Read the Passage: 1 Kings 9:10-10:29

Solomon’s Achievements (9:10–28)

1 Kings 9:10–10:29 describes the apex of Solomon’s reign. This passage narrates events after Solomon had ruled for 20 years of his total 40 year reign. It seems the author’s goal in this passage was two-fold: first, to describe Solomon’s unmatched wisdom and wealth; and second, to set the stage for Solomon’s fall in 1 Kings 11. Note that 2 Chron. 8:1–18 is a parallel passage that focuses more upon worship and covenant faithfulness. 1 Kings 9:10–14 reports that in exchange for the materials Hiram gave to Solomon for the building of the temple and palace, Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities that lay between Tyre and Israel. Apparently, these cities did not please Hiram, thus he labeled this region Cabal, which means “good for nothing.” 2 Chron. 8:2 notes that Hiram returned these cities to Solomon, as perhaps some other form of remuneration was worked out.

1 Kings 9:15–19 records other various building projects that Solomon completed during his reign, including building the wall of Jerusalem, renovating cities throughout Israel, and creating strategic military outposts in the land. In 1 Kings 9:20–23 it is reported that Solomon’s great building projects were completed using forced Canaanite labor, as the Israelites served in the military and in government positions. The use of pagan labor may seem to be trivial, yet it hints at the peoples’ disobedience, for God had commanded Israel to destroy the Canaanites, not to enslave them (cf. Deut. 7:1–5; 20:16–18). 1 Kings 9:24–28 notes three additional details related to Solomon’s reign: his marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter, his tri-annual offerings at the temple altar, and his cooperation with Hiram in constructing ships to engage in international trade and the transport of gold from Ophir.

Queen’s Visit (10:1–13)

10:1-9 1 Kings 10:1–13 reports the visit of the queen of Sheba. Just as the whereabouts of Ophir (cf. 1 Kings 9:28) is unknown, so the exact location of Sheba is not identified in the Bible. Yet, given the details that are recorded in Scripture, it is possible that Sheba was located in southern Arabia, near modern-day Yemen. Furthermore, note this passage narrates a real historical event, yet it is also intended to be prophetic. To elaborate, Solomon’s kingdom depicts the kingdom of God, and the visit of the queen of Sheba previews the idea of Gentiles coming into God’s kingdom (cf. Isa. 2:2–3; Zech. 8:22–23). This narrative emphasizes two aspects of Solomon’s reign. First, it is clear that Solomon’s wisdom was God-given, for he answered all of the queen’s questions (cf. 1 Kings 10:1–3). Second, this passage confirms that Solomon’s wealth and prosperity was astonishing, for even the affluent queen of Sheba was overwhelmed by what she saw (cf. 1 Kings 10:4–9).

1 Kings 10:10–13 records the gifts that the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon, as well as what he offered to her. In short, the queen gave Solomon 4.5 tons of gold, as well as many precious stones and a vast quantity of spices. Earlier, 1 Kings 9:26–28 had referred to Solomon’s international fleet of ships, thus 1 Kings 10:11–12 interjects that these ships also brought gold, stones, and exotic wood to Solomon. This passage notes that Solomon used this special wood to craft steps for the temple, as well as to make wood instruments for the temple singers. Observe that 2 Chron. 9:1–12 also narrates the exchange of material goods between the queen of Sheba and Solomon. While 1 Kings 10:13 says that Solomon “gave the queen of Sheba all she desired,” 2 Chon. 9:12 notes that the queen of Sheba was given “whatever she asked, much more than she had brought to the king.”

Nation’s Wealth (10:14–29)

1 Kings 10:14–29 summarizes the vast wealth of Solomon and the flourishing of Israel during Solomon’s reign. Indeed, this passage describes Israel’s large yearly revenue stream (cf. 1 Kings 10:14–15), the adornment of various public buildings with gold (cf. 1 Kings 10:16–17), the ornate throne of ivory and gold that Solomon made (cf. 1 Kings 10:18–20), the gold tableware of the king (cf. 1 Kings 10:21–23), Solomon’s fame and reception of costly gifts (cf. 1 Kings 10:24–25), as well as the military preparedness and general economic flourishing of the nation (cf. 1 Kings 10:26–29). Observe some of the claims of this passage: “Nothing like this had been done for any other kingdom” (1 Kings 10:20); “Silver . . . was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon” (1 Kings 10:21); and “Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom” (1 Kings 10:23).

Application Questions:

1. How would you compare David’s reign as king of Israel with that of Solomon? Who was a greater king?
2. If the land of Canaan was promised to Israel, why would Solomon give away part of the land to a pagan king?
3. If Solomon had been supernaturally blessed with wisdom, why did he repeatedly break God’s laws?
4. How can we balance the fact of God’s material blessing of Solomon, with later warnings about wealth (cf. Matt. 6:24)?
5. If Solomon is a Christ-figure, how can the petitions of the queen of Sheba serve as an example to believers (cf. Eph. 3:20)?