The Wealth and Fame of Solomon

1Kings 10:1-29

INTRODUCTION: Solomon received great wealth not by war but by his wise and understanding heart giving to him by God. This wisdom led queen of Sheba ( located in Saudi Arabia ) and others to give Solomon much riches.

I.                     THE VISIT OF THE QUEEN OF SHEBA (10:1-13)

A.      She Visited Solomon and his Kingdom (10:1-5)

1.       The fame of King Solomon (v.1)

a.      Concerning the name of the Lord

(1)     The false report of the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:9)

(2)     The authority of David over Goliath (1Samuel 17:45)

(3)     Solomon built the temple unto the name of the Lord (1Kings 5:5; 8:20; 2Chronicles 2:1, 4; 6:10)

b.      To be proven with hard questions

(1)     So did the Jewish religious leaders with Jesus (Matthew 22:15, 22-23, 33-34, 46)

(2)     We are commanded to be ready to answer the questions given to us (Colossians 4:6; 1Peter 3:15)

2.       The visit of the queen of Sheba (v.2-3)

a.      She came to Jerusalem with a very great train (v.2)

b.      NOTE: Sheba is a kingdom in Saudi Arabia known for its many spices.

c.      She communed with Solomon of all that was in her heart (v.2)

(1)     Moses communed with the Lord at the mercy seat (Exodus 25:22)

(2)     We enter the throne of grace with boldness (Hebrews 4:16)

d.      Solomon told her all her questions (v.3)

(1)     Certainly, Solomon answered her questions, but this wording goes further. He even told her what her questions were.

(2)     Apply this to our relationship with God

(a)     He knows what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:8)

(b)     He understands our groanings that cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26)

e.      Solomon hid nothing from her (v.3)

(1)     God reveals His secrets to his servants the prophets

(2)     God reveals His secrets to the righteous (Psalm 25:14; Proverbs 3:32; John 7:17; 1Corinthians 2:7-10)

3.       The admiration of the queen of Sheba (v.4-5)

a.      She saw all the wisdom and riches of Solomon (v.4-5a)

b.      She had no more spirit in her (v.5b); that is, she no longer had the energy to attempt to stump Solomon with a hard question (compare Joshua 5:1)

B.      She Reported on the Greatness of Solomon (10:6-9)

1.       The report she heard was true (v.6)

2.       The half had not been told (v.7)

a.      Concerning Solomon’s wisdom

b.      Concerning Solomon’s prosperity

3.       Happy are the servants of Solomon (v.8)

a.      We serve the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:24) and the living and true God (1Thessalonians 1:9)

b.      We are to serve the Lord with gladness (Psalm 100:2)

c.      We are to serve in newness of spirit (Romans 7:6)

d.      Even in eternity, God’s servants shall serve Him (Revelation 22:3)

4.       Blessed is the God of Solomon (v.9)

a.      He delighted in Solomon

b.      He set Solomon on the throne

c.      He loves Israel for ever (Deuteronomy 7:6-8; 1Chronicles 17:22)

C.      She and Solomon Exchanged Gifts (10:10-13)

1.       The queen of Sheba gives gifts to Solomon (v.10)

a.      120 talents of gold (same as the gift of Hiram – 1Kings 9:14)

b.      Abundance of spices

c.      Precious stones

2.       Solomon receives treasures from the navy of Hiram (v.11)

3.       Solomon makes use of the almug trees (v.12)

a.      A tree native to southern India also known as red sandalwood.

b.      The wood is sweet-scented and is so antiseptic that no insects can live in it

c.      The timber is very heavy and fine-grained, black on the outside and a rich ruby red on the inside

d.      The makeup of the wood makes it an excellent choice for musical instruments, as in this passage

4.       Solomon gives gifts to the queen of Sheba (v.13)

a.      He gave her all her desire (Psalm 37:4)

b.      He gave her whatsoever she asked (John 14:13-14)

c.      He gave her of his royal bounty (Ephesians 3:20)

d.      She turned and went to her own country

II.                   THE RICHES OF THE REIGN OF SOLOMON (10:14-29)

A.      Solomon’s Gold (10:14-15)

1.       An annual income of 666 talents of gold (v.14); this matches the number of the beast (Revelation 13:17-18) and points to the later part of Solomon’s reign

2.       Further income from various sources (v.15)

B.      Solomon’s Shields (10:16-17)

1.       Two hundred targets (v.16)

a.      A target was a larger shield made to cover the whole body; it was used by the heavy infantry (2Chronicles 14:8)

b.      The gold targets and shields were obviously used for decoration

2.       Three hundred shields (v.17); smaller shields used by the archers

C.      Solomon’s Throne (10:18-20)

1.       A great throne of ivory (v.18)

a.      The word ivory is used 13 times in the Bible

b.      It is not used in the temple or found in the New Jerusalem

2.       Overlaid with the best gold (v.18)

3.       Six steps up to the throne (v.19-20)

a.      Two lions beside the two stays, or armrests (v.19)

b.      Twelve lions (six on each side) on each side of the steps (v.20)

D.      Solomon’s Drinking Vessels (10:21)

1.       All of Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold

2.       None of his drinking vessels were of silver

E.      Solomon’s Navy (10:22-23)

1.       A navy of Tharshish (v.22; 2Chronicles 9:21; 20:35-37)

2.       The exceeding riches of Solomon (v.23)

F.      Solomon’s Wisdom (10:24-25)

1.       All the earth sought to hear Solomon’s wisdom (v.24)

2.       All the earth brought gifts to Solomon (v.25)

G.     Solomon’s Armory (10:26-29)

1.       The chariots of Solomon (v.26)

a.      1400 chariots

b.      12,000 horsemen

c.      He established chariot cities (1Kings 9:17-19)

2.       The abundance of Solomon’s reign (v.27)

3.       The products of Egypt (v.28)

a.      Horses (Deuteronomy 17:15-17)

b.      Linen