10:1 When the queen of Sheba heard about Solomon, 1 she came to challenge 2 him with difficult questions. 3 10:2 She arrived in Jerusalem 4 with a great display of pomp, 5 bringing with her camels carrying spices, 6 a very large quantity of gold, and precious gems. She visited Solomon and discussed with him everything that was on her mind. 10:3 Solomon answered all her questions; there was no question too complex for the king. 7 10:4 When the queen of Sheba saw for herself Solomon’s extensive wisdom, 8 the palace 9 he had built, 10:5 the food in his banquet hall, 10 his servants and attendants, 11 their robes, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings which he presented in the Lord’s temple, she was amazed. 12 10:6 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your wise sayings and insight 13 was true! 10:7 I did not believe these things until I came and saw them with my own eyes. Indeed, I didn’t hear even half the story! 14 Your wisdom and wealth 15 surpass what was reported to me. 10:8 Your attendants, who stand before you at all times and hear your wise sayings, are truly happy! 16 10:9 May the Lord your God be praised because he favored 17 you by placing you on the throne of Israel! Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he made you king so you could make just and right decisions.” 18 10:10 She gave the king 120 talents 19 of gold, a very large quantity of spices, and precious gems. The quantity of spices the queen of Sheba gave King Solomon has never been matched. 20 10:11 (Hiram’s fleet, which carried gold from Ophir, also brought from Ophir a very large quantity of fine timber and precious gems. 10:12 With the timber the king made supports 21 for the Lord’s temple and for the royal palace and stringed instruments 22 for the musicians. No one has seen so much of this fine timber to this very day. 23 ) 10:13 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba everything she requested, besides what he had freely offered her. 24 Then she left and returned 25 to her homeland with her attendants.
10:14 Solomon received 666 talents 26 of gold per year, 27 10:15 besides what he collected from the merchants, 28 traders, Arabian kings, and governors of the land. 10:16 King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; 600 measures 29 of gold were used for each shield. 10:17 He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold; three minas 30 of gold were used for each of these shields. The king placed them in the Palace of the Lebanon Forest. 31