A Royal Visitor

When the queen of Sheba heard rumors of Solomon’s wealth and wisdom, she resolved to learn firsthand if the rumors were true.

“Attended by a retinue of servants, and with camels bearing ‘spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones,’ she made the long journey to Jerusalem. . . . She talked with him of the mysteries of nature; and Solomon taught her of the God of nature, the great Creator, who dwells in the highest heaven and rules over all. ‘Solomon told her all her questions: there was not anything hid from the king, which he told her not.’ 1 Kings 10:1-3; 2 Chronicles 9:1, 2.” There is a question among Bible scholars as to the location of Sheba.

Some place it in Arabia and others in Ethiopia.

“Results of recent archeological researches in southern Arabia tend to identify the queen with this territory and her capital with Marib, in Yemen. The Arabian Sheba was a great spice country, and many are inclined to believe that this was the Sheba whose queen made a visit to Solomon.” Either location is a long distance from Jerusalem.

To her delight, the queen discovered the stories were not only true but had understated Solomon’s wisdom and wealth.

Solomon did more than share his knowledge and hospitality—he shared his faith with the queen as well. Had Israel remained true to God and worshiped Him alone, the nation would have been a beacon of salvation to the world.

“By the time of the close of her visit the queen had been so fully taught by Solomon as to the source of his wisdom and prosperity that she was constrained, not to extol the human agent, but to exclaim, ‘Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the Lord loved Israel forever, therefore made He thee king, to do judgment and justice.’ 1 Kings 10:9.” “The true Christian will make God first and last and best in everything.”