Jerusalem?
AnswerShe observes Solomon's wisdom, palace, food, servants, attendants, and the burnt offerings he makes at the temple.
4 How can we give needed wisdom more than a passing hearing?
AnswerMake time to listen, bring honest questions, and be willing to act on what is true. The queen came to hear for herself; Jesus uses her example to challenge indifference to His greater wisdom. Consider a teaching of His that you need to attend to rather than merely admire.
What This Means for Us
Wisdom is more than having the right answer in a conversation. It becomes visible in the way people are treated, resources are ordered, and responsibility is carried.
Welcome honest questions from outside your household. A visitor may notice both the strengths you have become used to and the gaps your familiar routines keep hiding.
Prayer
Lord, make our wisdom visible in justice and righteousness, not merely in clever words. Give us humility to welcome honest questions and grace to learn from what others see. Amen.