1 Kings 10:1-10 ~ now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon

Seaport, Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba. By Claude Lorrain, 1648. Currently in the National Gallery in London.

1 Kings 10:1-10 ~ (Revised Standard Version) Listen

[1-5] 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 which 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 which he offered at the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her.

[6-10] And she said to the king, "The report was true which I heard in my own land of your affairs 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 which 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 the throne of Israel! Because the LORD loved Israel for ever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness."

Then she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones; never again came such an abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.


What a great painting today! The sun is coming up and a voyage is ahead. A new day and new opportunity.

Milleniums have generated stories speculating about the Queen of Sheba and Solomon. From legends in Ethiopia of seduction and a son from their meeting, to an Ark of the Covenant in Ethiopia no one is allowed to see (guarded by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church). There is ancient history showing Hebrew spoken in Ethiopia a long time before the birth of Christ. Metaphorical images are given of the virgin birth and the bride of Christ. Wow, this is a time of biblical proportions. Different from worldly vision, the Scriptures do not declare any romance.

So, I'll throw a true historical parable in: Peter the Great of Russia traveled to France to meet the child-king Louis XV. Peter the Great felt great compassion and liking for the child, who had such responsibilities waiting for him. Peter was very tall and hoisted the child into his arms. He carried the child away from the courtiers and kindly explained to young Louis, the nobles of France were far too wealthy not to take better care of the peasants. Peter the Great tried to explain to the young child it would lead to the downfall of France, while explaining France was in the leadership position of the entire world at the time.

Jesus was interested in the Queen of Sheba & Solomon, as well. He cut thought the speculation to praise & prophesy about the Queen of Sheba 1,000 years later:

Matthew 12:24
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.

Solomon asked for wisdom & a gift was given to him. The Queen of Sheba traveled a great distance to seek out wisdom, and found the Lord. Jesus said that when renewal is front of us, we will see the Lord ahead of us!

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