1 Kings 10:1-13; Luke 11:31
This blog post is an excerpt from the booklet entitled, "Women of the Bible" - Volume 2.
It is written as if the Queen of Sheba is sharing her heart directly with the reader.
Thank you for allowing the author to use poetic license throughout this article
while seeking to stay true to the Biblical account of the Queen of Sheba's life.
My name is not revealed in Scripture but I do have a title. I am called “The Queen of Sheba.” When I was told of all the wealth, the wisdom and the fame of King Solomon, I had to see it for myself. This would be no small feat. It would be an incredible journey as his land was 1,200 miles from my own country of Ethiopia. So I came to Jerusalem with a very large entourage. I brought a large portion of my own wealth of camels, spices, gold, and precious stones. It was my intent to both impress him and show my equality as a fellow ruler. I had already decided that I would not take all these stories I had heard at face value. I would require him to prove himself as I brought hard questions with which to grill him.
When I finally arrived, King Solomon allowed me to commune with him and to share all that was in my heart concerning my quest. One by one, he answered all my questions and kept nothing back from me. I must admit I was taken aback by how “real” he was with me. He was such a genuine person even though he had everything a person could ever desire.
Then he showed me the house he had built. I enjoyed eating the meat from his table and was helped by his servants and ministers. It was a lot to take in. I was especially impressed by their apparel. They wore only the finest fabrics and linens available in our day. This also included his cupbearers who looked after my every need or request. And finally what amazed me the most was when I watched King Solomon ascend up the steps to enter the house of the Lord. I was overwhelmed. As a matter of fact, those who witnessed my awe said it like this,
And when the queen of Sheba had seen all...and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her. - 1 Kings 10:4-5
Here is my conclusion of the whole process. You see, I had revelled in royalty myself as well as enjoyed the beauty of other kingdoms. But Solomon’s palace, his aura, and his God was different than anything I had ever experienced. This is what I said to him once I was no longer speechless.
It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. - 1 Kings 10:6-7
At first I did not believe what I had been told, so I had to come see it for myself. I thought it sounded too good to be true. Then when I saw it, I realized they had not even told me the half of it. I described the difference of Solomon’s palace like this:
Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighteth in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice. 1 Kings 10:8-9
After communing with King Solomon, I realized the secret of his success was his God...the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The only thing I wanted to do was to praise this God and to learn of Him.
As I left to go, I proudly gave him the gold and spices that I had brought. The navy who came with me also gave him great amounts of gold from foreign lands. I also gifted him with precious stones and great amounts of almug trees which provide quality wood to make beautiful things.
I would find out later that Solomon used these trees to make pillars for the house of the Lord and for his own home as well as harps and instruments for his singers. These trees were extremely valuable and would never be seen the same way again after I gave them to King Solomon.
I expected him to be extremely grateful. Don’t get me wrong. He was thankful but I soon realized that all that I gave him was nothing in comparison to what he would turn and give back to me. He startled me with his question. He asked me what I would desire. How would I answer that? Did you know he gave me every single thing that I desired and all that I asked of him. Then as if that was not enough, he gave me much more from his bounty than I had given him.
As I left that day, I did not return to my homeland the same. I was changed by being in the presence of the King. Solomon introduced me to the LORD and all would hear of my time with him. The amazing thing is, they would feel the same way as I had, “The half was not told me.”
Wasn’t this an incredible story? One of the things I love is that Jesus referred to this woman in the New Testament when He was on the earth. This means women have always been and will always be special in His sight. God used her story to reveal Himself when describing Solomon. That is impressive to me. Her story was worth repeating to the world. Jesus said of her:
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold,
a greater than Solomon is here. - Luke 11:31
Solomon was a type of Christ in the Bible. When she came unto him, he showed her about eternal life that could be found in the house of the Lord and then he gave her all that she asked for. Just like the queen, people are seeking. They desire the peace that comes from salvation in Christ. They are told of Jesus but some have to see for themselves what He is all about. They are seeking.
Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." - John 14:6
Jesus offers eternal life if they will just believe. He is the greater Solomon. He is the source of Solomon’s wealth and wisdom. Jesus showed a parallel to Solomon as He taught His followers.
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass...how much more
will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? - Luke 12:27-28
The abundant Christian life is a greater happiness than Solomon’s servants had. Heaven is a greater palace than that of Solomon’s. This is the way Heaven is described which is very similar to how the Queen of Sheba described Solomon’s kingdom.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. - 1 Corinthians 2:9
There is a beautiful Gospel song written by Eddie Carswell and Niles Borop that was inspired by this Bible verse and is entitled, “Not the Half Has Been Told.” The lyrics are:
Not the half has been told;
A small part - not the whole.
It’s beyond imagination what’s in store.
Soon our eyes shall behold
Gates of pearl, Streets of gold.
But there’s more,
Not the half has been told.
This is so true of what King Jesus has awaiting for us in Heaven. May we learn from this queen that God’s Word is true and we can believe it with all certainty. May we be like the king’s men who were happy to serve. May our churches be places where people attend while saying it is different because God is here with us. May we give Him all the glory as Solomon did. When people see our lives, may we point them to the Cross and share with them how Jesus is the source of our victory!
We can never outgive the Lord. His love for us is undeserved yet freely given. May we remember that He takes care of us far better than even the richest and wisest man (Solomon) ever could. That’s the God we serve, ladies! Let’s share Him with others. Let’s bring our friends and loved ones to Jesus so they can receive this love and see for themselves how good God is. He is the greater Solomon...and not the half has been told!
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