The Wealth and Fame of Solomon

INTRODUCTION: The queen of Sheba hears of Solomon’s great acts and wisdom and comes to see it for herself. When she arrives, she claims that she had not even heard the half of Solomon’s true greatness.

1. THE VISIT OF THE QUEEN OF SHEBA (1 Kings 10:1-13)
1. She Visited Solomon and His Kingdom (1 Kings 10:1-5)
1. The fame of King Solomon (1 Kings 10:1)
1. Concerning the name of the Lord
1. The false report of the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:9)
2. The authority of David over Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45)
3. Solomon built the temple unto the name of the Lord (1 Kings 5:5; 1 Kings 8:20; 2 Chronicles 2:1, 4; 2 Chronicles 6:10).
2. To be proven with hard questions
1. So did the Jewish religious leaders with Jesus (Matthew 22:15, 22-23, 33-35, 46)
2. We are commanded to be ready to answer the questions given to us (Colossians 4:6; 1 Peter 3:15).
2. The visit of the queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:2-3)
1. She came to Jerusalem with a very great train (1 Kings 10:2).
2. NOTE: Sheba is a kingdom in Saudi Arabia known for its many spices.
3. She spoke with Solomon of all that was in her heart (1 Kings 10:2).
4. Solomon told her all her questions (1 Kings 10:3). Certainly, Solomon answered her questions; but this wording seems to go further. Perhaps, he even told her what her questions were.
5. Solomon hid nothing from her (1 Kings 10:3).
3. The admiration of the queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:4-5)
1. She saw all the wisdom and riches of Solomon (1 Kings 10:4-5a).
2. She had no more spirit in her (1 Kings 10:5b); that is, she no longer had the energy to attempt to stump Solomon with a hard question (compare Joshua 5:1).
2. She Reported on the Greatness of Solomon (1 Kings 10:6-9).
1. The report she heard was true (1 Kings 10:6).
2. The half had not been told (1 Kings 10:7).
1. Concerning Solomons wisdom
2. Concerning Solomons prosperity
3. The happiness of those around Solomon (1 Kings 10:8)
1. Happy are thy men.
2. Happy are these, thy servants.
4. Blessed is the God of Solomon (1 Kings 10:9).
1. He delighted in Solomon.
2. He set Solomon on the throne.
3. He loves Israel for ever (Deuteronomy 7:6-8; 1 Chronicles 17:22).
4. He made Solomon king that he might do judgment and justice.
3. She and Solomon Exchanged Gifts (1 Kings 10:10-13).
1. The queen of Sheba gave gifts to Solomon (1 Kings 10:10).
1. 120 talents of gold (same as the gift of Hiram 1 Kings 9:14)
2. Abundance of spices
3. Precious stones
2. Solomon received treasures from the navy of Hiram (1 Kings 10:11).
1. A great plenty of almug trees
2. Precious stones
3. Solomon made use of the almug trees (1 Kings 10:12).
1. For pillars
1. In the house of the Lord
2. In the kings house
2. For musical instruments
1. Harps
2. Psalteries
4. Solomon gave gifts to the queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:13).
1. He gave her all her desire (Psalm 37:4).
2. He gave her whatsoever she asked (John 14:13-14).
3. He gave her of his royal bounty (Ephesians 3:20).
4. She turned and went to her own country.
2. THE RICHES OF THE REIGN OF SOLOMON (1 Kings 10:14-29)
1. Solomons Gold (1 Kings 10:14-15)
1. An annual income of 666 talents of gold (1 Kings 10:14); this matches the number of the beast (Revelation 13:17-18) and points to the later part of Solomons reign.
2. Further income from various sources (1 Kings 10:15)
2. Solomons Shields (1 Kings 10:16-17)
1. Two hundred targets (1 Kings 10:16)
1. A target was a larger shield made to cover the whole body; it was used by the heavy infantry (2 Chronicles 14:8).
2. The gold targets and shields were obviously used for decoration.
2. Three hundred shields (1 Kings 10:17); smaller shields used by the archers
3. Solomons Throne (1 Kings 10:18-20)
1. A great throne of ivory (1 Kings 10:18)
1. The word ivory is used 13 times in the Bible.
2. It is not used in the temple nor is it found in the New Jerusalem.
2. Overlaid with the best gold (1 Kings 10:18)
3. Six steps up to the throne (1 Kings 10:19-20)
1. Two lions beside the two stays, or armrests (1 Kings 10:19)
2. Twelve lions (six on each side) on each side of the steps (1 Kings 10:20)
4. Solomons Drinking Vessels (1 Kings 10:21)
1. All of Solomons drinking vessels were of gold.
2. All the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of gold.
5. Solomons Navy (1 Kings 10:22-23)
1. A navy of Tharshish (1 Kings 10:22; 2 Chronicles 9:21; 2 Chronicles 20:35-37)
2. The exceeding riches of Solomon (1 Kings 10:23)
6. Solomons Wisdom (1 Kings 10:24-25)
1. All the earth sought to hear Solomons wisdom (1 Kings 10:24).
2. All the earth brought gifts to Solomon (1 Kings 10:25).
7. Solomons Armory (1 Kings 10:26-29)
1. The chariots of Solomon (1 Kings 10:26)
1. 1400 chariots
2. 12,000 horsemen
3. He established chariot cities (1 Kings 9:17-19).
2. The abundance of Solomons reign (1 Kings 10:27)
3. The products of Egypt (1 Kings 10:28)
1. Horses (Deuteronomy 17:15-17)
2. Linen
4. The prices of Egypt (1 Kings 10:29)

CONCLUSION: Solomon’s riches and fame continue to increase. So much so, that people from every nation travel to hear Solomon’s wisdom and to see his greatness.