1 Kings 10
THIS chapter concludes the account of Solomon’s greatness. Sheba was in the south (Matthew 12:4242The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. (Matthew 12:42)), either in the south of Arabia or in north-eastern Africa (Abyssinia). It was a great distance with such means of travel as were then in use, that the queen traveled to see and talk with Solomon.
In a coming day, many nations shall come, and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths,” Micah 4:22And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Micah 4:2). So the visit of the queen of Sheba to Solomon gives us a picture of what will be when a Greater than Solomon is enthroned at Jerusalem.
So wise was Solomon; so magnificent his house; so well managed his court, that the queen of Sheba was astonished beyond measure. She told Solomon that she had been given a true report of him in her own land, but she had not believed it until she had seen with her own eyes, and now she could say that not half had been told.
We are reminded of the passage in 1 Corinthians 2:6-166Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:6‑16) which is in part quoted from Isaiah 64:44For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. (Isaiah 64:4), telling of the wisdom of God, and how little is known to the unconverted man of the things which He has prepared for them that love Him.
If Solomon’s glory and wisdom were so great as to utterly astonish this rich queen. what shall we who know the Lord Jesus as our own personal Saviour say, when we enter the heavenly city, and know as we are known? (1 Corinthians 13:1212For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)).
The queen of Sheba was only a visitor. privileged to look in on a scene of glory, and presently returning to her own land, but the Christian is to enter a place far more glorious, the eternal abode of God, where the Forerunner, Jesus, is for us already entered (Hebrews 7:2020And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (Hebrews 7:20)). He is to be forever with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:1717Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)), and like Him (1 John 3:22Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)) in the ages of eternity to be shown the exceeding riches of God’s grace in kindness toward him through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:77That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7)). What grace!
Solomon made two hundred targets or shields of gold, using 600 shekels of gold for each, —about $360 each in value in American or Canadian money today. He made also three hundred smaller shields of gold worth about $100 each.
A magnificent throne was made of ivory overlaid with the best of refined gold. Six steps led up to it, with figures of lions on each step, and at the sides of the throne.
There was no such grandeur anywhere equal to Solomon’s. Ships brought him gold, silver, ivory, apes and peacocks, and he was beyond all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. God had given him all he possessed.
Did he give Him honor; did he give Him the deepest love of a grateful and humble heart, for all this? Alas, he did not, as the next chapter plainly shows.
ML 06/19/1927