Solomon spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of fish. 1 Kings 4:33

kit: Wonderland by MDesigns Creations

continuing on:

And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom. 1 Kings 4:34

related:

Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions. She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the LORD, there was no more breath in her. And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard. Happy are your men! Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices and precious stones. Never again came such an abundance of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. Moreover, the fleet of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought from Ophir a very great amount of almug wood and precious stones. And the king made of the almug wood supports for the house of the LORD and for the king’s house, also lyres and harps for the singers. No such almug wood has come or been seen to this day. And King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked besides what was given her by the bounty of King Solomon. So she turned and went back to her own land with her servants. 1 Kings 10:1-13

Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions, having a very great retinue and camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. And Solomon answered all her questions. There was nothing hidden from Solomon that he could not explain to her. And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, and their clothing, his cupbearers, and their clothing, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the LORD, there was no more breath in her. And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, half the greatness of your wisdom was not told me; you surpass the report that I heard. Happy are your wives! Happy are these your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the LORD your God! Because your God loved Israel and would establish them forever, he has made you king over them, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones. There were no spices such as those that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. Moreover, the servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, brought algum wood and precious stones. And the king made from the algum wood supports for the house of the LORD and for the king’s house, lyres also and harps for the singers. There never was seen the like of them before in the land of Judah. And King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked besides what she had brought to the king. So she turned and went back to her own land with her servants. 2 Chronicles 9:1-12

Jesus' words:

"The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here." Matthew 12:42

"The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here." Luke 11:31

I am aware that there are some new age teachings regarding Solomon (which, like all new age teachings, are false, but they always start with something that sounds true) and so I would like to add this note:

Please read a solid Bible translation and compare more than one in order to get a really good understanding. There will be small differences between the major versions, but the basic meaning will not be changed. That cannot be said about paraphrases or "special" versions produced to support a particular view. For myself, I usually compare the ESV, NASB, NIV and NKJV (although I am utterly dismayed by the fact that the NIV and NKJV are published by a company that is owned by the same company as the company that publishes the satanic bible. This is easily verifiable, but I already had those versions before I realized it.) We have to remember the words were inspired by God, not men. The publishers are supposed to ONLY translate those words into our language and put them into a form we can access.

If you really want a version that will convey the idea behind a verse in a more understandable way, the NLT isn't too bad - but the trade-off is that the interpretation may not always exactly match God's intended meaning. Better to always compare whenever there are doubts. I enjoy using biblehub.com to look up the original Hebrew (OT) and Greek (NT). I also use a computer program that allows searching multiple Bible translations for words or phrases all at the same time. It also allows me to cut and paste passages into my notes and articles.

If we were all to spend more time reading, studying and meditating on God's Word, we and the world would be better off for it. We would know what pleases God from His children (believers), and be less easily deceived by false teachers. (Heb. 5:11-14, Rom. 16:19, 1Cor. 14:20) We would have less time to mingle with the world and consume its media, and more time to draw nearer to God and to know Him better. (Jam. 4:4-10) We're meant to be in the world, but not OF it. (1John 2:15-17, 3:13, 4:5-6, John 15:18-21) It's a "can't see the forest for the trees" kind of thing. When we step away from it, we can see more clearly. We can also compare it to the level of light - those in the darkness grow accustomed to it. The brightness of light actually hurts their eyes. Jesus said the eye is the lamp of our body, so we need to make sure that the "light" getting in isn't actually darkness.  (Luke 11:34)

Please stay away from the "YouTube prophets" (as I call them.) These are people who make a new video every time they have a dream, saying it's a message from God. Many of them have monetized channels, but even if not, that doesn't mean that they're legitimate. They usually keep their messages vague so that no one will be able to prove them wrong, but even when they have set a date that passed without event, people still follow them! Why?

If we want to know what's on God's mind, all we have to do is read our Bibles and pray - not with an "empty mind," but thoughtfully. We worship God not only corporately once a week, but also day by day with our holy lives - serving Him out of LOVE, joyfully, by serving others without complaining or quarreling, by keeping our lives free of deliberate sin and the love of money, by seeking His will above our own. (Eph. 4-5, Col. 3, Rom. 6, 8, 12:1-2, 13:8-14, Gal. 5:13-25, 2Pet. 1:3-15, Titus 2:11-15) That is walking in the Spirit, not going around looking for miraculous signs and wonders. Those are sought by unbelievers. People who don't know God are going to be fooled by false but convincing signs and wonders in the future. (2Thess. 2, Rev. 13-14) But whoever living on the earth at that time who is wise, whose name is in the Book of Life, will not be deceived.  (Dan. 11:31-36)

Now is the time to fill our lamps with oil by building our faith with the truth of the Bible. (2Tim. 3:13-17) Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (Rom. 10:17) Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life AND the Light of the world. (John 14:6, 8:12) God's Word is a lamp to our feet and light for our path. (Psa. 119:105, 111:10) Jesus and James also spoke on the topics of wise and foolish elsewhere in the Scriptures. (Matt. 7:24-27, Jam. 1:22-25) The wise virgins with plenty of oil in their lamps go in through the door to the kingdom of God with the Bridegroom, but the foolish let their lamps run out of oil so that they can't see their way. The door is SHUT when they later ask to be let in, and they are turned away. How sad is that?! Another sad detail is that Jesus is on the OUTSIDE of His own church, knocking, at Laodicea! (Rev. 3:14-22)

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to those who sell and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Matthew 25:1-13 (Please note the word for "marriage feast" is the same word as "marriage." There are not separate words like we have today for the ceremony and reception.)

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 3:7-13

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. Hebrews 3:12-14

Another word to the WISE: Try to ignore the section headings, page transitions, chapter breaks, etc. in order to not accidentally take verses out of context. Those breaks and headings were not in the original texts, but were added by well-meaning editors for our convenience. Often a thought will continue into the next chapter, giving more clarity. The following is a good example of that:

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 (Also see Rev. 21:7-8, Rev. 2-3, 1Cor. 6:9-20, 3:16-17, 1Pet. 1:14-19)

Here is another:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 10:1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:13 (Also see Heb. 12, 2Tim. 2:3-7)

Have you ever wondered why Paul says only ONE gets the prize when there are so many believers? I have. After studying it and thinking about all of the passages that the Holy Spirit brings to my mind, I have come to the conclusion that Paul is referring to the Body of Christ. We are all members of the ONE Body. (Rom. 12, 1Cor. 12) We must ABIDE in Jesus and be fruitful or be cut off. He explained it here (also see John 14 as to HOW we go about this.):

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. John 15:1-21 (Also see Phil. 3:8-21)