King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 10:5 Mean?

1 Kings 10:5 in the King James Version says “And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and ... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. attendance: Heb. standing cupbearers: or, butlers

1 Kings 10:5 · KJV


Context

3

And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not. questions: Heb. words

4

And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built,

5

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. attendance: Heb. standing cupbearers: or, butlers

6

And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. report: Heb. word acts: or, sayings

7

Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. thy: Heb. thou hast added wisdom and goodness to


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of queen of sheba and solomon's wealth, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy. The temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How did Solomon's disobedience to God's clear commands lead to his downfall, and what warnings does this provide?
  2. What role do relationships and alliances play in either strengthening or compromising our faith?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וּמַֽאֲכַ֣ל1 of 18

And the meat

H3978

an eatable (including provender, flesh and fruit)

שֻׁלְחָנ֡וֹ2 of 18

of his table

H7979

a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal

וּמוֹשַׁ֣ב3 of 18

and the sitting

H4186

a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication, population

עֲבָדָיו֩4 of 18

of his servants

H5650

a servant

וּמַֽעֲמַ֨ד5 of 18

and the attendance

H4612

(figuratively) a position

מְשָֽׁרְתָ֜ו6 of 18

of his ministers

H8334

to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to

וּמַלְבֻּֽשֵׁיהֶם֙7 of 18

and their apparel

H4403

a garment, or (collectively) clothing

וּמַשְׁקָ֔יו8 of 18
H4945

properly, causing to drink, i.e., a butler; by implication (intransitively), drink (itself); figuratively, a well-watered region

וְעֹ֣לָת֔וֹ9 of 18

and his ascent

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר10 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יַֽעֲלֶ֖ה11 of 18

by which he went up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

בֵּ֣ית12 of 18

unto the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֑ה13 of 18

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְלֹא14 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הָ֥יָה15 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בָ֛הּ16 of 18
H0
ע֖וֹד17 of 18
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

רֽוּחַ׃18 of 18

there was no more spirit

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 10:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 10:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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