And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

1 KINGS 10:5KJV
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1 Kings 10:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 10:5 mean?

1 Kings 10:5 describes the Queen of Sheba’s overwhelming reaction when she sees the splendor of King Solomon’s court, including the food on his table, the seating and service of his officials, their clothing, his cupbearers, and the special way he went up to the house of the LORD. The verse says she was so astonished that she was left breathless.

The scene takes place as the Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to test his wisdom and see his kingdom for herself. She is not only impressed by Solomon’s wisdom but also by the organization, appearance, and rituals of his royal household. The verse emphasizes the extraordinary order, wealth, and reverence in Solomon’s court, which deeply affected the queen.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 10:5

  • "meat" (אָכְלָה, 'okhlah; H3978) refers to the food or provisions served at Solomon’s table, highlighting abundance and quality.
  • "sitting" (מוֹשָׁב, moshav; H4186) points to the arrangement or seating of Solomon’s servants, suggesting careful order and hierarchy.
  • "ascent" (עֹלָה, olah; H5930) is often used for "offering" or "going up," but here it likely means the special stairway or processional route Solomon used to go up to the temple, underlining the sacredness and ceremony of his worship.
  • "spirit" (רוּחַ, ruach; H7307) means breath or spirit; saying "there was no more spirit in her" means the queen was left in awe, almost breathless or overwhelmed.

Why 1 Kings 10:5 matters

  • The verse shows that Solomon’s wisdom was not just in words but also in how he organized and honored his court and worship, impressing even foreign royalty.
  • The Queen of Sheba’s reaction highlights the fulfillment of God’s promise to make Solomon’s kingdom renowned and respected among the nations.
  • The details about Solomon’s court help the reader picture the wealth, order, and reverence of ancient Israel at its peak, connecting Solomon’s reign to the glory of God’s house.

Where else these words appear

“attendance” Hebrew H4612 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 23:28 Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;
  • 2 Chronicles 9:4 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
  • 2 Chronicles 35:15 And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer; and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.

“apparel” Hebrew H4403 · used in 7 verses

  • 2 Kings 10:22 And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments.
  • Job 27:16 Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;
  • Ezekiel 16:13 Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.

“meat” Hebrew H3978 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:4 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
  • Isaiah 62:8 The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:

“sitting” Hebrew H4186 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 10:30 And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east.
  • Leviticus 23:31 Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
  • Job 29:7 When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street!