Westminster Annotations, 1 Kings (3 Kings) · Chapter 10
CHAP. X.
Vers. 1. QƲeen of Sheba] 2 Chron. 9. 1. Luke 11. 31. Sheba was a countrey on the south from Jerusalem, far remote, in the uttermost parts of the earth; (Matth. 12. 42.) It was a place that afforded store of gold, and sweet spices, and precious stones, Psal. 72. 15. Ezek. 27. 22. see v. 2.
name of the Lord] For the report went (as the truth was, Chap. 3. 12.) that the LORD had inspired him with more then ordinary wisedom.
to prove] To get evidence of his understanding and wisdom.
hard questions] Dark spee…hes, (Numb. 12. 8.) dark sentences (Dan. 8. 23.) proverbs (Heb. 2. 6.) riddles, Judg. 14. 15.
V. 2. tra…n] Multitude of attendants, called her servants, v. 13. See Gen. 50. 9.
was in her heart] Which she had before purposed, or then came into her minde.
V. 3. told] Resolved, and expounded her doubts: or such obscure and difficult cases as she propounded.
questions] Heb. words.
V. 4. wisedom] Effects and evidences of his wisdom.
the house] Of the LORD, together with his other houses.
V. 5. the meat] That varietie and plenty of dishes set upon his table, and the discreet ordering of all.
sitting] A word of dignity and honour, opposed to standing: For by servants, he meaneth counsellors of state, peers, and other chief officers, who all were servants to the king: yet opposed to ministers, or attendants.
attendance] Heb. standing.
apparel] Whereby they were distinguished one from another, according to their degrees. See the notes on 2 Chron. 9. 4.
cup-bearers] Or, butlers: In regard of the plenty and variety, both of plate and drink, which they set out.
ascent] A stat…ly gallery, or causway, or terrace, whereby he ascended out of his palace into the temple. See verse 12. A like thing is mentioned, Ezek. 44. 3. and 46. 2. This is called the kings entry, 2 King. 16. 18. and the entrance out of it into the temple, the kings gate, 1 Chron. 9. 18.
spirit] She was so astonished, as if she had been in a swoon.
V. 6. report] Heb. word.
acts] Or, sayings.
V. 7. was told me] Of the greatnesse of thy wisdom, &c. 2 Chron. 9. 6.
thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame] Heb. thou hast added wisdom and goodnesse to the fame.
prosperity] Good which by thy wisdom thou hast done.
V. 8. thy men] Thy subjects.
which stand] Attend and wait, as Deut. 1. 38. Prov. 22. 29. These were more neer him.
hear] As Luke 11. …8.
V. 9. the Lord] She knew that such wisedom must needs come from above, and thereupon blesseth him. See chap. 5. vers 7.
delighted in thee] Set his favour on thee.
throne] Over the realm of Israel. It is called Gods throne. (2 Chr. 9. because, first, All powers are of God (Rom. 13. 1.) and kings reign by him (Prov. 8. 1.) and kings bear his image, and are in his stead, (Psal. 82. 6.) Secondly, God after an especiall manner reigneth in his church: there is his throne (Exod. 19. 5, 6. Psal. 132. 13, 14.) Thirdly, Solomon was by God himself deputed to be king, 1 Chron. 28. 5.
for ever] To establish them for ever, 2 Chron. 9. 8. This is true of Israel after the flesh, so long as it remained a true church: and of Israel after the spirit, everlastingly without end.
to do judgement and justice] In executing judgement to deal justly, 2 Sam. 8. 15.
V. 10. gave] Freely, as a royall queen. See Psal. 72. 10.
talents] See chap. 9. 14.
V. 11. navy of Hiram] Distinct from Solomons navy, verse 22.
almug-trees] Other then the algum-trees, mentioned 2 Chr. 2. 8. (though that name be applyed to these, 2 Chro. 9. 10.) For the algum grew in Lebanon, the almug in India. They were to be had again, these not so, as appears in the next verse. It was such as is mentioned, Revel. 18. 12. if not the same.
V. 12. pillars] Or, rails. Heb. a prop. Supporters on each side of the gallery that led from the kings palace to the temple. See verse 5.
almug-trees] 2 Chron. 9. 10.
nor seen] In Judah, 2 Chron. 9. 11.
V. 13. of his royall bounty] Heb. according to the hand of king Solomon. In recompence of her bounty to him, vers. 10. For he would exceed her every way. See 2 Chron. 9. 12.
V. 14. in one yeer] One after another, or every yeer.
talents of gold] See chap. 9. 14.
V. 15. merchant-men] Factors, or customers.
of the traffick] For suffering such to bring in some, and export other commodities.
kings] That paid him tribute, being subdued by David. Many also gave gifts on good-will and gratitude, 2 Chron. 9. 24.
of Arabia] See 2 Chron. 17. 11.
governours] Or, captains.
of the land] Of that countrey, namely Arabia. They all brought gold and silver, 2 Chron. 9. 14.
V. 16. targets] Such as captains were wont to have carried before them.
of beaten gold] To give evidence of the abundant plenty of gold which he had.
shekels] The root from whence the Hebrew word cometh, signifieth to weigh or poize. Our english word, skale, may thence be taken. Where mention is made of silver or gold, and no word of quantity expressed, a shekel useth to be understood, as here. See on Judg. 16. 5. A shekel of silver was in weight, half an ounce; in worth, two shillings and six pence. The Jews prized gold at ten times more in worth: so as half a shekel in gold was twenty and five shillings. By this account, every target weighed twenty five pound troy: and it was worth seven hundred and fifty pound sterling. See the notes on 2 Chro. 22. 14.
V. 17. shields] Or, bucklers: A shield was lesse then a target. Men use to carry it on their left arms for defence.
three pound] A pound is twelve ounces: an ounce of gold was by the Jews esteemed worth fiftie shillings sterling. One pound weight worth thirty pound. Thus every shield worth ninty pound.
of Lebanon] See chap. 7. v. 2. For civill state this was the most sumptuous work that Solomon made, and his magnificence therein most manifested: and therefore those glorious targets and shields there set: OnelyOnly it is probable that they were oft carried before Solomon, as the like of brasse, before his son, chap. 14. 28.
V. 18. throne] A seat proper to a king (Gen 41. 40.) thereon to sit in state, chap. 22. 10. and to exercise judgement, chap. 7. 7. Psal. 9. 4, 7.
ivory] Heb. t…th: Meaning elephants tooth (verse 22.) which is ivory. Herewith stately things were wont to be garnished; as houses (1 King. 22. 39.) Amos 3. 15.) palaces (Psal. 45. 9.) benches (Ezek. 27. 6.) beds (Amos 6. 4.) vessels (Revel. 18. 12.)
overlaid] Not, as the sacred things of the oracle, all over, but with such curious and artificiall work, as the white ivory, and yellow gold gave a fair lustre one to the other: as Prov. 25. 11.
V. 19. behinde] Heb. on the hinder part thereof.
stayes] Heb. hands.
stayes] And a foot-stool of gold, 2 Chron. 9. 18.
V. 20. the] Heb. so.
V. 21. none were of silver] Or, there was no silver in them.
nothing accoun…ed of] An hyperbolicall speech; for silver was brought to him, time after time, by ship (verse 22.) and given him as an acceptable present, vers. 25. But by this phrase the great abundance which he had, both of silver and gold, is amplified. See vers. 27.
V. 22. of Tha…shish] That went to Tharshish, 2 Chron. 20. 36. Jerem. 10. 9. Ezek. 27. 12.
ivory] Or, elephants teeth.
apes and peacocks] Or monkies and parrets. Birds and beasts of remote countries have in all ages been accounted precious commodities for rarity sake.
V. 23. exceeded] Chap. 4. v. 30. See the promise, chap. 3. v. 12, 13.
V. 24. all the earth] All kings of the earth, 2 Chro. 9. 23.
sought] Heb. sought the face of.
V. 25. a rate yeer by yeer] Or, the thing of the yeer in the yeer. A like phrase concerning day after day, is used, ch. 8. 59. Every yeer they brought their present, and that which was seasonable for the yeer.
V. 26. And Solomon gathered together chare…s, and horsemen] 2 Chron. 1. 14.
a thousand and four hundred] See chap. 4. 26. Whereas in 2 Chron. 9. 25. mention is made of four thousand stalls and charets: conceive that the number of four thousand hath especiall relation to stalls: now there being in each stall four horses for every charet, the four thousand stalls will well stand with a thousand charets: as for the four hundred charets overplus, they might be in a readinesse when any of the other were out of repair.
and with the king] He ordered that some of them should be in his own court, or neer it.
V. 27. made] Heb. gave.
silver] And gold too, 2 Chron. 1. 15.
as stones] See vers. 21.
sy…omore] Trees that grew in every field, and hedge-row, as abundantly as oaks and elms with us, 2 Chron. 9. 27.
V. 28. And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt] 1 Chron. 1. 16. and 9. 28. Heb. And the going forth of the horses which was Solomons. Which had great plenty of choice horses (Isai. 31. 1.) and fine flax, Gen. 41. 42. Prov. 7. 16. Ezek. 27. 7.
at a price] By compact with the king of Egypt.
V. 29. a chariot] Drawn with four horses, or so many horses as use to draw a chariot, which are four.
six hundred shekels] The price of four horses: or of the linen drawn in a chariot.
an horse for an hundred and fifty] The fourth part of six hundred.
so for all] Other kings bordering upon Solomons kingdom had horses and other commodities by the same means.
by their means] Heb by their hand.