This chapter, which corresponds almost word for word with 1 Kings 10, closes the account of Solomon here given. It will be noted that 1 Kings 11, which tells of Solomon's departure from God, and the infliction of God's chastening hand upon him in consequence, has no counterpart in the Chronicles; the explanation it may not be amiss to again say, is that this second account of Israel's and later Judah's kings is to set out the grace of God and of His blessing, only such faults being mentioned as are needed in order that we may understand the instructions of His grace.
In the books of the Kings, the general and public history of God's government is given, following the line of Israel's kings—the ten tribes—after Solomon, to the end of the line, and the disappearance of the people in captivity. The books of the Chronicles also set out that character of things, particularly in David and Solomon, which could be used to foreshadow the Messiah, that now rejected Son of David, Who is David's Lord, Who ere long shall reign over Israel and the new earth in righteousness.
The queen of Sheba, coming from the far south—it is claimed by the Abyssinians that she was from their land—having heard of Solomon's fame came to Jerusalem to prove him with enigmas, but there was not a thing hidden from Solomon; he explained every one. Astonished, bewildered by his wisdom and the glory of his house and his ascent by which he went up to the temple, there was no more spirit in her. She acknowledged that though the report she had heard in her own land had been wonderful; but what her eyes beheld, and her ears took in, exceeded the report. She owned, too, God as the giver of this glory and wisdom, and gave Solomon much gold, spices and precious stones.
The glory and greatness of Solomon's court brought all the kings of the earth to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart, and they brought him presents year by year. He ruled over all the kings from the Euphrates to the border of Egypt. All this puts us in mind of the coming reign of Christ as Israel's King, the Son of Psalm 2 and the King of Psalms 21 and 24.
"The rest of the acts" of Solomon (verse 29) were written elsewhere; not only in the words of Nathan the prophet, in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer, but in the Scriptures, in 1 Kings 1-11. And he died; the man whose pen indited the Book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, passed from the scene of his triumphs to meet God.
His warnings, and the example of his life remain, preserved to us who live in closing days of grace; may they stir our hearts, who know Christ as Saviour, to be truer to Him, to be attracted by nothing this world can afford, away from our blessed Lord, the bright, the Morning Star!
Christ is coming, are you ready ?
He is coming for His own;
He will call them up to meet Him,
And will place them on His throne.