1 KINGS 10:1-13

A. Introduction

1. In our elders’ meetings, we’re tracing the story of King , from his coronation to his burial, as recorded in 1 Kings 1-11.

As well as seeing how he points us to the ‘one greater than Solomon’, we’re going to focus in on what we can learn as elders from his life and particularly his downfall, as we seek to lead those whom God has made us overseers over.

2. In 1 Kings 1 to 9 we have seen, as the Lord Jesus describes him, ‘Solomon in all his glory’.

Along the way there have been hints that Solomon is not as glorious as he appear to be, and this will become clear in chapter 11.

But for now in 1 Kings 10:1-13, Solomon’s glory is still on display as he receives a special visitor – the .

A Gentile is drawn to ’s King. This won’t be the last time that this happens! (see Matthew 2:1- 12).

3. The visit of the queen of Sheba is going to instruct us as elders about what this local church can do to help people, whom the Holy Spirit is drawing, come to Jesus, the greater Solomon.

We see this by looking at her actions in these verses.

B. She heard

1. The queen of Sheba heard about Solomon.

“When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relation to the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions.” (1 Kings 10:1)

News reached her about the wisdom of Solomon and the way God had blessed him.

It aroused her curiosity – Who is this man? Is he really as great as he sounds?

She is determined to meet him.

2. Application.

How will people hear about Jesus? By His followers spreading the good news about Him.

We need to encourage the members of the church to be speaking to others about what they know about Jesus.

To say things that makes people want to find out more.

C. She questioned

1. The queen of Sheba wants to discover the truth about Solomon.

“Arriving at with a very great caravan – with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones – she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her.” (1 Kings 10:2-3)

She makes the journey, which was more than 1000 miles, to Jerusalem.

Once there, she asks question after question to Solomon and listens to his answers.

She wants to be certain about who Solomon is.

2. Application.

It is vital that we ensure that as a local church we provide opportunities and occasions for non- Christians to ask questions about Jesus and to get answers to their questions.

We should plead with people to take time to do this, remembering that Jesus uses the sacrifice of the queen of Sheba to find out the truth about Solomon as an example of the effort we should take to learn about Jesus and to listen to His words.

At the same time, we need to equip our members to be able to answer the questions people have about Jesus from God’s Word.

D. She saw

1. The queen of Sheba sees Solomon in all his glory.

“When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed.” (1 Kings 10:4-5)

She sees Solomon’s wisdom on display in the decisions he makes, the way he has organised his kingdom, and how he worships God.

2. Application.

Answering people’s questions about Jesus is not enough. We want to make sure that Jesus is shown to people in all His glory.

We do this by preaching Christ from all of Scripture, so that His whole person and whole saving work is put on display.

We do this by making this teaching attractive by our lives together and the way we worship Him.

One of the best things we can encourage our members to do is to invite people to our Sunday services, where they will be shown Christ from His Word and see the way His people worship Him and love one another.

E. She marvelled

1. The queen of Sheba marvelled at Solomon’s kingdom.

“She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!” (1 Kings 10:6-8)

She is impressed by what she saw – the organisation of the people, the prosperity of the people, and the joy of the people.

This leads her to praise God.

“Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness.” (1 Kings 10:9)

She recognises that only a great God could produce such a great King and kingdom.

2. Application

We must not forget that anything about us and this local church that people are drawn to is down to God’s work in us and through us and for us.

We must direct people to give Him the glory and praise.

We must call people to trust Christ and believe His Word.

F. She gave

1. The queen of Sheba gave to Solomon.

“And she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. (Hiram’s ships brought gold from ; and from there they brought great cargoes of almug- wood and precious stones. The king used the almug-wood to make supports for the temple of the LORD and for the royal palace, and to make harps and lyres for the musicians. So much almug-wood has never been imported or seen since that day.)” (1 Kings 10:10-12)

Her response to the truth about Solomon and His God is to offer what she has in service Him.

2. Application

We are to teach those who have put their trust in Christ to serve Him by using what they have.

To use their time, treasure, and talents to support the ministry of the Word, the worship of the church, and the spread of the to the nations.

G. She received

1. The queen of Sheba receives from Solomon everything that she wanted.

“King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for, besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty. Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country.” (1 Kings 10:13)

She returns to her country with wisdom and wealth.

Meeting the King of Israel was a wonderful thing for her and it is for us too.

2. Application

We must remind the church about the many blessings we have as a result of all that Christ has done for us.

As elders now, we can praise God for the blessing of the practical instruction and wisdom we have been given in these verses here in 1 Kings 10 and how they help us to help others come to know Christ and then follow Him.