1 Kings Chapter 10
The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon
1 When the queen of Sheba heard about Solomon’s fame that honored Yahveh, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. 2 She came with a large retinue, and with camels carrying spices, lots of gold, and precious stones. She talked to him about everything that was on her mind. 3 He answered all her questions and explained everything. 4 She saw his wisdom, the palace he’d built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attendance of his waiters and their attire, his cupbearers, and his stairway up to Yahveh’s Temple. It took her breath away.
6 “What I heard in my country about your words and wisdom was true. 7 But I didn’t believe it till I saw it. I hadn’t heard half of it. You exceed the report I heard about your prosperity. 8 How fortunate your officials are, being around you continually and listening to your wisdom! 9 Bless Yahveh your God who delighted to set you on Israel’s throne. Because he loved Israel forever, he made you king to do justice and goodness.”
10 She gave him 4½ tons 120 talents of gold and large amounts of spices and precious stones. Never again did such an abundance of spices come in as she brought him.
11 Hiram’s ships that brought gold from Ophir also brought large quantities of almug wood and precious stones. 12 From the almug wood, the king made railings for Yahveh’s Temple and his own palace, as well as lyres and harps for the singers. Such almug wood hasn’t come in again or been seen since.
13 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba everything she asked for besides what he gave her on his own. Then she and her attendants went back to her country. 1 Kg 10:1-13
Solomon’s Wealth and Splendor
14 Each year, 25¼ tons 666 talents of gold came in to Solomon 15 besides what came in from traders, merchants’ wares, the kings of Arabia, and governors of the country. 16 He made 200 large shields of beaten gold, using 15 lbs 600 shekels of gold on each one. 17 He made 300 shields of beaten gold, using 3¾ lbs 3 minas of gold on each one. He put them in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. 18 In addition, he made a large throne out of ivory, overlaid with refined gold. 19 There were 6 steps up to it, a round top on the back of it, arms on each side of the seat, and 2 lions standing beside them. 20 12 lions stood on the 2 sides of the 6 steps. Nothing like it was ever made for any other kingdom. 21 His drinking cups were made out of gold; the items for the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. There weren’t any silver ones; it wasn’t considered valuable in his time. 22 At sea he had the ships of Tarshish with Hiram’s ships. Every three years ships came from Tarshish, bringing gold and silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
23 King Solomon became wealthier and wiser than all the other kings in the world. 24 The whole world wanted to be around him to hear the wisdom God had put in him. 25 Everybody brought a gift, silver and gold articles, clothes, weapons, spices, horses, and mules, so much each year. 1 Kg 10:14-25
26 Solomon gathered 1,400 chariots and 12,000 calvary and stationed them in chariot cities and in Jerusalem. 27 He made silver as common as stone in Jerusalem, and cedars as plentiful as sycamores in the lower western hills. 28 His merchants obtained horses from Egypt and Kue for a price. 29 He imported Egyptian chariots for 15 lbs 600 shekels of silver each and horses for 3¾ lbs 150 shekels of silver apiece. Then he exported them to the kings of the Hittites and of Aram. 1 Kg 10:26-29