1 Kings 10

1 Kings 10:1

QƲeen of Sheba] 2 Chron. 9. 1. Luke 11. 31. Sheba was a countrey on the south from Jerusalem, far remote, in the uttermost parts of the earth; (Matthew 12:42.) It was a place that afforded store of gold, and sweet spices, and precious stones, Psalms 72:15. Ezekiel 27:22. see v. 2.

name of the Lord] For the report went (as the truth was, Chap. 3. 12.) that the LORD had inspired him with more then ordinary wisedom.

to prove] To get evidence of his understanding and wisdom.

hard questions] Dark speehes, (Numbers 12:8.) dark sentences (Daniel 8:23.) proverbs (Hebrews 2:6.) riddles, Judges 14:15.

1 Kings 10:2

tran] Multitude of attendants, called her servants, v. 13. See Genesis 50:9.

was in her heart] Which she had before purposed, or then came into her minde.

1 Kings 10:3

told] Resolved, and expounded her doubts: or such obscure and difficult cases as she propounded.

questions] Heb. words.

1 Kings 10:4

wisedom] Effects and evidences of his wisdom.

the house] Of the LORD, together with his other houses.

1 Kings 10:5

the meat] That varietie and plenty of dishes set upon his table, and the discreet ordering of all.

sitting] A word of dignity and honour, opposed to standing: For by servants, he meaneth counsellors of state, peers, and other chief officers, who all were servants to the king: yet opposed to ministers, or attendants.

attendance] Heb. standing.

apparel] Whereby they were distinguished one from another, according to their degrees. See the notes on 2 Chronicles 9:4.

cup-bearers] Or, butlers: In regard of the plenty and variety, both of plate and drink, which they set out.

ascent] A statly gallery, or causway, or terrace, whereby he ascended out of his palace into the temple. See verse 12. A like thing is mentioned, Ezekiel 44:3. and Ezekiel 46:2. This is called the kings entry, 2 Kings 16:18. and the entrance out of it into the temple, the kings gate, 1 Chronicles 9:18.

spirit] She was so astonished, as if she had been in a swoon.

1 Kings 10:6

report] Heb. word.

acts] Or, sayings.

1 Kings 10:7

was told me] Of the greatnesse of thy wisdom, &c. 2 Chron. 9. 6.

thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame] Heb. thou hast added wisdom and goodnesse to the fame.

prosperity] Good which by thy wisdom thou hast done.

1 Kings 10:8

thy men] Thy subjects.

which stand] Attend and wait, as Deuteronomy 1:38. Proverbs 22:29. These were more neer him.

hear] As Luke 11. 8.

1 Kings 10:9

the Lord] She knew that such wisedom must needs come from above, and thereupon blesseth him. See chap. 5. vers 7.

delighted in thee] Set his favour on thee.

throne] Over the realm of Israel. It is called Gods throne. (2 Chronicles 9. because, first, All powers are of God (Romans 13:1.) and kings reign by him (Proverbs 8:1.) and kings bear his image, and are in his stead, (Psalms 82:6.) Secondly, God after an especiall manner reigneth in his church: there is his throne (Exodus 19:5-6. Psal. 132. 13, 14.) Thirdly, Solomon was by God himself deputed to be king, 1 Chronicles 28:5.

for ever] To establish them for ever, 2 Chronicles 9:8. This is true of Israel after the flesh, so long as it remained a true church: and of Israel after the spirit, everlastingly without end.

to do judgement and justice] In executing judgement to deal justly, 2 Samuel 8:15.

1 Kings 10:10

gave] Freely, as a royall queen. See Psalms 72:10.

talents] See chap. 9. 14.

1 Kings 10:11

navy of Hiram] Distinct from Solomons navy, verse 22.

almug-trees] Other then the algum-trees, mentioned 2 Chronicles 2:8. (though that name be applyed to these, 2 Chronicles 9:10.) For the algum grew in Lebanon, the almug in India. They were to be had again, these not so, as appears in the next verse. It was such as is mentioned, Revelation 18:12. if not the same.

1 Kings 10:12

pillars] Or, rails. Heb. a prop. Supporters on each side of the gallery that led from the kings palace to the temple. See verse 5.

almug-trees] 2 Chronicles 9:10.

nor seen] In Judah, 2 Chronicles 9:11.

1 Kings 10:13

of his royall bounty] Heb. according to the hand of king Solomon. In recompence of her bounty to him, vers. 10. For he would exceed her every way. See 2 Chron. 9. 12.

1 Kings 10:14

in one yeer] One after another, or every yeer.

talents of gold] See chap. 9. 14.

1 Kings 10:15

merchant-men] Factors, or customers.

of the traffick] For suffering such to bring in some, and export other commodities.

kings] That paid him tribute, being subdued by David. Many also gave gifts on good-will and gratitude, 2 Chronicles 9:24.

of Arabia] See 2 Chronicles 17:11.

governours] Or, captains.

of the land] Of that countrey, namely Arabia. They all brought gold and silver, 2 Chronicles 9:14.

1 Kings 10:16

targets] Such as captains were wont to have carried before them.

of beaten gold] To give evidence of the abundant plenty of gold which he had.

shekels] The root from whence the Hebrew word cometh, signifieth to weigh or poize. Our english word, skale, may thence be taken. Where mention is made of silver or gold, and no word of quantity expressed, a shekel useth to be understood, as here. See on Judges 16:5. A shekel of silver was in weight, half an ounce; in worth, two shillings and six pence. The Jews prized gold at ten times more in worth: so as half a shekel in gold was twenty and five shillings. By this account, every target weighed twenty five pound troy: and it was worth seven hundred and fifty pound sterling. See the notes on 2 Chro. 22. 14.

1 Kings 10:17

shields] Or, bucklers: A shield was lesse then a target. Men use to carry it on their left arms for defence.

three pound] A pound is twelve ounces: an ounce of gold was by the Jews esteemed worth fiftie shillings sterling. One pound weight worth thirty pound. Thus every shield worth ninty pound.

of Lebanon] See chap. 7. v. 2. For civill state this was the most sumptuous work that Solomon made, and his magnificence therein most manifested: and therefore those glorious targets and shields there set: Onely it is probable that they were oft carried before Solomon, as the like of brasse, before his son, chap. 14. 28.

1 Kings 10:18

throne] A seat proper to a king (Genesis 41. 40.) thereon to sit in state, chap. 22. 10. and to exercise judgement, chap. 7. 7. Psal. 9. 4, 7.

ivory] Heb. tth: Meaning elephants tooth (verse 22.) which is ivory. Herewith stately things were wont to be garnished; as houses (1 Kings 22:39.) Amos 3:15.) palaces (Psalms 45:9.) benches (Ezekiel 27:6.) beds (Amos 6:4.) vessels (Revelation 18:12.)

overlaid] Not, as the sacred things of the oracle, all over, but with such curious and artificiall work, as the white ivory, and yellow gold gave a fair lustre one to the other: as Proverbs 25:11.

1 Kings 10:19

behinde] Heb. on the hinder part thereof.

stayes] Heb. hands.

stayes] And a foot-stool of gold, 2 Chronicles 9:18.

1 Kings 10:20

the] Heb. so.

1 Kings 10:21

none were of silver] Or, there was no silver in them.

nothing accouned of] An hyperbolicall speech; for silver was brought to him, time after time, by ship (verse 22.) and given him as an acceptable present, vers. 25. But by this phrase the great abundance which he had, both of silver and gold, is amplified. See vers. 27.

1 Kings 10:22

of Thashish] That went to Tharshish, 2 Chron. 20. 36. Jerem. 10. 9. Ezekiel 27:12.

ivory] Or, elephants teeth.

apes and peacocks] Or monkies and parrets. Birds and beasts of remote countries have in all ages been accounted precious commodities for rarity sake.

1 Kings 10:23

exceeded] Chap. 4. v. 30. See the promise, chap. 3. v. 12, 13.

1 Kings 10:24

all the earth] All kings of the earth, 2 Chro. 9. 23.

sought] Heb. sought the face of.

1 Kings 10:25

a rate yeer by yeer] Or, the thing of the yeer in the yeer. A like phrase concerning day after day, is used, ch. 8. 59. Every yeer they brought their present, and that which was seasonable for the yeer.

1 Kings 10:26

And Solomon gathered together chares, and horsemen] 2 Chron. 1. 14.

a thousand and four hundred] See chap. 4. 26. Whereas in 2 Chronicles 9:25. mention is made of four thousand stalls and charets: conceive that the number of four thousand hath especiall relation to stalls: now there being in each stall four horses for every charet, the four thousand stalls will well stand with a thousand charets: as for the four hundred charets overplus, they might be in a readinesse when any of the other were out of repair.

and with the king] He ordered that some of them should be in his own court, or neer it.

1 Kings 10:27

made] Heb. gave.

silver] And gold too, 2 Chronicles 1:15.

as stones] See vers. 21.

syomore] Trees that grew in every field, and hedge-row, as abundantly as oaks and elms with us, 2 Chronicles 9:27.

1 Kings 10:28

And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt] 1 Chron. 1. 16. and 9. 28. Heb. And the going forth of the horses which was Solomons. Which had great plenty of choice horses (Isaiah 31:1.) and fine flax, Genesis 41:42. Proverbs 7:16. Ezekiel 27:7.

at a price] By compact with the king of Egypt.

1 Kings 10:29

a chariot] Drawn with four horses, or so many horses as use to draw a chariot, which are four.

six hundred shekels] The price of four horses: or of the linen drawn in a chariot.

an horse for an hundred and fifty] The fourth part of six hundred.

so for all] Other kings bordering upon Solomons kingdom had horses and other commodities by the same means.

by their means] Heb by their hand.