2 Samuel 10
1 Kings 10 depicts scenes of King Solomon’s wisdom, his wealth, and his fame spreading beyond the borders of Israel and reaching the world. In particular, the story of the Queen of Sheba visiting Solomon forms the focus, and in the latter part, Solomon’s prosperity and Israel’s flourishing are described in detail.
1verseAfter this, the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place.
2verseDavid said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent by his servants to comfort him concerning his father. David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
3verseBut the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think that David honors your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Hasn’t David sent his servants to you to search the city, to spy it out, and to overthrow it?”
4verseSo Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.
5verseWhen they told David this, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, “Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return.”
6verseWhen the children of Ammon saw that they had become odious to David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob and the Syrians of Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Maacah with one thousand men, and the men of Tob twelve thousand men.
7verseWhen David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men.
8verseThe children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entrance of the gate. The Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the field.
9verseNow when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel and put them in array against the Syrians.
10verseThe rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and he put them in array against the children of Ammon.
11verseHe said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.
12verseBe courageous, and let’s be strong for our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what seems good to him.”
13verseSo Joab and the people who were with him came near to the battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him.
14verseWhen the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered into the city. Then Joab returned from the children of Ammon and came to Jerusalem.
15verseWhen the Syrians saw that they were defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together.
16verseHadadezer sent and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the River; and they came to Helam, with Shobach the captain of the army of Hadadezer at their head.
17verseDavid was told that; and he gathered all Israel together, passed over the Jordan, and came to Helam. The Syrians set themselves in array against David and fought with him.
18verseThe Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed seven hundred charioteers of the Syrians and forty thousand horsemen, and struck Shobach the captain of their army, so that he died there.
19verseWhen all the kings who were servants to Hadadezer saw that they were defeated before Israel, they made peace with Israel and served them. So the Syrians were afraid to help the children of Ammon any more.
The Visit of the Queen of Sheba (Verses 1–13)
The Queen of Sheba hears of Solomon’s fame and comes to Jerusalem with difficult questions. She personally confirms how great Solomon’s wisdom is and how greatly blessed he is by God. The Queen of Sheba is amazed by Solomon’s wisdom, God, and the abundance of the nation, and she brings valuable gifts to Solomon. Through this visit, Solomon’s fame is raised to an international level, and the status of the kingdom of Israel is revealed once again.
Solomon’s Wealth and Prosperity (Verses 14–29)
Next, the author describes in detail the wealth and glory enjoyed by Solomon. We see the amount of gold Solomon brought in, his magnificent throne and banqueting tables, articles made from valuable materials, and the scenes of kings from various regions bringing offerings to Solomon. Also, Solomon’s flourishing maritime trade and military/economic prosperity—such as horses and chariots—appear as well. All of this emphasizes the prosperity that Israel experienced during Solomon’s era.
The Structure and Flow of the Whole Chapter
- Verses 1–13:The visit of the Queen of Sheba and evidence of Solomon’s wisdom/fame
- Verses 14–25:A description of Solomon’s wealth and glory
- Verses 26–29:Mentions of military/political prosperity and international influence
]Thus, this chapter shows that the glory Solomon the king enjoyed culminated through the wisdom and blessings he received from God, and it also indicates that Israel at that time had a considerable standing in the world.
Points for Reflection
- Think about the fact that even the Queen of Sheba acknowledged that the source of Solomon’s wisdom and wealth is God.
- Look at how the wisdom God gives can change not only an individual, but the entire nation.
- You can learn the lesson that the greatest prosperity and glory ultimately come from a relationship with God.
Applying It to Me
- In your life, consider how you can share and give evidence to others about the blessings and grace you have received from God.
- I hope this will be a time for you to remind yourself that the world’s fame and success are not the final goal, but that God’s will and glory should come first.
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