We have before us one of the most fascinating incidents in the life of Solomon—a regal visit.
The Queen of Sheba’s visit (1 Ki 10:1-10, 13) is a story that exposes the pride of man, for many, attempting to enhance it, spoil it with cheap dramatics. The Lord, on the other hand, elevates the story right up to heaven. Here are the details. “The queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord” (v 1). The location of Sheba is either in southern Arabia or on the borders of Yemen and Ethiopia. In any case, it was a serious journey of 1,500 miles across desert sands. In a day without international media, she had heard not only of Solomon’s wisdom but of the Lord’s name, and had to find out if it was true! She arrived “with a very great retinue, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart” (v 2). Solomon, with his God-given wisdom, “answered all her questions” (v 3), and she confessed, “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom…and indeed the half was not told me” (vv 6-7), words we may borrow when meeting our King! A woman of such rank making such an effort to discover the truth, she pictures all who come seriously seeking the Lord. Christ uses her to rebuke those who needed no long journey to hear the One whose wisdom far surpassed Solomon’s, yet who had no curiosity about Him. He said He will call her as a witness for the prosecution at the last trial to speak for Him (Lk 11:31). In addition, she prefigures both the gift-giving kings at Christ’s incarnation and also the Millennial Day when “the kings of Sheba…will offer gifts. Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him” (Ps 72:10-11). Who could improve on a story like that!