1 Kings 10:7

Verse

But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told to me. Your wisdom and prosperity have far exceeded the report I heard.

American Standard Version (1901)

Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me; thy wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame which I heard.

Bible in Basic English

But I had no faith in what was said about you, till I came and saw for myself; and now I see that it was not half the story; your wisdom and your wealth are much greater than they said.

Free Bible Version

But I didn't believe what they told me until I came and saw with my own eyes. In fact, I wasn't told the half of it—the extent of your wisdom far exceeds what I heard!

Geneva Bible 1599

Howebeit I beleeued not this report till I came, and had seene it with mine eyes: but lo, ye one halfe was not tolde mee: for thou hast more wisedome and prosperitie, then I haue heard by report.

King James (Authorized) Version

Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.

Translation for Translators

But I did not believe it was true until I came here and saw it myself. But really, what they told me is only half of what they could have told me about you. You are extremely wise and rich, more than what people told me.

Unlocked Literal Bible

I did not believe what I heard until I came here, and now my eyes have seen it. Not half was told me about your wisdom and wealth! You have exceeded the fame that I heard about.

Noah Webster Bible

Howbeit, I believed not the words, until I came, and my eyes had seen it : and behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame which I heard.

World English Bible

However, I didn’t believe the words until I came and my eyes had seen it. Behold, not even half was told me! Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame which I heard.

Young's Literal Translation

and I gave no credence to the words till that I have come, and my eyes see, and lo, it was not declared to me — the half; thou hast added wisdom and goodness unto the report that I heard.

Context

The Queen of Sheba

⁶She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your words and wisdom is true.⁷But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told to me. Your wisdom and prosperity have far exceeded the report I heard. ⁸How blessed are your men! How blessed are these servants of yours who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom!

Sermons

(Poland) Walking in the Spirit

David Wilkerson

9.4K

Summary

In this verse, the Queen of Sheba praises King Solomon for his wisdom, wealth, and prosperity, acknowledging that the reports she heard about him did not fully capture the reality of his greatness. Her visit to Solomon demonstrates the impact of his reputation and the divine wisdom bestowed upon him by God. This encounter serves as a testament to the fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon for wisdom and riches, showcasing the importance of seeking God's guidance and following His ways to receive blessings beyond measure.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it,.... That is, she did not believe the whole of what was related to her; somewhat of it she credited, and supposed there was something grand and extraordinary in it, or she would never have taken such a journey; but she did not believe that all could be true; she thought things were too much magnified: and, behold, the half was not told me; of what she now saw and heard: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard; the inward endowments of his mind, and the outward magnificence of his court, exceeded the relation of them to her; they were beyond expression, they were so great that reporters could not hyperbolize upon them, nor even come up to them in their account of them, and in which yet men are apt to exceed.