Christ is King. The book of Matthew clearly presents a theme that Jesus of Nazareth is the King of the Jews. He descended from the kingly line of the Jews. Matthew goes on to describe Jesus’ miracles and teachings in light of His kingship. Matthew also describes the rejection of Jesus as king by the Jews. Revelation shows that Jesus will be King of all in spite of any person’s rejection. The first ten chapters of First Kings are devoted to describing the magnificence of Solomon who took the throne of Israel after the death of his father David. This description of Solomon is to point us to Christ. Jesus said in Luke 11:31, The Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation at the judgment and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. (NASU)
The early chapters of First Kings describe the great wisdom of Solomon given to him by God for the express purpose of ruling with justice and righteousness. These chapters also go into great detail describing the great wealth of Solomon which served to provide for those who eat at his table. Solomon asked God for wisdom and God replied, Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. 13 I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. (1 Kings 3:11-13 NASU)
Luke 11:31 quoted above certainly echoes 1 Kings 10:1, Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions. (NASU) This unnamed queen heard about the exalted king. She heard about his wealth and wisdom. She came to test him, to see if the reports were true. Upon seeing for herself and hearing his answers, she declared,And behold, the half was not told me. You exceed in wisdom and prosperity the report which I heard. How blessed are your men, how blessed are these your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom. (1 Kings 10:7-8 NASU) This meeting is a marvelous picture of salvation. The king was exalted and his fame spread all around so that the seeker heard of his majesty. The seeker examined the king by looking and questioning. The king answered all of the seeker’s questions. The seeker discovered that the king exceeded all her expectations. The seeker declared that those who served the king were blessed indeed.
The passage closes with the king and seeker giving their all to one another. 1 Kings 10:10-13 describes a great abundance given by the seeker to the king. Those verses all tell of the king giving the seeker all that her heart desired. What a beautiful picture this is of the believer’s union with Christ. The Song of Songs describes it, “I am my Beloved’s and He is mine”. The seeker has seen Christ as He is and has betrothed her love to Him. Christ has satisfied all the seeker’s desires.
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