1 Kings 10:2-5

10:2 She arrived in Jerusalem 1  with a great display of pomp, 2  bringing with her camels carrying spices, 3  a very large quantity of gold, and precious gems. She visited Solomon and discussed with him everything that was on her mind. 10:3 Solomon answered all her questions; there was no question too complex for the king. 4  10:4 When the queen of Sheba saw for herself Solomon’s extensive wisdom, 5  the palace 6  he had built, 10:5 the food in his banquet hall, 7  his servants and attendants, 8  their robes, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings which he presented in the Lord’s temple, she was amazed. 9 

1 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

2 tn Heb “with very great strength.” The Hebrew term חַיִל (khayil, “strength”) may refer here to the size of her retinue (cf. NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV) or to the great wealth she brought with her.

3 tn Or “balsam oil.”

4 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.”

5 tn Heb “all the wisdom of Solomon.”

6 tn Heb “house.”

7 tn Heb “the food on his table.”

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

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