And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
Parallel translations
- WEB She came to Jerusalem with a very great caravan, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she had come to Solomon, she talked with him about all that was in her heart.
- BSB She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. So she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind.
- NKJV She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart.
- NASB So she came to Jerusalem with a very large entourage, with camels 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.
- NLT She arrived in Jerusalem with a large group of attendants and a great caravan of camels loaded with spices, large quantities of gold, and precious jewels. When she met with Solomon, she talked with him about everything she had on her mind.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The queen arrived with a great caravan of spices, gold, and jewels, and opened her heart to Solomon. It shows the wealth and earnestness she brought to her inquiry.
Overview
Her lavish caravan demonstrated both Sheba's prosperity and the seriousness of her quest, as she laid out all her questions and concerns before the king. This royal pilgrimage to Jerusalem testifies to the international fame God's gift to Solomon had produced. It anticipates the scriptural vision of kings and nations bringing their treasures to honor the LORD's chosen king (Psalm 72:10).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Acts 25:23And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth.
- 2 Kgs 5:5And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.
- Isa 60:6–9The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.
- Ps 4:4Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
- 1 Kgs 10:10And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.
- 2 Kgs 5:9So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
- 2 Kgs 20:13And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.
- Luke 24:15And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
- Exod 25:6Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
- Gen 18:33And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
- Job 4:2If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?
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Christ at the center
Solomon's glory, wisdom, and temple where God's presence dwells are a shadow of the greater Son of David — 'one greater than Solomon is here' — and of the true Temple, Christ himself.
How 1 Kings 10:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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