1 Kings 10:3-8

10:3 Solomon answered all her questions; there was no question too complex for the king. ¹  10:4 When the queen of Sheba saw for herself Solomon’s extensive wisdom, ²  the palace ³  he had built, 10:5 the food in his banquet hall, ⁴  his servants and attendants, ⁵  their robes, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings which he presented in the Lord’s temple, she was amazed. ⁶  10:6 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your wise sayings and insight ⁷  was true! 10:7 I did not believe these things until I came and saw them with my own eyes. Indeed, I didn’t hear even half the story! ⁸  Your wisdom and wealth ⁹  surpass what was reported to me. 10:8 Your attendants, who stand before you at all times and hear your wise sayings, are truly happy! ¹⁰ 

1 Kings 10:23-24

10:23 King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth. ¹¹  10:24 Everyone ¹²  in the world wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom. ¹³ 

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¹ tn Heb “Solomon declared to her all her words; there was not a word hidden from the king which he did not declare to her.” If riddles are specifically in view (see v. 1), then one might translate, “Solomon explained to her all her riddles; there was no riddle too complex for the king.”

² tn Heb “all the wisdom of Solomon.”

³ tn Heb “house.”

⁴ tn Heb “the food on his table.”

⁵ tn Heb “the seating of his servants and the standing of his attendants.”

⁶ tn Heb “there was no breath still in her.”

⁷ tn Heb “about your words [or perhaps, “deeds”] and your wisdom.”

⁸ tn Heb “the half was not told to me.”

⁹ tn Heb “good.”

¹⁰ tn Heb “How happy are your men! How happy are these servants of yours, who stand before you continually, who hear your wisdom!”

¹¹ tn Heb “King Solomon was greater than all the kings of the earth with respect to wealth and with respect to wisdom.”

¹² tc The Old Greek translation and Syriac Peshitta have “all the kings of the earth.” See 2 Chr 9:23.

¹³ tn Heb “and all the earth was seeking the face of Solomon to hear his wisdom which God had placed in his heart.”