1 Kings

1 Kings 10: The queen of Sheba hears wisdom

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the queen who came to see Solomon's wisdom, let us stop and wait on the Lord together. Ask Him to make His name known in our home, and to show us the greater King.

Praise be to Yahweh God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.

Psalm 72:18

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that Your name is made known among the nations, and help us to trust You and Your Son, Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The queen of Sheba hears of Solomon's fame and comes to Jerusalem with a great caravan to test him with hard questions. Solomon answers every question, and nothing is hidden from him that he does not tell her. She sees his wisdom, his house, his food, his servants and his ascent to the LORD's house, and she is overcome. She blesses the LORD and gives the king gold and spices, and he gives her all she asks. Solomon makes a great throne of ivory and gold, and silver is counted as nothing in his days.

As you read 1 Kings 10, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD's name is made known, and the nations come to hear of His wisdom.

The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame concerning the LORD's name, and she came to test him (verse 1). She came to Jerusalem with a great caravan, and she spoke with him about all that was in her heart (verse 2). Solomon answered every question, and nothing was hidden from him (verse 3). She saw his wisdom, his house, his table and his ascent to the LORD's house, and she was overcome (verses 4 and 5). She said that the report was true, and that not even half had been told her (verses 6 and 7). Then she blessed the LORD, who delighted in Solomon and set him on the throne because He loved Israel forever (verse 9). All the earth sought Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart (verse 24). The chapter ends with Solomon's gold, chariots and horses brought out of Egypt (verses 26 to 29). Jesus said that something greater than Solomon was there (Matthew 12 verse 42).

How does 1 Kings 10 show us that the LORD's name is made known, and that the nations come to hear of His wisdom?

The LORD's name is made known among the nations.

The queen heard of Solomon's fame concerning the LORD's name, and she came to see for herself (verse 1). She came to Jerusalem with a great caravan (verse 2). All the earth sought Solomon, to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart (verse 24).

The LORD gives the king wisdom and riches.

Solomon answered every question, so nothing was hidden from him (verse 3). The queen saw his house, his servants and his ascent to the LORD's house (verses 4 and 5). Gold came to him each year, and the king made silver as common as stones (verses 14 and 27).

Jesus is greater than Solomon.

Jesus said the queen of the south came from the ends of the earth to hear Solomon's wisdom (Matthew 12 verse 42). He said that something greater than Solomon was there. Solomon's wisdom was a gift from God, but Christ is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1 verse 24).

Memorise

Blessed is Yahweh your God, who delighted in you, to set you on the throne of Israel.

1 Kings 10:9

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I seek the LORD's wisdom, and will I come to His greater King?

The queen came a long way to hear Solomon, and she ended by blessing the LORD. Jesus said that one greater than Solomon was there, and He was speaking about Himself.

Solomon had silver and gold, but Jesus gave what silver cannot buy. He obeyed the Father all the way to death on a cross, and He took the death that sinners had earned. The Father raised Him, and all authority is His today. He paid the debt in full.

So come to Him, turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. The queen traveled far, but He is near to every sinner who calls on Him. He will not throw out the one who comes to Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD's name is made known, and that Jesus is greater than Solomon. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for the greatness of His name, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Your name, Yahweh, endures forever; your renown, Yahweh, throughout all generations.

Psalm 135:13

Father, thank You that Your name is great and endures forever. Thank You for Jesus, the greater King, who came to save His people. Lead each of us to turn from sin and to trust Jesus. Make Your name known through our family this week. Amen.