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The queen of Sheba heard about how famous Solomon was. She also heard about how he served and worshiped the Lord. So she came to test him with hard questions.
Reference
People
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: βασίλισσα (basílissa)
a queen
Hebrew: gᵉbîyrâh
a mistress
Hebrew: Shᵉbâʼ
Sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an Ethiopian district
Greek: πρός (prós)
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated)
Hebrew: ʼêl
near, with or among; often in general, to
Greek: πῶς (pōs)
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
Hebrew: ʼay
where? hence how?
Hebrew: qârîyʼ
called, i.e. select
Greek: Σολομών (Solomṓn)
Solomon (i.e. Shelomoh), the son of David
Hebrew: Shᵉlômôh
Shelomah, David's successor
Greek: δή (dḗ)
a particle of emphasis or explicitness; now, then, etc.
Hebrew: ʼôw
desire (and so probably in Proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
Greek: πρός (prós)
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated)
Hebrew: ʼêl
near, with or among; often in general, to
Greek: πῶς (pōs)
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
Hebrew: ʼay
where? hence how?
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ῥαββονί (rhabboní)
God
Hebrew: ʼâdôwn
sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
Hebrew: kᵉnêmâʼ
so or thus
Greek: τοῦτον (toûton)
this (person, as objective of verb or preposition)
Greek: δύσκολος (dýskolos)
properly, fastidious about eating (peevish), i.e. (genitive case) impracticable
Hebrew: ʼêythân
permanence; hence (concrete) permanent; specifically a chieftain
Parallel theme
Matthew 12:42
Luke 11:31
Psalm 72:15
Genesis 10:28
Genesis 10:7
Psalm 72:10
Psalm 49:4
Jeremiah 6:20
References Lord
Isaiah 60:6
Job 28:28
Verse Explanation
The Queen of Sheba heard about Solomon's fame and his relationship with the Lord, so she came to test him with difficult questions. Her visit shows that Solomon's wisdom had become internationally known. She was not satisfied with rumors; she wanted to personally investigate whether the reports were true.
History
Approx. 950 BC. Solomon's reputation spreads across the ancient Near East.