1 Kings 10:1

The Queen of Sheba · 1 Kings 10:1–13
Read 1 Kings 10

Translations

Modern
Now 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.
Traditional
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions.
Literal
And the queen of Sheba heard the report of Solomon concerning the name of YHWH, and she came to test him with difficult questions.
Latin
Sed et regina Saba, audita fama Salomonis in nomine Domini, venit tentare eum in ænigmatibus.

Original

Hebrew
English
Now 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.

Notes

  • The queen probably heard about Solomon's wisdom and wealth because of his trade trips to Ophir (1 Kings 10:11; see 1 Kings 9:26–28). Sheba, in southwestern Arabia (modern Yemen), was a fertile trade center. The ancient Sabeans traded across vast areas, including Syria, Africa, and India.

  • test … with difficult questions (literally riddles): Arabian literature is known for its riddles and proverbs. The queen tested Solomon's wisdom and explored her own mysteries.

The queen of Sheba visited to see if the stories about Solomon’s wisdom were true (1 Kings 10:1, 3, 6–7). She might have also been interested in trade partnerships (1 Kings 10:2, 10, 13). Solomon achieved everything because of his wisdom from God, as the queen of Sheba confirms in her main speech (1 Kings 10:6–9).

Theme notes and profiles

Solomon Solomon’s Wisdom

Events

Parallels

2 Chronicles 9:1–12

People

Queen of Sheba: A queen who visited Solomon and praised his wisdom Solomon: Son of David, king of Israel, known for his wisdom

Places

Sheba: Kingdom known for wealth, trade, and the Queen of Sheba

Glossary

Jerusalem Kings, Books of First and Second Proverbs, Book of Queen Riddle Sheba (Place) Solomon (Person)

Topics

Precious Stones: Brought from Sheba Queen of Sheba, Visits Solomon Queens Sheba: Queen of, Visits Solomon Solomon is Visited by the Queen of Sheba Women: Queen of Sheba