Topical Bible: Kings: Presented With Gifts by Strangers

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Throughout the biblical narrative, the motif of kings being presented with gifts by strangers is a recurring theme that underscores the recognition of divine favor, the acknowledgment of authority, and the fulfillment of prophecy. This theme is particularly evident in the lives of several key figures in the Bible, most notably King Solomon and Jesus Christ.

King Solomon

King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom and wealth, received gifts from foreign dignitaries, most famously from the Queen of Sheba. The account in 1 Kings 10:1-13 and 2 Chronicles 9:1-12 describes how the Queen of Sheba, having heard of Solomon's fame and his relationship with the LORD, visited him to test his wisdom with hard questions. She brought with her a great caravan of camels carrying spices, gold, and precious stones. The Berean Standard Bible states, "And 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" (1 Kings 10:10).

This event highlights the international recognition of Solomon's God-given wisdom and the prosperity of his kingdom. The gifts from the Queen of Sheba symbolize the acknowledgment of Solomon's divine favor and the fulfillment of God's promise to make him a king of unparalleled wisdom and wealth.

Jesus Christ

The presentation of gifts to Jesus by the Magi is another significant instance of this theme. In the Gospel of Matthew, wise men from the East come to Jerusalem, seeking the newborn King of the Jews. Guided by a star, they find Jesus in Bethlehem and present Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 records, "On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."

These gifts are rich in symbolic meaning: gold represents Jesus' kingship, frankincense His priestly role, and myrrh foreshadows His suffering and death. The visit of the Magi and their gifts fulfill the prophecy of nations coming to the light of Israel's Messiah, as foretold in Isaiah 60:3, "Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn."

Theological Significance

The presentation of gifts to kings by strangers in the Bible serves as a testament to God's sovereignty and the recognition of His chosen leaders. It reflects the broader biblical theme of God's plan being acknowledged and affirmed by the nations. These narratives also emphasize the fulfillment of divine promises and prophecies, showcasing the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through history.

In both the Old and New Testaments, the act of presenting gifts to kings by foreign dignitaries underscores the universal scope of God's kingdom and the acknowledgment of His anointed ones by the world. These accounts remind believers of the ultimate kingship of Christ and the call for all nations to recognize and worship Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 10:2,10,25
And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bore 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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 5:5
And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 2:11
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented to him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The First-Fruits of the Gentiles
... Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold,
and ... tradition knows all about them: they were three; they were kings. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the first-fruits of the gentiles.htm

How Ptolemy Philadelphus Procured the Laws of the Jews to be ...
... the administration is done rashly by these kings, but all ... for he desired that the
gifts he presented them should ... And these were what gifts were sent by Ptolemy ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how ptolemy philadelphus.htm

The Coin in the Fish's Mouth
... begotten Son of the only King of kings and Lord ... the demands which He made, and the
gifts which He ... for all His conduct, when, sinless, He presented Himself to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the coin in the fishs.htm

The Census and the Journey of the Holy Family
... a lodging in the nearest houses"in vain, for Bethlehem was full of strangers, all
running ... When the three holy kings presented their gifts, the Blessed ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/x the census and the.htm

On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of ...
... are to the laity prophets, rulers, governors, and kings; the mediators ... and tithes,
and offerings, and gifts, now are oblations, which are presented by holy ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv on the management of.htm

Psalm cxxxvii. 4
... removed by conquest, under the Persian kings, from their ... for sin once made, but for
ever presented before God by ... feeling a true effect of Christ's gifts to and ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xxix psalm cxxxvii 4.htm

The Arabic Gospel of the Infancy of the Saviour (Nt Apocrypha)
... 8. And their kings and chief men came together to them, asking what they had seen
or ... And when they had gone in, and presented to her the gifts, they showed ...
/.../the arabic gospel of the infancy of the saviour/the arabic gospel of the.htm

Huss and Jerome
... be had; and to procure this, the gifts, offices, and ... shall be brought before governors
and kings for My ... Yet his arguments were presented with as much clearness ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 6 huss and jerome.htm

Huss and Jerome.
... be had; and to procure this, the gifts, offices, and ... shall be brought before governors
and kings for My ... Yet his arguments were presented with as much clearness ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /6 huss and jerome.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... time of the kings (for example, 1 Kings 12:18 ... of forbidding to receive their charitable
gifts, or even ... no popular cause could ever have presented itself under ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm