The story of the Queen of Sheba is found in 1Kings ch 10 vs 1-13. It is an amazing story, the Lord Himself draws the contrast between the Queen of Sheba, who “came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon” but so many of the men of the Lord’s generation were so indifferent even though “a Greater than Solomon” was among them. (Matthew ch12:42). ‘Indifference’ pervades today’s societies, the Bible is hardly read, but for those who do read the Bible it makes all the ‘difference’ and for those saved who ruminate on the word, wonderful truths are discovered. So let us open our spiritual eyes and see some of those wonderful truths.
The visit of this Queen is a beautiful picture of a soul coming to the Saviour and finding full satisfaction in Him.
How did she find out about this King, somebody told her.vs7. And those words penetrated her heart. Do you remember who first told you about King Jesus?
She came from Sheba a far off land vs1, just as we “who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ”(Ephesians 2:13).
She came to be instructed in the things of God, she was religiously inclined the Holy Spirit was drawing her. She wanted to know about the Great God who Solomon worshipped and the wisdom he received from Him. You want to know about the Saviour when coming to Christ.
She brought all her hard questions to Solomon.vs1. She had a thirst for knowledge of the Most High. But there was some resistance to the wooing of the Holy Spirit because vs7 says she believed not so she brought her doubts and her works, her rank, her wealth. She came with her own doubting self righteousness but that didn’t work with Solomon. Do you remember when you had your doubts and you realised you really were a sinner and your self righteousness was as filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6. ‘Nothing in my hand I bring simply to Thy cross I cling’.
Sweet surrender to the King and His wisdom, no more hard questions now and she communed with him of all that was in her heart vs2. And the King answered all her questions ‘and there was not any thing hid from the King, which he told her not’ vs3. Salvation came to the now open hearted queen.
Do you remember when you first got saved the relief, there were now so many other right sort of questions in your heart and by faith they were answered through His word and through prayer you communed with the Lord and you knew that the Lord knew all about who you really were and that he had forgiven you. 1John 1:9.
The queen of Sheba, indeed a saved soul now begins to see the King’s wisdom and His wonderful provision at His table. vs5 (Matt26vs26-28).
She appreciates now the Kings devotion and worship of the Father.John 4:24 She now appreciates the House of God.vs5.
She saw the Kings’s people how they listened to the Kings wisdom and were blessed vs8.
Indeed she realised as the saved soul does ‘it was a true report’ vs6 and ‘the half was not told me’ vs7.
Blessed be the Lord God who delights in thee.vs9.
In vs10 she now gives her offering to the king. Nothing to do with works or self righteousness but a gift from a giving heart.(2Cor 9:7).
Vs13 says that ‘Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty’. Philippians 4:19.
So she turned and went to her own country vs 13. No doubt she couldn’t stop telling people of the Great King. Mark 16:15. Do we?
God bless.
-Michael Whitehouse