1 Kings 10:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
In 1 Kings 10:6, the Queen of Sheba, having journeyed from her distant land, directly confirms to King Solomon that the widespread reports she had received concerning his remarkable accomplishments and unparalleled wisdom were entirely accurate. This declaration serves as a pivotal moment, validating Solomon’s divinely bestowed reputation and setting the stage for her profound awe and lavish tribute, acknowledging the surpassing reality of his glory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the beginning of the highly anticipated encounter between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, following the narrative's build-up regarding Solomon's immense fame. [1 Kings 10:1-5](/1_kings/10-1 "1 Kings 10:1-5 - The Queen of Sheba's Arrival") describes her grand arrival in Jerusalem, laden with gifts, and her explicit intention to "test him with hard questions." Her statement in verse 6, therefore, is not merely a polite greeting but a profound affirmation that her extensive travel and initial observations have already validated the extraordinary claims about Solomon. It immediately shifts the narrative from anticipation and testing to an acknowledgment of truth and an unfolding revelation of Solomon's even greater reality, which subsequently surpasses all reports, as detailed in [1 Kings 10:7](/1_kings/10-7 "1 Kings 10:7 - The Reality Exceeds the Report").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Queen of Sheba likely hailed from the ancient kingdom of Saba, located in modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia, a region renowned for its wealth in gold, spices, and precious stones, and its strategic position on key trade routes. Royal visits between monarchs were common in the ancient Near East, often serving diplomatic, economic, or intellectual purposes. Such journeys were arduous and costly, underscoring the extraordinary nature of the reports about Solomon that compelled her to undertake such an expedition. Solomon's reign (c. 970-931 BC) marked a zenith of Israelite power, wealth, and influence, largely due to his strategic alliances, extensive trade networks, and the divine wisdom that enabled him to govern effectively and build magnificent structures like the Temple in Jerusalem. The "reports" she heard would have traveled along these established trade routes, carried by merchants and travelers, testament to the widespread recognition of Solomon's kingdom.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully underscores several major themes within 1 Kings and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Wisdom and its Manifestation**. Solomon's wisdom was not merely human intellect but a direct, divinely granted gift from God, given in response to his humble request for discernment to judge God's people ([1 Kings 3:9-12](/1_kings/3-9 "1 Kings 3:9-12 - Solomon Asks for Wisdom")). This wisdom manifested in his judicial decisions, administrative prowess, and even his understanding of the natural world ([1 Kings 4:29-34](/1_kings/4-29 "1 Kings 4:29-34 - Solomon's Unparalleled Wisdom")). Secondly, the verse speaks to the **Power of a Godly Reputation**. The fame of Solomon's "acts and wisdom" reached distant lands, drawing even foreign monarchs to witness God's blessing upon Israel. This aligns with the biblical principle that a good name is more valuable than great riches ([Proverbs 22:1](/proverbs/22-1 "Proverbs 22:1 - A Good Name Is More Desirable Than Great Riches")). Finally, it emphasizes the **Verification of Truth**. The Queen's journey was driven by a desire to ascertain the veracity of what she had heard, and her statement confirms that the reality not only met but ultimately exceeded the reports, providing undeniable proof of God's work through Solomon.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Report (Hebrew, _shĕmu'ah'_):** This word refers to a "report," "rumor," or "tidings." In this context, combined with "true," it emphasizes information that has been heard and transmitted. The Queen's use of it here signifies that the information she received was not mere idle gossip but substantial news that warranted investigation. The fact that she traveled so far to verify it speaks to the compelling nature of this "report" and its widespread dissemination.
* **True (Hebrew, _'ĕmeth'_):** This word denotes "truth," "faithfulness," or "firmness." When paired with "report," it asserts the factual accuracy and reliability of the information. The Queen's emphatic declaration that the report was "true" validates Solomon's reputation and underscores the reality of his wisdom and accomplishments, indicating that what she saw matched or even surpassed what she had been told.
* **Acts (Hebrew, _davar'_):** While often translated as "word," in this context, _davar_ refers to "matter," "affair," "deed," or "thing." Here, it encompasses Solomon's administrative achievements, his building projects (like the Temple and his palace), his judicial decisions, and the general prosperity and order of his kingdom. It speaks to the tangible, observable manifestations of his reign, complementing his abstract "wisdom."
* **Wisdom (Hebrew, _chokhmah'_):** This term signifies "skill," "prudence," "insight," and "discernment." In Solomon's case, it refers specifically to the divine gift that enabled him to govern justly, understand complex issues, and possess unparalleled knowledge. This was the primary attribute for which he was renowned, and it was the source of the "acts" that the Queen observed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she said to the king":** This phrase indicates a direct, formal address from the Queen to Solomon. It marks the culmination of her initial observation and testing, signifying her readiness to articulate her findings. Her statement is a personal, authoritative declaration, not a mere casual remark.
* **"It was a true report that I heard in mine own land":** This clause is the core of her validation. "True report" emphasizes the factual accuracy of the information she had received. The phrase "in mine own land" highlights the vast geographical distance the report had traveled, underscoring the widespread nature of Solomon's fame and the compelling reason for her arduous journey. It implies that she had heard extraordinary things that seemed almost unbelievable until now.
* **"of thy acts and of thy wisdom":** This specifies the content of the "true report." "Acts" refers to the tangible accomplishments and administrative excellence of Solomon's reign—his building projects, his judicial decisions, the prosperity of his kingdom. "Wisdom" refers to his intellectual and spiritual discernment, the foundational quality that enabled his "acts." Together, these two aspects encompass the full scope of his renowned reputation, indicating that both his practical achievements and his profound insight were accurately reported.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Direct Speech**, giving the Queen of Sheba's declaration immediate impact and authenticity. Her words serve as a powerful **Confirmation** of Solomon's reputation, lending credibility to the preceding accounts of his unparalleled wisdom and wealth. The narrative uses **Understatement** in the sense that the "report" she heard, while true, would soon be revealed as insufficient to capture the full glory she witnessed (as stated in [1 Kings 10:7](/1_kings/10-7 "1 Kings 10:7 - The Reality Exceeds the Report")). There is also an element of **Validation**, as her statement serves to affirm the divine source of Solomon's wisdom and the blessing upon his kingdom, which had been extensively described in previous chapters. The very act of her journey and subsequent affirmation creates a narrative arc of **Anticipation and Fulfillment**, where the reports create anticipation, and her statement begins the fulfillment of that anticipation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Queen of Sheba's declaration serves as a powerful testament to the far-reaching impact of God's blessing and wisdom upon Solomon. His "acts and wisdom" were not merely human achievements but direct manifestations of the divine favor bestowed upon him in response to his humble request for a discerning heart to govern God's people ([1 Kings 3:9-12](/1_kings/3-9 "1 Kings 3:9-12 - God Grants Solomon Wisdom")). This divinely-empowered wisdom brought prosperity and renown to Israel, drawing even distant pagan monarchs to witness God's glory. The Queen's journey and subsequent affirmation underscore that God's work in His chosen servants can have a global witness, demonstrating His power and truth to those outside the covenant community. Her recognition of Solomon's unparalleled wisdom foreshadows a greater wisdom yet to come, a wisdom that would challenge and invite all nations.

* [1 Kings 3:12](/1_kings/3-12 "1 Kings 3:12 - God Grants Solomon Wisdom")
* [Proverbs 22:1](/proverbs/22-1 "Proverbs 22:1 - A Good Name Is More Desirable Than Great Riches")
* [Matthew 12:42](/matthew/12-42 "Matthew 12:42 - The Queen of the South and Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Queen of Sheba's journey and her emphatic declaration in 1 Kings 10:6 offer profound insights for contemporary believers. Her diligent pursuit of truth, traveling great distances to verify what she had heard, challenges us to be people who actively seek and affirm truth in a world often saturated with misinformation and superficiality. Solomon's life, though not without its later flaws, demonstrates the immense impact a life lived in alignment with God's wisdom can have. His "acts and wisdom" became a compelling testimony that reached distant lands, influencing even those outside the covenant. This reminds us that our lives, when submitted to God and empowered by His Spirit, can become powerful witnesses to His reality and goodness, drawing others to inquire about the source of our hope and wisdom. We are called to live lives of integrity and excellence, allowing the truth of God's transformative power to be evident in our character and deeds, so that our "report" might also be "true" and compelling to those around us, ultimately pointing them to God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "reports" about God's work in the world are you hearing today, and what is your posture towards verifying them?**
* **In what ways can your "acts and wisdom" (your daily life and choices) serve as a compelling and "true report" about God to those in your sphere of influence?**
* **How does the Queen of Sheba's diligent pursuit of truth inspire you to seek deeper understanding of God's Word and His will for your life?**

### FAQ
**Who was the Queen of Sheba, and why did she visit Solomon?**

Answer: The Queen of Sheba was the monarch of an ancient kingdom, likely located in modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia, known for its wealth in spices, gold, and precious stones. She visited King Solomon primarily because of the widespread and extraordinary reports she had heard concerning his unparalleled wisdom and the immense prosperity of his kingdom. Her visit was motivated by a desire to personally verify these accounts and to "test him with hard questions," seeking to ascertain the truth of his reputation. Her journey highlights the significant impact of Solomon's fame, which had spread far beyond Israel's borders, drawing a powerful foreign dignitary to witness God's blessing firsthand.

**What was so significant about Solomon's wisdom that it drew a foreign queen?**

Answer: Solomon's wisdom was not merely intellectual prowess; it was a divine gift from God, granted in response to his humble prayer for a discerning heart to govern God's people ([1 Kings 3:9-12](/1_kings/3-9 "1 Kings 3:9-12 - God Grants Solomon Wisdom")). This wisdom manifested in his ability to render just judgments, his administrative skill in organizing his vast kingdom, his profound understanding of the natural world, and his capacity to compose thousands of proverbs and songs ([1 Kings 4:29-34](/1_kings/4-29 "1 Kings 4:29-34 - Solomon's Unparalleled Wisdom")). Such comprehensive wisdom, coupled with the immense wealth and stability of his reign, was unprecedented in the ancient world, making him a figure of international renown and drawing curious and admiring visitors like the Queen of Sheba.

**What is the significance of the Queen stating, "It was a true report"?**

Answer: The Queen's declaration, "It was a true report," is highly significant because it validates the divine source of Solomon's wisdom and the reality of God's blessing upon Israel. It confirms that the extraordinary accounts of Solomon's greatness were not exaggerated rumors but accurate descriptions of a reality that, as she later states, "the half was not told me" ([1 Kings 10:7](/1_kings/10-7 "1 Kings 10:7 - The Reality Exceeds the Report")). This statement serves as an external, unbiased testimony to God's work through Solomon, demonstrating that God's glory and truth can be recognized even by those outside the covenant, compelling them to seek and acknowledge Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Queen of Sheba's journey to hear the wisdom of Solomon and her declaration that the "report" was true, yet the reality surpassed it, beautifully prefigures the ultimate and greater reality found in Jesus Christ. Solomon, with all his divinely granted wisdom and glory, was but a shadow of the Son of God. Jesus Himself declared, "The Queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here" ([Matthew 12:42](/matthew/12-42 "Matthew 12:42 - The Queen of the South and Jesus")). While the Queen traveled great distances to witness Solomon's earthly wisdom and fleeting glory, humanity's greatest King, Jesus, the very embodiment of God's wisdom ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ, Our Wisdom")), came to us. His "acts"—His miracles, teachings, perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection—are not merely reported but are eternally true and infinitely more glorious than anything Solomon achieved. The "report" of the Gospel, proclaiming Christ's saving work and His eternal reign, is the ultimate "true report" that invites all people, from every land, to come and behold a glory that not only surpasses all earthly kings but offers eternal life and true wisdom to all who believe ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") ; [Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ Are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.