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. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.

1 KINGS 10:13KJV
Know the Bible

1 Kings 10:13 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 10:13 mean?

1 Kings 10:13 describes how King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba everything she wanted and asked for, in addition to gifts from his own royal generosity. After receiving these gifts, the queen of Sheba returned to her own country with her servants.

This verse comes near the end of the story where the queen of Sheba visits Solomon to test his wisdom and see his wealth. Solomon not only answers all her questions but also gives her many valuable gifts, showing his wealth and generosity as a king. The passage highlights the mutual respect and honor exchanged between two powerful rulers.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 10:13

  • "desire" (חֵפֶץ, ḥēphets): This word often means a wish, delight, or something someone takes pleasure in. Here, it emphasizes that Solomon gave the queen not just standard gifts, but also things she specifically wanted.
  • "asked" (שָׁאַל, shā'al): This word means to request or ask for something. The verse points out that Solomon responded to her personal requests, not just offering what he thought was appropriate.
  • "bounty" (יָד, yād): Literally meaning "hand," this word is often used for what someone gives or bestows. In this context, it refers to Solomon’s personal generosity, beyond any formal or expected gifts.

Why 1 Kings 10:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Solomon’s generosity went beyond formal diplomatic exchanges; he gave the queen of Sheba both what she asked for and even more from his own wealth.
  • The verse wraps up the queen’s visit, showing that her journey was successful and that she left satisfied, which underscores Solomon’s reputation for wisdom and generosity.
  • It connects to the larger narrative about Solomon’s fame and the way other nations recognized and respected his rule, which is a major theme in this part of 1 Kings.

Where else these words appear

“Sheba” Hebrew H7614 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 10:7 And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
  • 1 Chronicles 1:22 And Ebal, and Abimael, and Sheba,
  • Job 6:19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

“queen” Hebrew H4436 · used in 34 verses

  • 1 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.
  • Esther 1:16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
  • Esther 7:5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?

“desire” Hebrew H2656 · used in 38 verses

  • 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
  • Psalms 16:3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.
  • Ecclesiastes 12:10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

“turned” Hebrew H6437 · used in 128 verses

  • Genesis 18:22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
  • Judges 15:4 And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.
  • Psalms 119:132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.