1 Kings 9-10

Chapter 9: Promises of Blessings

The Lord again appears to Solomon and promises him great blessings if the Israelites are obedient and great cursing’s if they chose to forsake the Lord. Solomon reigns with power, authority and splendor. He is able to levy a tribute on all the non-Israelite residents and starts his own Navy.

Chapter 10: Queen of Sheba Visits King Solomon

Because of the great success of King Solomon as nearby Queen, the Queen of Sheba hears about this and decides to see for herself, because she did not believe what she heard. So she travels to meet King Solomon, and with her she travels as a train of camels carrying all manner of riches. When she arrives and meets King Solomon she says;

“…It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. Howbeit I believe 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 I heard” (1 Kings 10:6-7)

How often do people down play something they heard? Never. Which means that until you met King Solomon in person you would never be able to understand the kind of wisdom and wealth that he was in possession of.

It says that King Solomon exceeded the wealth of any other leader in the world at that time. It goes on to say that the entire world longed to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. He was so well liked that every year he would receive gifts of gold, silver and fine things.