1 Kings

1 Kings 10:1-13

The queen of Sheba arrived to check out Solomon to find out if all she had heard was true.  The tested him with questions (riddles) and he answered them all to her satisfaction.  She saw his wealth and wisdom and was left breathless with all she had seen. 

In Verse 9 Sheba believed that God gave Solomon to Israel as a gift.  But Solomon was God-made king; God gave him the throne, peace, wisdom and wealth.  Solomon wasn't a gift to Israel.  God chose Israel by His grace and mercy and Solomon was created by God to serve Him and His people.

1 Kings 10:14-23

Solomon's income of gold was 666 talents a year.  This would equate to 25 tons of Gold.  The number 666 is the number of man and is connected to the beast in the book of Revelation (Rev 11:18).  This is the only other place in the bible that 666 shows up. 

The ships of Tarshish and the ships of Hiram were used in world trade.  They brought cargo to Solomon from all over the world.  No one came close to the wealth and wisdom of Solomon.  Did it bring him happiness?  Contentment?  Ecclesiastes 1:2 says, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."  He went on to say that all he had accomplished was like grasping for the wind (2:11).  With all the blessings from God, Solomon began to turn away. 

1 Kings 10:24-29

Everyone wanted to be Solomon's friend.  Everyone wanted his council and to be around all that affluence.  The gifts were offered at a regular rate; year in and year out.  The wealth is just incredible whether measured in gold, in horses or chariots or any other way.  Together, it was just amazing.  God had given a warning over 500 years prior not to multiply horses or wives, nor silver and gold, lest their hearts be turned away.  Did Solomon think he was too wise for this to happen to him?  Did he think he was capable of handling it?  As we'll see, God was right!

©2016 Doug Ford