The Queen Of Sheba Visits Solomon

"The queen of Sheba heard about Solomon's fame, and came to test him with difficult questions.  She arrived in Jerusalem with a vast retinue and with camels loaded with spices and an abundance of gold and precious stones.  When she came to Solomon, she told him all that she had on her mind and Solomon answered all her questions.  There was nothing that the king could not explain to her.  And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built, the food on his table, the residence of his officials, the attendance of his servants and their clothing, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings which he offered at YAHWEH's house, it left her breathless.

Then she said to the king, 'All that I heard in my own land concerning you and your wisdom was true.  But I did not believe the reports until I came and saw with my own eyes.  And what did I see!  I was told only half the story; for your wisdom and wealth surpass the report I heard.

Fortunate are your wives!  Fortunate are your servants who are ever in your presence and hear your wisdom!  Blessed be YAHWEH your GOD, who has looked kindly on you and has put you on the throne of Israel!  Because of YAHWEH's eternal love for Israel, HE has made you king so that you may dispense justice and righteousness.'

Then she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in abundance, and precious stones.  Such an abundance of spices as those which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon was never again seen." - 1 Kings 10:1-10 

(The queen of Sheba came to test him with difficult questions.  Scripture does not give much importance to the commercial aspect of the visit which will only appear toward the end in the barter.

Solomon's meeting with the queen of Sheba becomes a historical scene:

- The wise Solomon and his people discover the wealth and products of other countries.  'So the world is bigger than we thought!'  These contacts help the Israelites gain a broader religious vision.  YAHWEH is not only the GOD of a small nation, but is also sovereign over the wide universe.

- The queen of Sheba is a wealthy woman, but she is not satisfied.  There is no mention of her husband.  She is attracted by the divine wisdom manifested in the king, "the Beloved of YAHWEH' [2 Samuel 12:29].  JESUS will later recall this visit in Matthew 12:42.)

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