1 Kings 10 - Printer Friendly

What does 1 Kings 10 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

Solomon asked God for wisdom; God agreed and promised riches and honor as well (1 Kings 3:5–14). First Kings 10 shows how all three intertwine. Solomon's wisdom makes him a shrewd trader who earns the honor of foreign rulers. They honor him with gifts in addition to seven hundred princesses (1 Kings 11:3).

At the beginning of the chapter, Solomon reveals his wisdom and riches to the queen of Sheba (2 Chronicles 9:1–4). Scholars posit that she's from Saba in modern-day Yemen. The area is known for spices, incense, and precious gems and metals, which the queen shares with Solomon. Jesus will praise her discernment (Matthew 12:42). Josephus will claim she ruled Egypt and Ethiopia. The raiders who killed Job's servants may have been from Saba, although long before the queen's time (Job 1:15). Solomon's wisdom, diet, attendants, and royal trappings take the queen's breath away (1 Kings 10:1–5).

The queen of Sheba praises God in response to what she has seen (2 Chronicles 9:5–9). Overwhelmed by Solomon's wisdom and wealth, she recognizes the divine source of these benefits. She notes that the true blessing is that a wise and just king rules Israel. In the story of Solomon's reign, her awe parallels his justice in the case of the two women and the dead child (1 Kings 3:16–28). Her praise fulfills Solomon's prayer (1 Kings 8:41–43) that nations would fear God's name (First Kings 10:6–10).

Included in this passage is the second of three mentions of the ships Solomon sends out with King Hiram (1 Kings 9:26–28; 10:22). The placement in the text implies that the impressive wealth noted by the queen of Sheba is due in part to Solomon's wise sea trading (2 Chronicles 9:10–12). The merchants bring back precious stones, gold, and valuable wood for the temple and musical instruments. As is the custom among royal peers, Solomon freely shares his riches with the queen (1 Kings 10:11–13).

Scripture provides details of the riches God gave Solomon (2 Chronicles 9:13–21). In one year, Solomon accumulates the equivalent of twenty-five tons, or nearly twenty-three metric tons, of gold. In 2026, this would be worth over three billion US dollars. While this is impressive, it also hints that Solomon is already drifting from God's ideal for a ruling king (Deuteronomy 17:17). He hangs five hundred decorative gold shields in his government building. He makes a throne of ivory, overlaid with gold, with fourteen lions flanking the steps and the throne. The sea merchants Solomon and Hiram send out also bring back exotic animals (1 Kings 10:14–22).

The last of God's blessings described here is the honor of other nations (2 Chronicles 9:22–24). Like the queen of Sheba, they come to witness his wisdom and give him gifts. Solomon uses their respect to actively make even more money. He imports horses and chariots from Egypt; what he doesn't use for defense, he sells to the Hittites and the Syrians at a profit (1 Kings 10:23–29).

Amid the extravagant blessings, 1 Kings 10 foreshadows future tragic events. The queen of Sheba witnesses Solomon's wisdom and praises God. But other rulers bring princesses who draw Solomon into idolatry (1 Kings 11:1–8). Solomon's son Rehoboam will replace the wise officials with foolish young men, leading him to lose half the kingdom (1 Kings 12:1–24). Then, Rehoboam will lose Solomon's gold shields to the king of Egypt (1 Kings 14:25–26). Jehoshaphat, one of Judah's greatest kings, will try his hand at sea trade, as well. Unfortunately, the ships are destroyed before they reach open water (1 Kings 22:48–50). And while the queen of Sheba shows ample respect when she sees Solomon's riches, the Babylonian envoys will see Hezekiah's treasure and plan an attack (2 Kings 20:12–19).

Solomon is the grandest of Israel's kings, but this is the last chapter that speaks well of him. God will keep him on the throne in honor of David's loyalty, but idolatry leads God to raise up adversaries (1 Kings 11). What could have been the peaceful reign God promised will end in turmoil.

First Kings 10:1–10 displays Solomon's first gift from God, wisdom (1 Kings 3:12), to the queen of Sheba (2 Chronicles 9:1–9). The queen presents gifts of spices, gold, and precious stones. In return, Solomon answers all her questions. Solomon's wisdom, riches, and royal court take the queen's breath away. She blesses the God of Israel for giving the nation a wise and just king, fulfilling Solomon's prayer that foreigners would fear Yahweh (1 Kings 8:41–45).

First Kings 10:11–13 gives context to the queen of Sheba's visit (2 Chronicles 9:10–12). Solomon and Hiram's sea merchants (1 Kings 9:26–28) bring back gold, jewels, valuable wood, and exotic animals from faraway lands. The riches both impress the queen and allow Solomon to lavish gifts upon her. It's likely that she learned of Solomon through those same merchants (1 Kings 9:26–28).

First Kings 10:14–22 describes God's second blessing on Solomon: wealth (2 Chronicles 9:13–21). Solomon humbly asked for wisdom, so God promised him riches and honor, as well (1 Kings 3:12–13). In one year, Solomon accumulates billions of dollars in gold. Once every three years, his sea merchants also bring back silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. Sadly, Solomon's foolish son Rehoboam will lose much of the gold to the Egyptians (1 Kings 14:25–26).

First Kings 10:23–29 recounts God's final blessing to Solomon (1 Kings 3:13): the respect of the nations (2 Chronicles 9:22–28). When the known world hears of Solomon's wisdom, rulers come to seek his advice and offer him gifts. Egypt allows him to trade its horses and chariots. Sadly, Solomon isn't satisfied. Along with gold and jewels, the foreign rulers bring seven hundred of their princesses; the princesses bring their foreign gods. Solomon foolishly takes all they have to offer, betraying his God for worthless idols (1 Kings 11:1–8).

Chapter Summary:

God blesses Solomon with wisdom, riches, and honor (2 Chronicles 9). The queen of Sheba arrives and witnesses Solomon's greatness. She immediately praises God for blessing Israel with a wise king. Solomon earns the honor of foreign rulers who bring gifts and wives (1 Kings 11:3). He proves to be a shrewd investor, sending sea merchants out with Hiram of Tyre to bring back treasure, and trading Egypt's horses and chariots to northern nations. Yahweh (Exodus 3:15) gives Solomon foreign wealth, honor, and women, but it isn't enough. He betrays God and accumulates foreign idols as well (1 Kings 11:1–8).

Chapter Context:

First Kings 10 describes the fulfillment of God's promise to give Solomon wisdom, wealth, and honor in 1 Kings 3:5–15 (2 Chronicles 9). The chapter also foreshadows Judah's future. The queen of Sheba worships Yahweh while Solomon's wives will entice him into idolatry (1 Kings 11:1–8). Solomon's son will reject his officials' wise counsel; he'll lose half the kingdom (1 Kings 12:1–24) and Solomon's riches (1 Kings 14:25–26). Jehoshaphat will try to replicate Solomon's sea trade and fail (1 Kings 22:48–50). And the Babylonians will "honor" Hezekiah's wealth by planning to steal it (2 Kings 10:12–19). God's blessings are good, but we can always tarnish them.

This was originally the first half of a combined text. First Kings records the end of David's reign and the rule of Solomon. After this, the kingdom is split in two. The northern nation of Israel no longer submits to the king of the southern nation, called Judah. The prophet Elijah first appears in this book. The kings mostly fail to honor the Lord. They participate in idolatry and other sins. This will eventually result in their conquest and exile, as depicted throughout the books of Chronicles.

Accessed 8/12/2026 10:36:42 PM