https://esv.literalword.com/?q=1+Kings+10
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Wednesday, 17 September 2025:
Listen to this message from Dr. J. Vernon McGee on 1 Kings 10 — https://www.blueletterbible.org/audio_video/popPlayer.cfm?id=4834&rel=mcgee_j_vernon/1ki
1 Kings 10 (and 2 Chronicles 9) tells how the Queen of Sheba, having heard of Solomon’s greatness, visited him and said this, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, half the greatness of your wisdom was not told me; you surpass the report that I heard.” (2 Chronicles 9:5, 6) Her experience with Solomon seems like a great example for the Christian life. Hearing about Jesus and believing enough to go to him is the first step – “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17; Galatians 3:5) However, our faith blossoms when hearing transitions to experiencing. We are not witnesses to what we have heard, nor witnesses to a philosophy or religion. We are witnesses to what we have seen and experienced first-hand; and we are character references for who we know personally and genuinely.
It is the reality of Christ within us that produces fruit and works which will not be destroyed (see 1 Corinthians 3:12). When the queen of Sheba experienced first-hand the truth of Solomon, then she offered him many gifts with a heart similar to what Asaph describes in today’s Psalm – “let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared.” In response to the queen’s honoring of him, Solomon “gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked.”
Consider how Solomon’s response to Sheba compares to the words of Jesus in John 15: “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing…. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” Let it be said “In [your heart] God is known; His name is great in [your heart].” John 15:11 — “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
1 Kings 10:1-3 — Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions. She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue…. And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her.
The queen of Sheba represents just one of the surrounding nations drawn to Solomon’s wisdom and prosperity. Notice her motivation: she came because of Solomon’s fame “concerning the name of the LORD.” His wisdom was a testimony to God’s greatness, not merely his own brilliance. This reflects God’s design for Israel — to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6). When the people of God walk in wisdom, the world takes notice and seeks answers. Jesus later said that the queen of the South would rise at the judgment to condemn those who reject Him, for she traveled far to hear Solomon’s wisdom, yet One greater than Solomon has come (Matthew 12:42).
1 Kings 10:4-5 — And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings… there was no more breath in her.
She is overwhelmed by the sheer order, beauty, and abundance of Solomon’s kingdom. Notice she also observed his burnt offerings — worship was part of the witness. Excellence in both daily order and spiritual devotion testified to the wisdom God gave Solomon. Paul echoes this principle in 1 Corinthians 14:40: “All things should be done decently and in order.” A well-ordered life and reverent worship reflect the wisdom of God to the watching world.
1 Kings 10:6-9 — She said to the king… “Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.”
The queen recognizes God’s hand behind Solomon’s success. She praises the Lord for His love for Israel and His gift of a wise king. This is a high point: God’s covenant love is being recognized by the nations through Solomon’s reign. Leadership is not ultimately for self-glory but to serve others with justice and righteousness (Jeremiah 9:23-24). When leaders walk in God’s ways, the watching world sees God’s character reflected through them.
1 Kings 10:10-13 — Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices and precious stones…. King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked besides what was given her by the bounty of King Solomon.
This mutual exchange of gifts highlights the honor of the occasion. Yet notice the imbalance: she gave generously, but Solomon gave “all that she desired” from his abundance. This mirrors God’s generosity toward us. We bring Him our gifts, our worship, our obedience, but He gives back exceedingly more, out of His riches in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:20-21; Philippians 4:19).
1 Kings 10:14-21 — Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold…. All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold… none were of silver; silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon.
The sheer wealth of Solomon’s reign is emphasized. Yet the number 666 catches our attention: later in Scripture, it is associated with worldly power opposed to God (Revelation 13:18). Already we sense danger — Solomon’s prosperity could easily shift from being a testimony of God’s blessing to a temptation toward pride, excess, and idolatry. Wealth itself is not evil, but the love of it is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). How subtly abundance can dull dependence on God!
1 Kings 10:22-25 — For the king had a fleet of ships of Tarshish at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the fleet of ships of Tarshish used to come bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks…. And every one of them brought his present, articles of silver and gold, garments, myrrh, spices, horses, and mules, so much year by year.
Solomon’s kingdom becomes the hub of global trade. The nations bring wealth and tribute, fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham that in his offspring all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Yet notice again the creeping danger: exotic luxuries and accumulation dominate the description. God’s law had specifically warned Israel’s kings not to multiply silver, gold, or horses for themselves (Deuteronomy 17:16-17). Solomon is beginning to cross those boundaries.
1 Kings 10:26-29 — And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen…. And Solomon’s import of horses was from Egypt…. A chariot could be imported from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver, and a horse for 150. And so through the king’s traders they were exported to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.
Here the compromise becomes explicit: Solomon imports horses and chariots from Egypt — the very nation God had redeemed Israel from, and the very thing God had forbidden kings to rely on (Deuteronomy 17:16). Instead of trusting in the Lord, Solomon builds security in military might and wealth. What began with God’s glory now drifts toward self-reliance and compromise. The seeds of Israel’s later downfall are sown here.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 17 September 2025: Seek wisdom, not wealth. The queen of Sheba sought Solomon’s wisdom concerning the Lord, and she was not disappointed. But Solomon himself began to drift, trusting in gold, horses, and alliances instead of God’s word. Today, examine where your confidence lies. Are you seeking security in possessions, achievements, or human approval? Or are you seeking the wisdom of Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3)? Choose wisdom over wealth, integrity over compromise, faith over self-reliance.
Pray – “Lord, You are the giver of true wisdom, and in You are riches far greater than gold or silver. Forgive us when we trust in wealth, success, or human power instead of You. Guard us from compromise. Teach us to seek Your wisdom above all else, to walk in integrity, and to be a light to the nations. May our lives reflect not our prosperity but Your faithfulness, so that the world may see and glorify You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
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