1 Kings 10
There was a queen in a far south land, called Sheba, who heard about the riches and wisdom of King Solomon. But she did not really believe the stories she heard and came to Jerusalem to see for herself. She and her servants made the long journey with a great number of camels, bringing fine presents of gold, precious stories, and spices, which were then much used as a choice gift.
The queen saw the great buildings, the Temple, and the way to it, which seems to have been very wonderful; the king’s palaces; his throne of ivory and gold; his many officers and their clothes; his servants, and the setting of his table, for his dishes were of gold.
And King Solomon talked with the queen and answered all her hard questions. Then she did not doubt the stories she had heard, instead she said,
“It was a true report I heard in mine own land, ... .behold the half was not told me!” Solomon’s wisdom and riches were even more than she had heard, and she praised God for all He had given Solomon, and said his people should be happy.
The queen returned with her servants to her own land, and must have told others of the great king at Jerusalem.
We do not now know just where was the country of the queen of Sheba, but she was a real queen, whose visit the Lord Jesus spoke of. He called her the “queen of the south”, who “came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon”, and who had believed that all had come from God. He told the people that One greater than Solomon was with them. Do you know who?
The Lord Jesus did not come to earth showing riches and honor as Solomon. He came poor and despised, but He answered every question asked Him, with greater wisdom than Solomon’s, so it was said,
“Never man spoke like this Man.” He fed the people and healed every sickness. Yet few believed His greatness.
Some day He will take the place of King over all and show His glory. Then those who have believed in Him will say, “The half was not told.”
There were also kings and great men who came to see King Solomon, and brought him presents, but their visits are not told of.
The visit of the queen of Sheba. is given also in 2 Chronicles 9. (See also Matt.12:42, and Luke 11:31).
ML 01/22/1939