Bible Strands
1 Kings 10:5
the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Queen of Sheba addresses Solomon after completing her inspection of his palace and court. She delivers her declaration immediately after witnessing the operational and ceremonial order of his kingdom.
The words — The Hebrew term שֻׁלְחָנ֡/וֹ (shul.cha.N/o) literally means "his table," denoting the physical and ceremonial dining arrangement. The phrase וּ/מַלְבֻּֽשֵׁי/הֶם (u./mal.bu.shei./Hem) translates as "and their clothes," specifying the standardized attire of his attendants.
The thread — The theme of structured provision and service runs through 1 Kings 4:22, which lists Solomon’s daily provisions of fine flour and meal. The orderly arrangement of his court mirrors the assigned duties and gate locations detailed in 1 Chronicles 26:16.
Why it lands — The text reports that the Queen’s reaction was purely observational, noting that the scale and precision of Solomon’s administration exceeded her prior reports. The passage requires the reader to recognize that institutional order and consistent provision are presented as visible evidence of royal wisdom.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her.
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 26:16 The lots for the West Gate and the Shallecheth Gate on the ascending highway fell to Shuppim and Hosah. There were guards stationed at every watch.
- Joshua 5:1 Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted and their spirits failed for fear of the Israelites.
- 1 Kings 4:22 Solomon’s provisions for a single day were thirty cors of fine flour, sixty cors of meal,
- 2 Kings 16:18 And on account of the king of Assyria, he removed the Sabbath canopy they had built in the temple and closed the royal entryway outside the house of the LORD.
- 1 Chronicles 9:18 he was previously stationed at the King’s Gate on the east side. These were the gatekeepers from the camp of the Levites.
- 2 Chronicles 9:4 the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, the attire of his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.
- 2 Chronicles 23:13 And she looked and saw the king standing by his pillar at the entrance. The officers and trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, while the singers with musical instruments were leading the praises. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason, treason!”
- Ezekiel 44:3 Only the prince himself may sit inside the gateway to eat in the presence of the LORD. He must enter by way of the portico of the gateway and go out the same way.”
- Ezekiel 46:2 The prince is to enter from the outside through the portico of the gateway and stand by the gatepost, while the priests sacrifice his burnt offerings and peace offerings. He is to bow in worship at the threshold of the gate and then depart, but the gate must not be shut until evening.