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New Testament
1 Kings 10:1-13
The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon
101The Queen of Sheba heard about Solomon's fame, which was connected with the fame of the Lord, so she came to test him with hard questions. 2She came to Jerusalem with a very great entourage[]—with camels carrying spices and a large quantity of gold and precious stones. She came to Solomon and told him everything that was on her heart.
3Solomon answered all her questions. There was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her.
4The Queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon, the house which he built, 5and the food on his table. When she saw the council meeting of his officials, the careful attention of his ministers,[] as well as their attire, his cupbearers, and the whole burnt offerings which he offered at the House of the Lord,[] it took her breath away.
6She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your accomplishments[] and your wisdom is true. 7I did not believe the report until I came and saw it with my own eyes. The truth is, not even half of it was told to me! Your wisdom and wealth surpass the report which I heard. 8Blessed are your men, blessed are your servants, who stand before you continually hearing your wisdom! 9May the Lord your God be blessed, who was pleased to put you on the throne of Israel. Because the Lord loves Israel forever, he made you king to administer justice and righteousness.”
10Then she gave the king one hundred twenty talents[] of gold and a great quantity of spices and many precious stones. There was never again anything comparable to the huge amount of spices and incense which the Queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
11In addition, Hiram's fleet brought gold from Ophir and a great quantity of almug[] wood and also precious stones. 12The king made the almug wood into steps[] for the Lord's house and for the house of the king, as well as lyres and harps for his singers. So much fine almug wood has never been brought or seen to this present day.
13King Solomon gave to the Queen of Sheba all she desired, whatever she asked for, besides what he had given to her from his royal resources. Then she and her servants returned to her country.
Footnotes
- 10:2 Or a very impressive display of wealth
- 10:5 Literally the sitting of his servants and the standing of his ministers
- 10:5 Or the passageway by which he went up to the House of the Lord. Passageway is the main reading in the parallel text in 2 Chronicles 9:4. Whole burnt offerings is the reading of 1 Kings 10:5. The context seems to favor reference to something impressive about the palace.
- 10:6 Or words
- 10:10 About nine thousand pounds, though the weight of a talent is uncertain.
- 10:11 Perhaps a type of sandalwood. The parallels in 2 Chronicles 2:8 and 9:10–11 reverse the consonants and read algum wood.
- 10:12 Or supports