Topical Encyclopedia The Queen of Sheba is a prominent figure in the biblical narrative, known for her visit to King Solomon, as recorded in 1 Kings 10:1-13 and 2 Chronicles 9:1-12. Sheba is traditionally identified with the region of Saba in present-day Yemen, a wealthy kingdom known for its trade in spices, gold, and precious stones.The account begins with the Queen of Sheba hearing of Solomon's great wisdom and the fame of his relationship with the LORD. Intrigued and perhaps skeptical, she decides to visit Jerusalem to test Solomon with hard questions. The Bible states, "When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the LORD, she came to test Solomon with difficult questions" (1 Kings 10:1). Upon her arrival, the Queen of Sheba is received with great honor. She witnesses Solomon's wisdom firsthand, as well as the splendor of his court, the abundance of his provisions, and the offerings at the temple of the LORD. The biblical text describes her reaction: "When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away" (1 Kings 10:4-5). Impressed by Solomon's wisdom and the prosperity of his kingdom, the Queen of Sheba acknowledges the truth of the reports she had heard in her own land. She praises Solomon and blesses the LORD, saying, "Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness" (1 Kings 10:9). The Queen of Sheba's visit is also marked by the exchange of gifts. She presents Solomon with a vast array of treasures, including gold, spices, and precious stones. The Bible notes, "Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again did such an abundance of spices come in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon" (1 Kings 10:10). In return, Solomon grants the Queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for, in addition to what he had already given her from his royal bounty. The narrative concludes with her return to her own country, laden with gifts and a newfound respect for the God of Israel. Kings of, Bring Gifts to Solomon The reign of King Solomon is marked by unprecedented peace and prosperity, attracting the attention of rulers from various nations. These kings, recognizing Solomon's wisdom and the blessing of the LORD upon Israel, come to pay homage and bring gifts, as recorded in 1 Kings 10:24-25: "The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart. Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift—articles of silver and gold, garments, weapons, spices, horses, and mules." These gifts symbolize the recognition of Solomon's God-given wisdom and the international influence of his reign. The kings' offerings include valuable commodities such as silver, gold, and spices, reflecting the wealth and trade connections of the era. The narrative highlights the fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon, as his wisdom and understanding surpass that of all the kings of the earth. The visits and gifts from foreign kings underscore the theme of divine favor and the fulfillment of God's covenant with David, Solomon's father. Through Solomon, the LORD's name is glorified among the nations, and Israel enjoys a period of peace and prosperity unparalleled in its history. Nave's Topical Index Psalm 72:10The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Nave's Topical Index Library All Fulness in Christ The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... Christian Behavior The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment: The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria Resources Does the Bible say anything about Russia in relation to the end times? | GotQuestions.orgWho are Semites? | GotQuestions.org Is it true that Jesus was crucified above the tomb of Adam? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sheba: A Benjamite Who Led an Insurrection Against David Sheba: A City of the Tribe of Simeon Sheba: Queen of, Visits Solomon Sheba: Queen of, Visits Solomon: Kings of, Bring Gifts to Solomon Sheba: Queen of, Visits Solomon: Merchandise of Sheba: Queen of, Visits Solomon: Rich in Gold Sheba: Queen of, Visits Solomon: Rich in Incense Related Terms |
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