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 10:13KJVWhat 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.