1 Kings 10 Commentary
King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. Verse 23. This chapter presents the evidence of the above statement.
The queen of Sheba comes to see for herself the great wealth and wisdom of Solomon. These are great times for the nation. The prosperity of the palace is a reflection of the wellbeing of Israel. Physical wellbeing is important because it is a representation of Israel’s victory over negative elements. These negative elements are themselves the working of sin in the world.
Like wealth, wisdom represents Israel’s partial victory over poor decisions that Adam made in the Garden of tranquility. Remember how Solomon asked the LORD for wisdom so that he could rule God’s people in the right way. In essence, Solomon is asking for portions of the missing dominion.
These things, wealth and wisdom, are not secular or completely independent of God’s purposes. In seeking wisdom for Solomon, the LORD restores an important function. In seeking wealth for Solomon, the LORD restores yet another important human function – prosperity.
Importantly, this chapter shows us the generosity of the LORD.
The LORD God so blessed Israel that the nations came to marvel at the blessings!
The saint can look forward to a time when the real Son would come. The great and powerful of the nations will marvel at the saints when the LORD appears in glory.
But no one reads this chapter without a feeling of disappointment. Is that all there is to greatness? Making shields of gold? Who would be happy with a man who uses milk to water his lawn?
Probably heavenly abundance has nothing to do with Solomon’s wastefulness and vanity. And if prosperity is only to outdo, replace, displace, or surpass a pagan competitor, how can the New Testament saint be impressed?
These lines make it clear to us that Solomon is David’s son, but only in part. The wait for the Son continued – the son born to us, the Son with the government on his shoulders. Of course, Solomon couldn’t fit the description of the Son as Isaiah would later put it: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
LOVING SCRIPTURE 