X.
In 1 Kings 10:1, the visit of the queen of Sheba is described
graphically and with some detail; the remainder of the chapter returns
to a series of brief notes on the government and wealth of Solomon.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE QUEEN OF SHEBA. — The name “Sheba” must be distinguished
from _Seba_, or _Saba_ (which begins with a different Hebrew letter),
(_a_) The name Seba denotes a Cushite race (Genesis 10:7), connected,
in Isaiah 43:3; Isaiah 45:14, with Egypt and Cush, and named with
Sheba (“the kings of Sheba and Se... [ Continue Reading ]
SPICES. — The “spices” of Arabia were famous in all ages. Sheba
is mentioned in Ezekiel 27:22 as trafficking with Tyre “in chief of
all spices, and precious stones, and gold.” The spices of “the
incensebearing sands” of Arabia are constantly dwelt upon both in
Greek and Roman literature. Frankincens... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THE QUEEN OF SHEBA HAD SEEN. — There is something curiously
inartificial and true to nature in the accumulation of different
impressions as made upon the imagination of the queen. First of all
comes the primary impression of Solomon’s wisdom, known by his
answering all her questions, and “s... [ Continue Reading ]
(6-9) AND SHE SAID. — These words (repeated almost word for word in
2 Chronicles 9:5) are clearly from some contemporary document. They
breathe at once the spirit of Oriental compliment, and a certain
seriousness of tone, as of a mind stirred by unusual wonder and
admiration. It is worth notice that... [ Continue Reading ]
GOLD FROM OPHIR. — The insertion of this notice is obviously
suggested by the mention of the gold and precious stones brought from
Sheba. The wood of the “almug” tree, called (apparently more
properly) the “algum” tree in 2 Chronicles 9:10, is (see Note on 1
Kings 9:25) the red sandal-wood found in... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL HER DESIRE. — The terms here employed indicate a position of
inferiority, although well graced and honoured, in the queen of Sheba.
Her present is of the nature of tribute. Solomon gives her of “his
bounty,” both what she asked for (probably by praising it) and what
else he would.... [ Continue Reading ]
TALENTS. — The word properly signifies a “circle,” or
“globe,” and the talent (among the Hebrews and other Orientals, as
among the Greeks) denoted properly a certain weight. (_a_) The
ordinary talent of gold contained 100 “manehs,” or “portions”
(the Greek _mna_, or _mina_), and each maneh (as is se... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GOVERNORS OF THE COUNTRY. — The word “governor” (_pechah_)
is supposed to be of foreign origin — possibly cognate to the
Sanscrit word _paksha_ “friend.” It is used constantly of foreign
officers, or satraps: as in 1 Kings 20:24, of the Syrian officers; in
2 Kings 18:24 and Isaiah 36:9, of the A... [ Continue Reading ]
The shields overlaid with gold — the larger called “targets,”
and the lesser called “shields” — were evidently used for
ornamenting the king’s palace, and (as we may gather from the notice
in 2 Chronicles 12:11, of the brazen shields which superseded them)
taken down and borne before the king on sol... [ Continue Reading ]
POUND — that is, _maneh_, equal (see 2 Chronicles 10:16) to one
hundred shekels.... [ Continue Reading ]
IVORY. — This seems to have been brought in by the Tyrians (1 Kings
10:22), and it may be noted that the only other notice of ivory in the
history is in the “ivory house” of Ahab (1 Kings 22:39), who was
allied with Tyre. In Psalms 45:8 (presumably of the age of Solomon) we
find mention of “ivory pa... [ Continue Reading ]
NONE WERE OF SILVER ... — See 2 Chronicles 9:27, “The king made
silver in Jerusalem as stones.” The importation of silver (see 1
Kings 10:22) was by the navy of Tarshish; and the mention of the
plentifulness of silver seems the reason for noticing the existence of
this navy.... [ Continue Reading ]
A NAVY OF THARSHISH. — There seems little doubt that the Tarshish of
Scripture is properly Tartessus in Spain, which name, indeed, is drawn
from an Aramaic form of Tarshish. For (_a_) Tarshish is first noted in
Genesis 10:4 as among the descendants of Javan, the son of Japhet,
which probably points... [ Continue Reading ]
(23-25) ALL THE KINGS. — These verses indicate the character of the
empire of Solomon, as a loosely-compacted group of tributary states
round the dominant kingdom of Israel, kept to their allegiance mainly
by the ascendency of his personal wisdom and ability, partly by the
ties of commercial interco... [ Continue Reading ]
GATHERED TOGETHER CHARIOTS. — See above, 1 Kings 4:26. This
gathering of chariots — the sign of military conquest and extended
empire — is evidently noticed here in connection with the growth of
commerce and wealth, as one of the powers which held Solomon’s
kingdom together. Josephus (_Ant. viii._ 7... [ Continue Reading ]
MADE SILVER... AS STONES. — This influx of wealth is specially noted
as enriching Jerusalem, probably without preventing the imposition of
heavy burdens on the provinces. Hence the division of interest and
allegiance manifested at the accession of Rehoboam. In the earlier
years of the reign its pros... [ Continue Reading ]
LINEN YARN. — The introduction of this seems to be an error. If the
reading of the Hebrew text is to stand, the sense appears to be,
“And Solomon’s horses were brought from Egypt; a troop of the
king’s merchants obtained a troop (of horses) at a fixed price.”
The horses were brought up (that is) in... [ Continue Reading ]
A CHARIOT. — This is the chariot and its team of two or three
horses; the “horse” is the charger. The price (though so far
considerable as to indicate a large expenditure on the whole) shows
that the supply was large, and the commerce regular.
THE KINGS OF THE HITTITES, AND THE KINGS OF SYRIA — evid... [ Continue Reading ]