The Queen of Sheba

The words

1. Almug Trees

   Timber, perhaps sandalwood in the NAS Hebrew lexicon.

   Hiram’s ships bring almug timber from Ophir; Solomon uses it for the LORD’s house and his own, and for musical instruments.

   1 Kings 10:11–12 (opens a new tab) · NAS Hebrew lexicon: almug (opens a new tab)

2. Camels

   The queen arrives in Jerusalem with a large company and camels carrying spices, gold and precious stones for Solomon.

   1 Kings 10:2 (opens a new tab) · 1 Kings 10:10 (opens a new tab)

3. Communed

   The queen speaks to Solomon about all that is in her heart; the narrator says he answers every question.

   1 Kings 10:2–3 (opens a new tab)

4. Ivory

   The chapter describes Solomon’s great throne as ivory overlaid with fine gold; ivory also appears among the fleet’s cargoes.

   1 Kings 10:18; 1 Kings 10:22 (opens a new tab)

5. Navy

   A fleet of merchant ships here, in the NET Bible.

   Solomon’s fleet sails with Hiram’s; the KJV describes cargoes of gold, silver, ivory, apes and peacocks arriving once in three years.

   Did you know?

   First Kings’ earlier account places Solomon’s shipbuilding at Eziongeber on the Red Sea, with Hiram supplying experienced sailors.

   1 Kings 10:22 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 1 Kings 10:22 (opens a new tab) · 1 Kings 9:26–27 (opens a new tab)

6. Ophir

   Hiram’s navy brings gold, almug timber and precious stones from Ophir; Solomon uses the wood in buildings and musical instruments.

   1 Kings 10:11–12 (opens a new tab)

7. Peacocks

   An uncertain animal identification here, according to the NET note.

   The KJV lists peacocks with gold, silver, ivory and apes among cargoes arriving once every three years.

   1 Kings 10:22 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 1 Kings 10:22 (opens a new tab)

8. Queen

   The queen of Sheba hears of Solomon’s fame, comes to test him with hard questions and sees his court for herself.

   Did you know?

   The exchange of gifts goes both ways: Solomon gives the queen what she asks, in addition to his royal bounty.

   1 Kings 10:1–5 (opens a new tab) · 1 Kings 10:13 (opens a new tab) · 1 Kings 10:6–10 (opens a new tab)

9. Questions

   The queen brings “hard questions” to test Solomon; the narrator says nothing she asks is hidden from him.

   1 Kings 10:1–3 (opens a new tab)

10. Riches

    First Kings portrays Solomon as surpassing all other kings in riches and wisdom, with visitors bringing gifts year after year.

    1 Kings 10:23–25 (opens a new tab)

11. Sheba

    Sheba is the queen’s country in the account; she says Solomon’s wisdom and prosperity exceed the reports she heard in her own land.

    1 Kings 10:1 (opens a new tab) · 1 Kings 10:6–7 (opens a new tab) · 1 Kings 10:13 (opens a new tab)

12. Solomon

    Solomon answers the queen’s questions; after inspecting his court, she says that even half his wisdom and prosperity had not been reported to her.

    1 Kings 10:3–7 (opens a new tab) · 1 Kings 10:6–10 (opens a new tab)

13. Spices

    The queen gives Solomon an exceptionally abundant gift of spices, alongside gold and precious stones; the chapter also mentions spice merchants.

    1 Kings 10:10 (opens a new tab) · 1 Kings 10:15 (opens a new tab)

14. Targets

    Solomon makes two hundred beaten-gold targets, which the NET Bible calls large shields, alongside three hundred smaller shields.

    1 Kings 10:16–17 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 1 Kings 10:16-17 (opens a new tab)

15. Throne

    Solomon’s ivory-and-gold throne has six steps, two lions beside its armrests and twelve more lions arranged along the steps.

    1 Kings 10:18–20 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 1 Kings 10:18-20 (opens a new tab)