1 Reis 10

1 Reis 10

Ellicott says of these sincere sentiments, “They breathe at once the spirit of Oriental compliment, and a certain seriousness of tone, as of a mind stirred by unusual wonder and admiration.” (BORROW ALL THE WOMEN IN THE BIBLE - PAGE 198) Robert Hawker - IF the Queen of the South was so astonished in the view of Solomon’s wisdom, what ought to be thy surprise, my soul, in the contemplation of Jesus, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge? When thou didst first hear of Jesus, and when constrained by necessity to come to him, a poor, blind, ignorant sinner, how little didst thou conceive either of thyself or him! He told thee, indeed, all that was in thine heart, and made thy very spirit, like her’s, to faint within thee, when he shewed thy sin and his salvation. Surely then, and often since, even now hast thou been constrained to say, as she did, the half was not told thee by others, of what sweet discoveries he hath made to thee of himself. Think then, my soul, what holy surprise and joy will burst in upon thee in the day when, at the fountain-head of glory in his courts above, he will unfold all his beauty, love, and wisdom; when thou shalt see him as he is, and know even as thou art known! 1 Kings 10:8 "How blessed are your men, how blessed are these your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom. How blessed are your men: 2Ch 9:7,8 Pr 3:13,14 8:34 10:21 13:20 Lu 10:39-42 11:28,31 GODLY WISDOM IS A BLESSING TO HEARERS How blessed (barak; Lxx - makarios) are your men, how blessed (barak Lxx - makarios) are these your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom. Why Are Solomon’s Men and Servants "Blessed"? The Queen of Sheba recognizes that Solomon’s advisors and servants are fortunate because (1) they have constant access to Solomon’s wisdom, (2) Solomon’s divinely-given wisdom (1 Kings 3:12) was unparalleled (3) His court members could hear and learn from him every day (4) They live in a kingdom of prosperity and order (5) Solomon’s rule was marked by peace, wealth, and international fame. (6) The people under his leadership experienced stability and abundance. (7) They serve a righteous and wise king. In contrast to oppressive rulers, Solomon’s leadership was admired worldwide. His fear of the Lord (initially) made his governance just and beneficial. His fear of the LORD would soon be dissipated leading to disaster, but for now the Queen of Sheba witnessed the height of his kingdom. Peter Pett: She declared that his wisdom was such that all who served him should count themselves fortunate. How this fulsome praise must have delighted Solomon’s heart. And how dangerous it was for him. It is little wonder that he began to believe that he could do anything that he liked with impunity. He saw himself as the centre of his world, and as being beyond requiring advice or rebuke. 1 Kings 10:9 "Blessed be the LORD your God who delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel; because the LORD loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness." Blessed: 1Ki 5:7 Ps 72:17-19, delighteth, Ps 18:19 22:8 Isa 42:1 62:4 because the: De 7:8 1Ch 17:22 2Ch 2:11 to do justice and righteousness: 2Sa 8:15 23:3 Ps 72:2 Pr 8:15,16 Isa 9:7 11:4,5 32:1,2 Jer 23:5,6 Ro 13:3,4 Related Passages: Psalm 72:1-2+ A Psalm of Solomon. Give the king Your judgments, O God, And Your righteousness to the king’s son. 2 May he judge Your people with righteousness And Your afflicted with justice. QUEEN SEES GLORY OF SOLOMON & HIS GOD Blessed (barak Lxx - makarios) be the LORD your God Who delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel; because the LORD loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness This pagan queen is now praising God! She did not receive just earthly wisdom, but wisdom from on high. Many think that the Queen of Sheba became a believer in Jehovah and her "theology" would support that premise. The phrase LORD loved Israel forever implies that Solomon had explained to her the Davidic Covenant where Nathan speaking for God stated "Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”’ (2Sa 7:16) She recognizes that it was not Solomon's wisdom which gained the throne, but it was Yahweh Who made him king! And finally she acknowledges that the purpose of Solomon's rule was to to do justice and righteousness. Jewish writers believe that she was converted to the worship of the true God. William