Why did the Queen of Sheba praise the LORD in 1 Kings 10:9? Text “Blessed be the LORD your God! He has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel because of His eternal love for Israel. He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness.” (1 Kings 10 : 9) Historical Setting and Identity of the Queen of Sheba Sheba (Sabaʾ in South-Arabian inscriptions) lay along the lucrative incense and gold routes linking southern Arabia, the Horn of Africa, and the Red Sea. Sabaean inscriptions from Marib’s Awwam Temple (10th–9th century BC) record queens (mkrb) who governed commerce, matching the biblical portrait of a monarch capable of arriving at Jerusalem “with a very great caravan, with camels bearing spices, much gold, and precious stones” (1 Kings 10 : 2). The convergence of biblical chronology (mid-10th century BC), early Sabaean royal inscriptions, and trade archaeology at Timnaʿ, Ezion-geber, and the Marib Dam gives a solid historical backdrop for her visit. Motivation for Her Journey 1 Kings 10 : 1 states she came “to test Solomon with hard questions” after hearing of “the fame of Solomon connected with the name of the LORD.” Her inquiries therefore centered on (a) Solomon’s encyclopedic wisdom (1 Kings 4 : 29-34), (b) the theological source of that wisdom—Yahweh’s covenant gift—and (c) whether the reported blessings were real or exaggerated. Encountering Solomon’s Wisdom and Kingdom On arrival, “Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king” (v. 3). She also observed: • Administrative order—“the seating of his servants” • Liturgical splendor—“the burnt offerings he made at the house of the LORD” • Architectural grandeur—“the house that he had built” (vv. 4-5) The holistic integration of governance, worship, and aesthetics reflected the Deuteronomic blueprint of a nation under God’s law (Deuteronomy 4 : 6-8). The queen recognized that the wisdom permeating every sphere of life could not be merely human. Recognition of Yahweh’s Covenant Faithfulness Her praise hinges on three observations: 1. Divine delight: “He has delighted in you” – Solomon’s kingship is Yahweh-initiated, confirming 2 Samuel 7 : 12-16. 2. Eternal love for Israel: She voices hesed, the covenant love promised since Abraham (Genesis 12 : 3). 3. Ethical purpose: “to carry out justice and righteousness” – echoing Psalm 72, a messianic prayer penned for Solomon. Thus her doxology is not flattery but a theologically precise acknowledgment that Israel’s prosperity is the fruit of Yahweh’s loyal love and moral governance. Content of Her Praise Explained • “Blessed be the LORD” – She uses Yahweh’s personal covenant Name, not a generic Semitic title, showing real recognition rather than syncretism. • “Your God” – She accepts that Solomon stands in covenant relationship, yet she herself—a Gentile monarch—joins the chorus, prefiguring worldwide worship (Psalm 117). • “Eternal love” – The Hebrew ʾahavah ʿôlām signals an unbroken covenant, reinforcing that Israel’s history is redemptive, not cyclical paganism. • “Justice and righteousness” – The queen intuitively grasps that Yahweh’s kingdom ethic, not mere opulence, lies behind the splendor. Theological Significance of a Gentile Confession Solomon had asked in his temple dedication that “the foreigner … may hear of Your great name … and fear You” (1 Kings 8 : 41-43). The Queen of Sheba becomes an immediate fulfillment. Her confession anticipates: • The inclusion of Ruth the Moabitess, Naaman the Aramean, and later Cornelius the Roman. • Isaiah’s vision: “Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isaiah 60 : 3). Incense-bearing caravans in Isaiah 60 : 6 mirror her offering. • The eschatological scene of Revelation 21 : 24, where “the kings of the earth will bring their splendor” into the New Jerusalem. Fulfillment of Abrahamic and Davidic Promises God promised Abraham, “In you all families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12 : 3). When a Sabaean monarch blesses Yahweh, the promise materializes. Simultaneously, the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7) aimed at producing a king whose reign would manifest God’s character; the queen’s testimony validates that aim. Prophetic and Messianic Echoes Psalm 72, written “of Solomon,” speaks of a king receiving Sheba’s gifts (v. 10) and ensuing worldwide blessing (vv. 17-19). The queen’s visit previews the greater Son of David. Matthew 12 : 42 records Jesus saying, “The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment … because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.” Her reaction therefore foreshadows the call to recognize Jesus’ superior wisdom and resurrection power (Romans 1 : 4). New Testament Confirmation by Jesus Christ’s citation authenticates the historical event and assigns the queen an evidentiary role against unbelief. If a Gentile monarch traveled 1,200 miles for wisdom, how much more responsibility rests on those who encounter the risen Lord’s gospel yet refuse faith? Archaeological and Historical Corroboration • Sabaean texts (e.g., RES 3945) reference expeditions to northern trade hubs, showing plausible contact with the Levant. • Ophir gold fragments at Tell Qasile and bronze craftsmanship at Ezion-geber corroborate the wealth pipeline to Solomon’s court. • The 1 Kings trade figures (420 talents of gold ≈ 15,500 kg) square with Sabaean export capacity evidenced by the Marib Dam irrigation economy. • Egyptian reliefs from Deir el-Bahari (Hatshepsut’s Punt expedition) depict incense, myrrh trees, and exotic animals—parallel cargo to the queen’s gifts. These data collectively rebut the claim that Solomon’s grandeur is myth. Solomonic Wisdom, Creation, and Intelligent Design 1 Kings 4 : 33 notes Solomon’s discourses on botany and zoology—fields that today manifest irreducible complexity, fine-tuning, and genetic information best explained by an intelligent Creator rather than unguided processes. The queen’s astonishment at such breadth of knowledge mirrors modern scientists who, encountering genomic coding or bacterial flagella, infer design behind the phenomena. Wisdom sourced in the Creator resonates through created order. Lessons for Faith and Evangelism Today 1. Observed blessing points to the Blesser. Material excellence, when rightly ordered, is an apologetic pointing beyond itself. 2. Honest inquiry is welcomed; Solomon “answered all her questions” without defensiveness. The gospel likewise invites scrutiny (Acts 17 : 11). 3. Genuine faith responds with generosity; her lavish gifts demonstrate that true admiration of God translates into sacrificial giving (2 Corinthians 8 : 9). 4. God delights to draw seekers from every culture; no geographical or cultural barrier limits His grace. Summary The Queen of Sheba praised the LORD because the undeniable convergence of Solomon’s supernatural wisdom, ethical administration, and covenant-rooted prosperity unveiled Yahweh’s character before her eyes. Recognizing that such splendor could only flow from Israel’s God, she blessed His Name, confessed His everlasting love for Israel, and affirmed His purpose of justice and righteousness. Her praise fulfills Abrahamic promise, validates Davidic kingship, foreshadows Gentile inclusion, and is ratified by Christ Himself as a standing testimony to all generations. |
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