1 Kings 10:8

Happy [are] thy men, happy [are] these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, [and] that hear thy wisdom.

Happy {H835} are thy men {H582}, happy {H835} are these thy servants {H5650}, which stand {H5975} continually {H8548} before {H6440} thee, and that hear {H8085} thy wisdom {H2451}.

How happy your people must be, how happy these servants of yours who are always here attending you and get to hear your wisdom!

How blessed are your men! How blessed are these servants of yours who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom!

Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, that stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.

Commentary

1 Kings 10:8 KJV is a profound declaration by the Queen of Sheba during her famous visit to King Solomon in Jerusalem. Overwhelmed by his unparalleled wisdom and the grandeur of his kingdom, she expresses profound admiration not only for Solomon himself but also for those who serve him.

Context of 1 Kings 10:8

This verse is situated in the narrative of the Queen of Sheba's journey to test Solomon with hard questions, having heard of his immense fame and God-given wisdom. Her visit, detailed in 1 Kings 10:1-13, highlights the peak of Solomon's reign, a period of unprecedented prosperity and international recognition for the United Monarchy of Israel. The Queen's awe is not merely for the material wealth but for the divine wisdom that permeated every aspect of Solomon's court, making even his servants enviable.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Blessing of Wisdom: The primary message is the profound blessing associated with being continually exposed to and hearing divine wisdom. The Queen perceives the servants' happiness as a direct result of their access to Solomon's God-given insight. This echoes the broader biblical theme that happiness and blessing are found in wisdom.
  • Divine Favor and Prosperity: Solomon's wisdom was a direct gift from God, granted in response to his humble request for an understanding heart to govern God's people (1 Kings 3:9). The "happy" state of his servants reflects the overflow of God's favor upon Solomon and, by extension, upon his entire household and kingdom.
  • The Value of Proximity: The verse emphasizes the privilege of those who "stand continually before thee" and "hear thy wisdom." Their constant proximity to such a divinely gifted leader was considered a source of enduring benefit and happiness.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word translated "happy" is 'ashre (אשרי), which is more accurately rendered as "blessed" or "fortunate." It denotes a state of profound well-being and contentment, often implying divine favor. It's the same word used at the beginning of many Psalms (e.g., Psalm 1:1, "Blessed is the man..."). This isn't a fleeting emotion but a deep, abiding sense of fulfillment derived from their privileged position.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Kings 10:8 offers several insights:

  • Seeking God's Wisdom: Just as Solomon's servants were blessed by his wisdom, we are blessed by seeking and hearing God's wisdom, which is found supremely in His Word (James 1:5) and ultimately personified in Jesus Christ, who is the wisdom of God.
  • The Blessings of God's Presence: Those who "stand continually before" God, living in His presence through prayer, worship, and obedience, experience true blessedness and spiritual nourishment.
  • Learning from Wise Counsel: The verse encourages us to value and seek out wise counsel and mentorship, especially from those who demonstrate godly wisdom and insight.

The Queen of Sheba's observation serves as a powerful testament to the transformative and enriching power of divine wisdom, not just for the one who possesses it, but for all who are privileged to be in its sphere of influence.

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

  • Proverbs 8:34

    Blessed [is] the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

  • Proverbs 3:13

    ΒΆ Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding.

  • Proverbs 3:14

    For the merchandise of it [is] better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

  • 2 Chronicles 9:7

    Happy [are] thy men, and happy [are] these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.

  • 2 Chronicles 9:8

    Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, [to be] king for the LORD thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.

  • Luke 10:39

    And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

  • Luke 10:42

    But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
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