Justin Houtz

1 Kings 10-11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6

DateVersionReading Plan
May 25, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

1 Kings 10

Observation & Interpretation

The Queen of Sheba visited Solomon and was amazed at all that he had, so much that there was no more breath in her. Solomon’s great wealth is further described, much in gold and that silver was as nothing in the days of Solomon. He excelled the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

1 Kings 11

Observation & Interpretation

Solomon loved many foreign women, taking 700 wives and 300 concubines. These women turned away his heart in his old age and he went after their gods, doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD. The LORD was angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away and confronted Solomon, telling him that the kingdom would be torn from him because he did not keep the LORD’s commandments or statutes. However, it would not be torn from him in his days for the sake of his father, David. The LORD lifted up multiple adversaries against Solomon. The first was Hadad “an Edomite prince who had escaped to Egypt as a little child when Joab was killing all the males in Edom.” (BBC). The second was “Rezon, who had escaped when David killed those of Zobah.” (BBC). The third was Jeroboam, son of Nebat, of the tribe of Ephraim. “Solomon had given him a position of responsibility in the building of the Millo. Perhaps this power gave Jeroboam the desire to reign over all Israel.” (BBC). Jeroboam would be given ten tribes, but Judah would remain with the line of David as a lamp before Him in Jerusalem. Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam fled to Egypt until Solomon’s death.

2 Chronicles 9

Observation & Interpretation

A very similar account of the events surrounding Queen of Sheba and Solomon’s wealth as is given in 1 Kings 10-11—at some places nearly identical. The chapter ends with the death of Solomon.

Romans 6

Observation & Interpretation

Paul speaks of how we are not to continue in sin that grace may abound. Our old self has been crucified with Jesus in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing. If we have died with Christ and are now alive in Him, so too shall we consider ourselves dead to sin. We are under grace rather than the law, but are not to continue in sin. We were once slaves to sin but now have become slaves of righteousness. When we were slaves of sin, we were free to righteousness and yielding rotten fruit. However, we have now been set free from and sin and become slaves of God, yielding fruit that leads to sanctification and eternal life. The chapter concludes with Paul making a contrast between death as the wages of sin and eternal life in Christ Jesus as the free gift of God.

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