1 Kings 10:25 Komentář

Still Solomon looks great, and every thing in this chapter adds to his magnificence. We read nothing indeed of his charity, of no hospitals he built, or alms-houses; he made his kingdom so rich that it did not need them; yet, no question, many poor were relieved from the abundance of his table. A church he had built, never to be equalled; schools or colleges he need not build any, his own palace is an academy, and his court a rendezvous of wise and learned men, as well as the centre of all the circulating riches of that part of the world. I. What abundance of wisdom there was there appears from the application the queen of Sheba made to him, and the great satisfaction she had in her entertainment there (Kg1 10:1-13), and others likewise (Kg1 10:24). II. What abundance of wealth there was there appears here by the gold imported, with other things, yearly (Kg1 10:14, Kg1 10:15), and in a triennial return (Kg1 10:22). Gold presented (Kg1 10:25), and gold used in targets and shields (Kg1 10:16, Kg1 10:17), and vessels (Kg1 10:21). A stately throne made (Kg1 10:18-20). His chariots and horsemen (Kg1 10:26). His trade with Egypt (Kg1 10:28, Kg1 10:29). And the great plenty of silver and cedars among his people (Kg1 10:27). So that, putting all together, it must be owned, as it is here said (Kg1 10:23), that "king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches, and for wisdom." Yet what was he to the King of kings? Where Christ is, by his word and Spirit, "Behold, a greater than Solomon is there."

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 10 This chapter contains an account of the queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon to her great satisfaction, Kg1 10:1, of Solomon's merchandise and riches, and the magnificence of his court, Kg1 10:14, of the rich presents sent to him, and of the purchase of chariots and horses, and other things, he made, Kg1 10:24.

And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen,.... Both for war; for though it was a time of peace, he provided against the worst, lest an enemy should come upon him suddenly, and when unprepared: and he had one thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; of the latter See Gill on Kg1 4:26. whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem; some of the horsemen were quartered in the cities where the chariots were placed, and some of them in Jerusalem, to be near the king's person, and to be a guard to him on occasion. Josephus (f) says, half of them were in Jerusalem about the king, and the rest were dispersed through the king's villages. (f) Antiqu l. 8. c. 2. sect. 4.

The queen of Sheba visits Solomon, and brings rich presents; and tries him by hard questions, which he readily solves, Kg1 10:1-3. She expresses great surprise at his wisdom, his buildings, his court, etc.; and praises God for placing him on the Jewish throne, Kg1 10:4-9. She gives him rich presents, Kg1 10:10. What the navy of Hiram brought from Ophir, Kg1 10:11, Kg1 10:12. The queen of Sheba returns, Kg1 10:13. Solomon's annual revenue, Kg1 10:14, Kg1 10:15. He makes two hundred targets and three hundred shields of gold, Kg1 10:16, Kg1 10:17. His magnificent ivory throne, Kg1 10:18-20. His drinking vessels all of gold, Kg1 10:21. What the navy of Tharshish brought every three years to Solomon, Kg1 10:22. His great riches, numerous chariots, and horsemen, Kg1 10:23-27. He brings chariots and horses out of Egypt, Kg1 10:28, Kg1 10:29.

They brought every man his present - This means tribute; and it shows us of what sort that tribute was, viz., vessels of gold and silver, probably ingots; garments of very rich stuffs; armor, for little of this kind was ever made in Judea; spices, which doubtless sold well in that country; horses, which were very rare; and mules, the most necessary animal for all the purposes of life.

THE QUEEN OF SHEBA ADMIRES THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON. (Kg1 10:1-13) the queen of Sheba--Some think her country was the Sabean kingdom of Yemen, of which the capital was Saba, in Arabia-Felix; others, that it was in African Ethiopia, that is, Abyssinia, towards the south of the Red Sea. The opinions preponderate in favor of the former. This view harmonizes with the language of our Lord, as Yemen means "South"; and this country, extending to the shores of the Indian ocean, might in ancient times be considered "the uttermost parts of the earth." heard of the fame of Solomon--doubtless by the Ophir fleet. concerning the name of the Lord--meaning either his great knowledge of God, or the extraordinary things which God had done for him. hard questions--enigmas or riddles. The Orientals delight in this species of intellectual exercise and test wisdom by the power and readiness to solve them.