Topical Encyclopedia Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, was the third king of Israel and is renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive building projects, including the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. His reign is often considered a golden age for Israel, marked by peace and prosperity. One of the notable aspects of Solomon's reign was the wealth and gifts he received from various dignitaries and nations, which underscored his international reputation and the prosperity of his kingdom.The Queen of Sheba's Visit One of the most famous accounts of gifts received by Solomon is the visit from the Queen of Sheba. The Queen, having heard of Solomon's great wisdom and the glory of his kingdom, traveled to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. The Bible records this event in 1 Kings 10:1-2 : "Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon in relation to the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones." The Queen of Sheba was so impressed by Solomon's wisdom and the splendor of his court that she gave him gifts of immense value. As recorded in 1 Kings 10:10 , "Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again did such an abundance of spices come in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon." Gifts from Other Nations Solomon's wisdom and the prosperity of his kingdom attracted the attention of many other rulers and nations, who also brought him gifts. 1 Kings 10:24-25 states, "The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart. Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift—articles of silver and gold, garments, weapons, spices, horses, and mules." These gifts were not only a testament to Solomon's wisdom but also served to enhance the wealth and prestige of his kingdom. The influx of wealth from these gifts contributed to the grandeur of Solomon's reign and the opulence of his court. Hiram, King of Tyre Another significant relationship was with Hiram, the king of Tyre, who provided materials and craftsmen for the building of the Temple. In return, Solomon gave Hiram gifts and provisions. 1 Kings 5:10-12 details this exchange: "So Hiram provided Solomon with all the cedar and cypress timber he wanted, and Solomon gave Hiram 20,000 cors of wheat as food for his household, and 20,000 baths of pure olive oil. Solomon did this for Hiram year after year." Diplomatic Marriages and Alliances Solomon also received gifts through his numerous diplomatic marriages, which were a common practice to secure alliances with other nations. These marriages often came with dowries and gifts that further increased Solomon's wealth and influence. 1 Kings 11:1-3 notes Solomon's many foreign wives, which included daughters of Pharaoh and women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and the Hittites. Conclusion The gifts received by Solomon from various rulers and nations highlight the extent of his influence and the prosperity of his reign. These presents were not merely tokens of goodwill but were indicative of the respect and admiration that Solomon commanded across the known world. His ability to attract such wealth and honor from foreign dignitaries underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to make Solomon a wise and prosperous king. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 10:10And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon. Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 9:9,23,24 Library How Solomon Built Himself a Royal Palace, Very Costly and Splendid ... How Solomon Fortified the City of Jerusalem, and Built Great ... How Solomon Grew Rich, and Fell Desperately in Love with Women and ... Solomon How David Brought under the Philistines, and the Moabites, and the ... Messianic Predictions in the Prophets. Solomon's Temple Spiritualized On Helping the Poor. The Season of Epiphany. Author's Preface. Resources Who was Solomon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWas Solomon saved? | GotQuestions.org Why did God allow Solomon to have 1,000 wives and concubines? | GotQuestions.org Solomon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Solomon is Visited by the Queen of Sheba Solomon: An Ancestor of Joseph Solomon: Anointed King a Second Time Solomon: Builds Another House for Pharaoh's Daughter Solomon: Builds his House, the Forest of Lebanon Solomon: Builds Idolatrous Temples Solomon: Cedes some Inferior Cities to Hiram Solomon: Covenant Renewed in a Vision After the Dedication of the Temple Solomon: Divides his Kingdom Into Subsistence Departments Solomon: Drinking Vessels of his Houses Solomon: Extent of his Dominions Solomon: Has Seven-Hundred Wives and Three-Hundred Concubines Solomon: His Prayer for Wisdom, and his Vision Solomon: Imports Apes and Peacocks Solomon: Justice of, Illustrated in his Judgment of the Two Prostitutes Solomon: Marries One of Pharaoh's Daughters Solomon: Military Equipment of Solomon: Musicians and Musical Instruments of his Court Solomon: Named Jedidiah, by Nathan the Prophet Solomon: Plants Vineyards and Orchards of all Kinds of Fruit Trees; Makes Pools Solomon: Prophecies Concerning Solomon: Receives Tribute (Taxes) Solomon: Reigns for Forty Years Solomon: Renews the Courses of the Priests and Levites Solomon: Son of David by Bath-Sheba Solomon: Succeeds David to the Throne of Israel Solomon: The Splendor of his Court Solomon: Their Influence Over Him Related Terms Carriage-towns (3 Occurrences) |
    |