1 Kings 10:6

And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.

And she said {H559} to the king {H4428}, It was a true {H571} report {H1697} that I heard {H8085} in mine own land {H776} of thy acts {H1697} and of thy wisdom {H2451}.

She said to the king, "What I heard in my own country about your deeds and your wisdom is true,

She said to the king, β€œThe report I heard in my own country about your words and wisdom is true.

And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom.

Commentary

In 1 Kings 10:6, the renowned Queen of Sheba directly addresses King Solomon, confirming that the extraordinary accounts she had heard in her homeland regarding his reign and wisdom were indeed true. This verse marks the beginning of her profound admiration for Solomon, which culminates in her lavish gifts and expressions of awe.

Context

The Queen of Sheba had traveled a significant distance, drawn by the widespread fame of King Solomon's unparalleled wisdom, wealth, and administrative prowess. Prior to this direct statement, the narrative in 1 Kings 10:1-5 describes her grand arrival with a vast retinue and her intention to test Solomon with hard questions. Her declaration in verse 6 serves as an immediate validation of Solomon's reputation, setting the stage for her further astonishment at the magnificence of his court and temple, which surpassed all reports.

Key Themes

  • Truth and Verification: The Queen's journey was motivated by a desire to verify the "report" she had heard. Her emphatic statement, "It was a true report," underscores the authenticity and accuracy of what she had been told. This highlights the weight and impact of a truthful reputation.
  • Solomon's Wisdom: The core of the report concerned Solomon's "wisdom." This was no ordinary human intellect but a divine gift from God, granted in response to Solomon's humble request for discernment to govern God's people (1 Kings 3:12). This wisdom encompassed understanding, judgment, and the ability to rule justly.
  • Divine Blessing and Reputation: Solomon's "acts" and "wisdom" were tangible manifestations of God's abundant blessing upon him and, by extension, upon Israel. His fame was a powerful testimony to God's favor. This illustrates the importance of a good name, which is often said to be more valuable than great riches (Proverbs 22:1).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "true report" (Hebrew: shΔ•mu'ah 'Δ•meth) emphasizes the factual nature of the information the Queen received. It was not exaggerated rumor or speculation but an accurate account that stood up to direct scrutiny.

Practical Application

This verse offers several insights for believers today:

  • The Impact of a Godly Life: Solomon's life, though not without flaws, was so profoundly blessed by God that his wisdom and accomplishments became a compelling testimony that reached distant lands. Similarly, a life lived in accordance with God's principles can have a far-reaching positive influence.
  • Seeking Truth: The Queen of Sheba's diligent pursuit of truth, traveling great distances to verify what she heard, serves as an example of the importance of seeking and affirming truth in our own lives.
  • Evidence of God's Work: When God works powerfully in and through individuals, the results can be so evident and remarkable that they draw attention and curiosity, ultimately pointing to His greatness. Jesus Himself later referenced the Queen of the South coming to hear Solomon's wisdom as a challenge to those who rejected His own greater wisdom.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 9:5

    And she said to the king, [It was] a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom:

  • 2 Chronicles 9:6

    Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen [it]: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: [for] thou exceedest the fame that I heard.
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