Study Desk

^(C1)Now when the ^(C1)queen of ^(C2)Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon in relation to the name of the LORD, she came ^(C3)to test him with riddles.

So she came to Jerusalem with a very large entourage, with camels ^(C1)carrying balsam oil and a very large quantity of gold and precious stones. When she came to Solomon, she spoke to him about everything that was in her heart.

And Solomon ^(F1)answered all her questions; nothing was concealed from the king which he did not explain to her.

When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built,

and the food of his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their attire, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings which he offered at the house of the LORD, ^(F1)she was breathless.

Then she said to the king, "It was a true ^(F1)story that I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom.

"But I did not believe the ^(F1)stories until I came and my own eyes saw it all. And behold, the half of it was not reported to me. You have exceeded in wisdom and prosperity the report which I heard.

"^(C1)Blessed are your men, and blessed are these servants of yours who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom!

"^(C1)Blessed be the LORD your God who delighted in you to put you on the throne of Israel; ^(C2)because the LORD loves Israel forever, He made you king, ^(C3)to do justice and righteousness."

Then ^(C1)she gave the king ^(F1)120 talents of gold, and a very large amount of balsam oil and precious stones. Never again did such a large quantity of balsam oil come in as that which the queen of Sheba gave King Solomon.

^(C1)And the ships of Hiram as well, which brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir a very great number of almug trees and precious stones.

^(C1)The king made from the almug trees supports for the house of the LORD and for the king's house, and lyres and harps for the singers; such almug trees have not come in again, nor have they been seen to this day.

And King Solomon granted the queen of Sheba everything she desired, whatever she requested, besides what he gave her in proportion to ^(F1)his royal bounty. Then she ^(F2)departed and went to her own land ^(F3)together with her servants.

And all the earth was seeking the ^(F1)attention of Solomon, ^(C1)to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.