1The queen of Sheba cometh to see Solomon. 4Her admiration of his wisdom and magnificence. 10Her presents to him. 14Solomon's yearly revenue in gold. 16His golden targets and shields. 18His throne of ivory. 21His rich vessels. 24Strangers bring him presents out of respect to his wisdom. 26His chariots and horsemen. 27The plenty of silver and cedars in his time. 28Horses, chariots, and linen yarn, brought out of Egypt.
1AND when the queen of 1Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon 2concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard 3questions.
1 A region situated southward of Canaan, Mat. 12:42; Luke 11:31, having its name from Seba, the son of Cush. See Gen. 10 on verse 7.
2 Or, for, of the name, etc. Hereby is shown the cause of Solomon’s great renown, which was not only his transcendent wisdom, whereby he surpassed all men, 1 Kings 4:30, 31, but especially the wonderful manner as he had speedily obtained the same from the LORD by an infused gift of illumination, without his own labor, and the instruction of men.
3 The Hebrew word signifies dark sayings, in which something is asked or propounded, which has a secret and hidden meaning. Also Num. 12:8; Judges 14:12; and in Mat. 13:35, out of Psalm 78:2, it is translated secret things.
2And shea came to Jerusalem with a very 4great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of 5all that was in her heart.
a 2 Chron. 9:1; Mat. 12:42; Luke 11:31.
4 That is, with a very great retinue and stately train. See Gen. 50 on verse 9.
5 That is, all that she had purposed in her heart to commune with him. See 1 Kings 8 on verse 17.
3And Solomon told her 6all her questions: there was not any thing 7hid from the king, which he told her not.
6 That is, the dark questions, and deep riddles, which she propounded to the king.
7 That is, there was nothing so dark, acute, or subtle, wherein his wisdom would have come too short to have explained it.
4And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built,
5And the meat of his table, and 8the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and 9his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; 10there was no more spirit in her.
8 Understand the well-disposed and glorious order according to which his princes and counselors sat at the table, and the courtiers stood to wait at the table. Others understand this of the king’s sitting in counsel, or judgment.
9 Understand this of the curious galleries, by which the king went up from his own house into the house of the Lord, or also of the stately train, that accompanied him therein. Others translate it thus: and his offering which he offered in the house of the Lord.
10 Namely, by reason of the astonishment, which wrought in her the exceeding great admiration.
6And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy 11acts and of thy wisdom.
11 Hebr. words.
7Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: 12thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.
12 Hebr. thou hast added wisdom and good to the fame which I heard. Understand by wisdom the gift of understanding, wherewith the king was adorned, and by good or prosperity, his virtues and excellent works, whereby he benefited his subjects.
8Happy are thy 13men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually 14before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.
13 Namely, who dwell with thee.
14 That is, who do ordinarily minister unto thee. See Deut. 1 on verse 38.
9Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, 15to do judgment and justice.
15 This phrase, being ascribed to magistrates, signifies as much as to condemn and punish the wicked in judgment, and to absolve and defend the good persons; or to take notice of occurring matters, and to judge rightly, and then to execute what is just and right, by punishing the wicked, and protecting the good, 2 Sam. 8:15.
10And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.
11And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of 16almugb trees, and precious stones.
16 What kind of wood the Hebrew word signifies, this is uncertain. 2 Chron. 2:8; 9:10 it is called algum-wood. Some think that it was thyine-wood, of which mention is made, Rev. 18:12. Others take it to be brazil-wood. So much we may perceive of it, that it was a very costly and precious wood, and such, as at that time was unknown in that land. See the following verse and 2 Chron. 9:11.
b algum, sandalwood
12Andc the king made of the almug trees 17pillars for the house of the LORD, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came 18no such 19almug trees, nor were seen unto this day.
c 2 Chron. 9:11.
17 Understand herewith balustrades, props, or handrails at the galleries, by which they went from the king’s house into the temple. Compare verse 5; 1 Chron. 26:16, 18; 2 Chron. 9:11.
18 Namely, before this time in the land of Judah, 2 Chron. 9:11.
19 Namely, so costly, or in such abundance.
13And king Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which 20Solomon gave her of his 21royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.
20 That is, according to his wealth. Compare 1 Kings 8:1; 9:1.
21 Hebr. according to king Solomon’s hand, that is, of his own accord, according to his royal power and generosity.
14¶Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon 22in one year was six hundred threescore and six 23talents of gold,
22 That is, every year. See Num. 28 on verse 13.
23 See of the value of a talent of gold Exod. 25 on verse 39.
15Beside that he had of the 24merchantmen, and of the traffickd of the 25spice merchants, and of all the 26kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.
24 Or, mercantile men. Hebr. of the men that scrutinize, search, rummage. Understand such as are sent forth by great merchants into different countries to sell their wares and commodities at the most expensive rates, and to buy for them other commodities at the lowest prices, and to send and convey them over to their masters. Others understand this of the tribute-gatherers or tenant-farmers of the custom, who were wont to look very closely to entrap the merchants, if they would hide or conceal any of their wares.
d trade*
25 Or, pharmacists.
26 Understand those who were near at hand, as well east-ward as south-ward.
16¶And king Solomon madee two hundred targetsfof beaten gold: six hundred 27shekels of gold 28went to one target.
e 1 Kings 14:26.
f shields*
27 Understand common shekels, of whose value, see Gen. 24 on verse 22.
28 Hebr. to ascend or go up.
17And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three 29pound of gold went to one shield: andg the king put them 30in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
29 Hebr. manim. One mina or pound made ordinarily an hundred common shekels; and consequently every shield was worth three hundred shekels of gold. See 2 Chron. 9:16.
g 1 Kings 7:2.
30 See hereof 1 Kings 7 on verse 2.
18¶Moreover the king madeh a great throne of 31ivory, and overlaid it with the 32best gold.
h 2 Chron. 9:17.
31 Hebr. a throne of the tooth, namely, of elephants, whereof comes the ivory, of which many things are made for ornament, as appears here, and 1 Kings 22:39; Psalm 45:8; Amos 3:15; 6:4.
32 That is, which was well purified and refined: and therefore also very close and solid.
19The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was 33round behind: and there were 34stays 35on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.
33 That is, like a bow, or of the shape and fashion of a bow.
34 Hebr. hands.
35 Hebr. hence and thence, or, to and fro. Also in the following verse.
20And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.
21¶And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of 36pure gold; none were of silver: 37it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
36 See 1 Kings 6 on verse 20.
37 Namely, silver. An hyperbole, or excessive manner of speaking. Compare verse 27, and the annotation thereon.
22For the king had at sea a navy of 38Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and 39apes, and 40peacocks.
38 Some understand by this word the great sea, called the ocean, and by the ships of Tharsish, the ships that sailed in that sea. Others take Tharsish to be Cilicia, whose metropolis or chief city, called Tarsus, had a very well-known port or haven, in which they found opportunity to sail into Africa, India, and other remote countries. Compare Gen. 10 on verse 4. Others perceive Tharsish to be Africa, and by the ships of Tharsish to be understood a fleet or navy, fitted and prepared to sail unto the African sea.
39 Or, monkeys.
40 Or, parrots.
23So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth fori riches and for wisdom.
i 1 Kings 3:12, 13.
24¶And 41all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
41 Understand not all the people of the entire world, but the most important ones, as princes, lords, rulers, etc. of all the countries round about. See 2 Chron. 9:23.
25And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, 42a rate year by year.
42 Hebr. the thing of the year in the year, that is, every present yearly.
26¶Andj Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and 43with the king at Jerusalem.
j 1 Kings 4:26; 2 Chron. 1:14; 9:25.
43 That is, with him. Compare verse 13.
27And thek king 44made silver to be in Jerusalem 45as stones, and cedars made he to be as the 46sycomore trees that are in the vale, for abundance.
k 2 Chron. 1:15; 9:27.
44 Hebr. gave.
45 An hyperbole or excessive manner of speaking, intimating exceeding great abundance. See verse 21; Gen. 13 on verse 16. Also 2 Chron. 9:27.
46 Or, as the wild fig-trees, that is, fig-mulberry-trees.
28¶And Solomon had 47horses broughtl out of Egypt, and 48linen yarn: them king’s 49merchants received the 50linen yarn at 51a price.
47 Egypt abounded with exceeding, goodly horses, fine flax and linen, called byssus; which were exceedingly well vented in the neighboring countries, but were not allowed to be transported without paying the set tribute or custom. Now Pharaoh made over unto Solomon, who had married his daughter, the right and interest of the tribute or custom, which by his merchants or tenant-farmers gathered the same, and received great profit or revenue thereof.
l 2 Chron. 9:28.
48 See Gen. 41 on verse 42.
m 2 Chron. 1:16.
49 Understand the tribute-gatherers or tenant-farmers of the customs or tolls.
50 As also the horses.
51 That is, at a certain set price.
29And 52a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of 53silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and 54so for all the kings of the 55Hittites, and for the kings of 56Syria, did they bring them out by 57their means.
52 Understand this of a chariot or wagon laden with linen yarn, and also of packed horses, yea of the horses themselves. Now a wagon paid four times as much custom as a horse did, because they were wont to fasten four horses to a chariot or wagon. The custom or tribute of a laden chariot or wagon being six hundred shekels, the tribute or custom of a packed horse was an hundred and fifty shekels.
53 See of the value of the shekel Gen. 20 on verse 16; Gen. 23 on verse 15.
54 That is, the goods, coming from Egypt, Solomon imposed not only a tax or custom upon the wares and commodities, when they came into his land, but also when they were carried unto the lands of the Hittites and Syrians, of whom Solomon also received custom or tribute by this means, because the horses and wares were to pass through his country or jurisdiction. Others understand this thus, that the kings of the Hittites and Syrians did likewise take custom or toll of the wares, or commodities brought into their lands.
55 Dwelling east-ward from Palestine.
56 North-ward of Palestine.
57 Namely, by the hand of the merchants and tenant-farmers mentioned in the previous verse.