1 Kings 10:12

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

Translations

Modern
The king made the almug wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had such almug wood been brought in, nor has such been seen again to this day.)
Traditional
And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the Lord, and for the king’s house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day.
Literal
And the king made the steps of almug wood for the house of YHWH, and for the house of the king, and harps and stringed instruments for the singers. There never came again such almug wood, nor has been seen to this day.)
Latin
Fecitque rex de lignis thyinis fulcra domus Domini et domus regiæ, et citharas lyrasque cantoribus: non sunt allata hujuscemodi ligna thyina, neque visa usque in præsentem diem.)

Original

Hebrew
English
The king made the almug wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had such almug wood been brought in, nor has such been seen again to this day.)

Notes

  • Solomon had a lot of gold during his reign. The queen's gifts added to what Solomon already had from his trade with Hiram of Tyre. He used the gold wisely (see 1 Kings 6:20–22, 28, 30, 32, 35; 7:49–51; 10:18, 21).

  • Arabian traders sold spices like frankincense and myrrh. Both were used for medicine; frankincense was also used in holy incense (Exodus 30:34–38; Leviticus 2:2), and myrrh was used for perfume and embalming the dead. Wise men from the east gave these spices and gold to Jesus (Matthew 2:1–11).

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

Glossary

Almug Ezion-Geber Jerusalem Kings, Books of First and Second Musical Instruments Proverbs, Book of Sandalwood Sheba (Place) Solomon (Person)

Topics

Algum: Also Called Almug, Trees of Ophir and Lebanon Harp: Made of Almug Wood Music: Instruments of Made by Solomon Music: Instruments of Made of Almug Wood Pillars: Made of Wood Queen of Sheba, Visits Solomon Solomon is Visited by the Queen of Sheba Solomon: Commerce of Solomon: Musicians and Musical Instruments of his Court Solomon: The Splendor of his Court Trees: Almug or Algum Women: Queen of Sheba