[3] This chapter belongs to the section focusing on the reign of Solomon over the unified kingdom of Judah and Israel (1 Kings 1 to 11).

[5] This chapter was originally written in the Hebrew language and since the 16th century is divided into 29 verses.

Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B;

[7][a] This story essentially displays Solomon's wisdom by showing a noble and wise ruler deeply impressed by him ('there was no more spirit in her' or "breathless", verse 5), with 'great spiritual and even political after-effects all the way to Ethiopia'.

[10] Solomon also profited from being an 'agent for the export of arms from Egypt to Syria and Asia Minor' (cf.