101 Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord , she came to test him with difficult questions . 2 So she came to Jerusalem with a very large retinue , with camels carrying spices and very much gold and precious stones . When she came to Solomon , she spoke with him about all that was in her heart . 3 Solomon answered all her questions ; nothing e was hidden from the king which he did not explain to her. 4 When the queen of Sheba perceived all the wisdom of Solomon , the house that he had built , 5 the food of his table , the seating of his servants , the attendance of his waiters and their attire , his cupbearers , and his stairway by which he went up to the house of the Lord , there was no more spirit in her. 6 Then she said to the king , "It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom . 7 "Nevertheless I did not believe the reports , until e I came and my eyes had seen it. And behold , the half was not told me. You exceed in wisdom and prosperity the report which I heard . 8 "How blessed are your men , how blessed are these your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom . 9 " Blessed be the Lord your God who delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel ; because the Lord loved Israel forever , therefore He made you king , to do justice and righteousness ." 10 She gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold , and a very great amount of spices and precious stones . Never again did such abundance of spices come in as that which the queen of Sheba gave King Solomon . 11 Also the ships of Hiram , which brought gold from Ophir , brought in from Ophir a very great number of almug trees and precious stones . 12 The king made of the almug trees supports for the house of the Lord and for the king's house , also lyres and harps for the singers ; such almug trees have not come in again nor have they been seen to this day . 13 King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire which she requested , besides e what he gave her according to his royal bounty . Then she turned and went to her own land together with her servants .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 10:1-13
Commentary on 1 Kings 10:1-13
(Read 1 Kings 10:1-13)
The queen of Sheba came to Solomon to hear his wisdom, thereby to improve her own. Our Saviour mentions her inquiries after God, by Solomon, as showing the stupidity of those who inquire not after God, by our Lord Jesus Christ. By waiting and prayer, by diligently searching the Scriptures, by consulting wise and experienced Christians, and by practising what we have learned, we shall be delivered from difficulties. Solomon's wisdom made more impression upon the queen of Sheba than all his prosperity and grandeur. There is a spiritual excellence in heavenly things, and in consistent Christians, to which no reports can do justice. Here the truth exceeded; and all who, through grace, are brought to commune with God, will say the one half was not told them of the pleasures and the advantages of wisdom's ways. Glorified saints, much more, will say of heaven, that the thousandth part was not told them, 1 Corinthians 2:9. She pronounced them happy that constantly attended Solomon. With much more reason may we say of Christ's servants, Blessed are they that dwell in his house; they will be still praising him. She made a noble present to Solomon. What we present to Christ, he needs not, but will have us do so to express our gratitude. The believer who has been with Jesus, will return to his station, discharge his duties with readiness, and from better motives; looking forward to the day when, being absent from the body, he shall be present with the Lord.