Solomon is Visited by Queen of Sheba

I Kings 10:1 "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."

Chapter 10 is the last chapter of Solomon's glory days. In modern language, which I hesitate to use, Solomon lived a charmed life. He was the son of the greatest king Israel ever had. He had the blessings of the LORD on his life and his kingship which is the reason for everything going so well in his life. People came from all over to hear his wisdom and I guess to see the great buildings he built including the temple. The Queen of Sheba was no exception. She brought many gifts for Solomon and received many gifts in return.

In this chapter, we see the famous phrase often modified "the half has not been told".

v6-7 "And she said to the king, it was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. Howbeit, I believed not the words, until I came and mine eyes had seen it, and, behold, the half was not told me; thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard."

Then it goes on to describe many of the things the queen would have seen on her visit. Some of them were:

-gold that came in one year: six hundred threescore and six talents of gold:
-spices and such: from Arabia and other countries
-shields of gold: three pound of gold each shield: 300 of them*
-targets of gold: six hundred shekels of gold each one
-throne: of ivory overlaid with gold
vessels: of gold
-1400 chariots
-1200 horsemen

*Rough estimate: 3 pounds in one shield equals 48 ounces or 48,000 dollars if gold is a thousand an ounce. times 300 for the shields Total value of shield in our time: 14,400,000 dollars.

v23 "So Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom."

All this was lost when the king forsook the LORD and when Israel turned to other gods. I believe the most important thing Solomon lost though was favor with the LORD.

Psalm 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the LORD and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

Keyword: Bible study, Old Old Story, Solomon, Queen of Sheba. Solomon's wealth is described upon the visit of Queen of Sheba.