1 Kings 10:9
Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD's eternal love for Israel, He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness."
Blessed be the LORD your God
This phrase acknowledges the sovereignty and supremacy of the LORD, the God of Israel. It reflects the recognition of God's hand in the affairs of Israel, a theme prevalent throughout the Old Testament. The blessing of the LORD is a common expression of praise and gratitude, seen in other scriptures such as Psalm 72:18 and 1 Chronicles 29:10.

who has delighted in you
The delight of God in Solomon signifies divine favor and approval. This echoes the sentiment found in 2 Samuel 12:24-25, where Solomon is called "Jedidiah," meaning "beloved of the LORD." It underscores the special relationship between God and Solomon, highlighting the king's role in fulfilling God's purposes.

to set you on the throne of Israel
This phrase emphasizes the divine appointment of Solomon as king. The throne of Israel is not merely a political seat but a symbol of God's covenant with David, as promised in 2 Samuel 7:12-16. Solomon's reign is seen as a continuation of this covenant, with the throne representing God's enduring promise to David's lineage.

Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel
God's eternal love for Israel is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting His covenantal faithfulness. This love is unconditional and everlasting, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:7-8 and Jeremiah 31:3. It underscores the idea that Israel's election and preservation are rooted in God's steadfast love.

He has made you king
The making of Solomon as king is attributed to God's sovereign will. This divine appointment is a fulfillment of God's promise to David and is indicative of God's control over the leadership of His people. It also points to the idea that true authority comes from God, as seen in Romans 13:1.

to carry out justice and righteousness
Justice and righteousness are foundational principles of God's kingdom, as seen in Psalm 89:14. Solomon's role as king is to embody these principles, reflecting God's character and ensuring the well-being of the nation. This mirrors the messianic expectation of a ruler who will reign with justice and righteousness, as prophesied in Isaiah 9:7 and fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Queen of Sheba
A monarch from a wealthy kingdom, likely in the region of modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia, who visits King Solomon to test his wisdom and witness his wealth and splendor.

2. King Solomon
The son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon is renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. He is the king of Israel during this account.

3. Israel
The nation chosen by God, over which Solomon reigns. It is a central location in biblical history and theology, representing God's covenant people.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, who is acknowledged by the Queen of Sheba as the source of Solomon's wisdom and the one who has placed him on the throne.

5. Jerusalem
The capital city of Israel, where Solomon's throne is located and where the Queen of Sheba visits to see Solomon's wisdom and wealth firsthand.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Leadership
Recognize that God is the ultimate authority who appoints leaders according to His purposes. Solomon's reign is a testament to God's sovereign choice and His love for Israel.

The Role of Justice and Righteousness
As believers, we are called to pursue justice and righteousness in our own lives, reflecting God's character and His expectations for leaders.

Acknowledging God's Blessings
Like the Queen of Sheba, we should acknowledge and praise God for His blessings and the wisdom He imparts to those who seek Him.

The Impact of Godly Leadership
Godly leadership can have a profound impact on a nation and its people. We should pray for our leaders to seek God's wisdom and lead with integrity.

The Eternal Love of God
God's love for His people is eternal and unchanging. This love is demonstrated through His provision and guidance, as seen in His establishment of Solomon as king.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the Queen of Sheba's recognition of God's role in Solomon's reign challenge us to see God's hand in our own leadership and governance today?

2. In what ways can we, like Solomon, pursue justice and righteousness in our personal and professional lives?

3. How does the acknowledgment of God's blessings in our lives lead to a deeper relationship with Him and a greater impact on those around us?

4. What are some practical ways we can support and pray for our leaders to seek God's wisdom and lead with integrity?

5. How does understanding God's eternal love for His people encourage us in our faith journey, especially during challenging times?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 17:14-20
This passage outlines the laws for kings in Israel, emphasizing the need for the king to follow God's law and lead with justice and righteousness, which connects to Solomon's role as described in 1 Kings 10:9.

Psalm 72
A psalm attributed to Solomon, which prays for the king to rule with justice and righteousness, reflecting the themes of Solomon's reign as mentioned by the Queen of Sheba.

Proverbs 8:15-16
These verses speak of wisdom's role in establishing just rulers, which aligns with Solomon's reputation for wisdom and his ability to carry out justice and righteousness.
Christ Appointed KingJ. Orton.1 Kings 10:9
A Queen's ExampleMarianne Farningham.1 Kings 10:1-13
Beauty AttractingHelps to Speakers.1 Kings 10:1-13
Christ the Revealer of TruthCynddylon Jones.1 Kings 10:1-13
Consulting with Jesus1 Kings 10:1-13
How to Act When PerplexedHomiletic Review1 Kings 10:1-13
Questions AnsweredE. J. Hardy, M. A.1 Kings 10:1-13
The Queen of ShebaJ. Macaulay, M. A.1 Kings 10:1-13
The Queen of ShebaJ. Parker, D. D.1 Kings 10:1-13
The Queen of ShebaR. Young, M. A.1 Kings 10:1-13
The Queen of ShebaG. M. Grant, B. D.1 Kings 10:1-13
The Queen of Sheba's VisitC. S. Robinson, D. D.1 Kings 10:1-13
The Wisdom of SolomonMonday Club Sermons1 Kings 10:1-13
The Queen of ShebaA. Rowland 1 Kings 10:1-18
The Queen of the South Versus the Men of This GenerationJ. M'Neill.1 Kings 10:4-9
The Wisdom of SolomonJ. B. Thomas, D. D.1 Kings 10:4-9
The Worth of WisdomAnon.1 Kings 10:4-9
People
Arabians, Aram, Hiram, Hittites, Ophir, Solomon, Tarshish, Tharshish
Places
Egypt, House of the Forest of Lebanon, Jerusalem, Kue, Ophir, Sheba, Shephelah, Syria, Tarshish
Topics
Age, Blessed, Delighted, Eternal, Execute, Forever, Judge, Judgment, Justice, Kingdom, Lord's, Love, Loved, Loves, Loving, Maintain, Placed, Pleasure, Praised, Righteousness, Seat, Throne
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 10:9

     1075   God, justice of
     5361   justice, human
     5581   throne
     7141   people of God, OT
     8460   pleasing God

1 Kings 10:1-9

     5345   influence

1 Kings 10:1-10

     5487   queen
     5849   exaltation

1 Kings 10:1-13

     5745   women

Library
Coming to the King.
"And King Solomon gave unto the Queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty."--1 Kings x. 13. The beautiful history recorded in the chapter from which the above words are quoted is deeply instructive to those who have learned to recognise CHRIST in the Scriptures. The reference to this narrative by our LORD Himself was surely designed to draw our attention to it, and gives it an added interest. The blessings, too, received by the Queen
J. Hudson Taylor—A Ribband of Blue

A Royal Seeker after Wisdom
'And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions. 2. And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. 3. And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not. 4. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Gift
"There came no more such abundance of spices as those which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon."--1 Kings x. 10. Mechthild of Hellfde, 1277. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 "What dost thou bring me, O my Queen? Love maketh thy steps to fly." Lord, to Thee my jewel I bring, Greater than mountains high; Broader than all the earth's broad lands, Heavier than the ocean sands, And higher it is than the sky: Deeper it is than the depths of the sea, And fairer than the sun, Unreckoned, as if the stars
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series)

Of the Weight of Government; and that all Manner of Adversity is to be Despised, and Prosperity Feared.
So much, then, have we briefly said, to shew how great is the weight of government, lest whosoever is unequal to sacred offices of government should dare to profane them, and through lust of pre-eminence undertake a leadership of perdition. For hence it is that James affectionately deters us, saying, Be not made many masters, my brethren (James iii. 1). Hence the Mediator between God and man Himself--He who, transcending the knowledge and understanding even of supernal spirits, reigns in heaven
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Meditations of the Blessed State of the Regenerate Man after Death.
This estate has three degrees:--1st, From the day of death to the resurrection; 2d, From the resurrection to the pronouncing of the sentence; 3d, After the sentence, which lasts eternally. As soon as ever the regenerate man hath yielded up his soul to Christ, the holy angels take her into their custody, and immediately carry her into heaven (Luke xvi. 22), and there present her before Christ, where she is crowned with a crown of righteousness and glory; not which she hath deserved by her good works,
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

There is a Blessedness in Reversion
Blessed are the poor in spirit. Matthew 5:3 Having done with the occasion, I come now to the sermon itself. Blessed are the poor in spirit'. Christ does not begin his Sermon on the Mount as the Law was delivered on the mount, with commands and threatenings, the trumpet sounding, the fire flaming, the earth quaking, and the hearts of the Israelites too for fear; but our Saviour (whose lips dropped as the honeycomb') begins with promises and blessings. So sweet and ravishing was the doctrine of this
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of Joseph and Solomon.
In the Old Testament there are numerous references to the Second Coming of Christ, references both direct and typical, but in every instance it was His return to the earth which was in view. The secret coming of Christ into the air, to catch up the saints to Himself, was an event quite unknown to the Old Testament prophets, an event kept secret until revealed by God to the apostle Paul who, when writing to the Corinthians upon this particular aspect of our subject, said, "Behold, I show you a mystery
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

"Let any Man Come. "
[7] "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."--John 7:37-38. THE text which heads this paper contains one of those mighty sayings of Christ which deserve to be printed in letters of gold. All the stars in heaven are bright and beautiful; yet even a child can see that "one star differeth from another in glory"
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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