1 Kings chapter 10 details the famous visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon. It reminds me that very often in life, God brings people into our path that we have something in common with. Athletes are drawn to other athletes, truck drivers to truck drivers and doctors to other doctors. Often these people are hurting, or searching for answers, or in need of hope. 2 Timothy 4:2 reminds us “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction“. The chapter begins, “When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relation to the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions“. When we honor God with our life, people notice. As believers, we are instructed to respond with love. 1 Corinthians 13:1 explains, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal“. In other words without love we are just making noise.
The queen arrived “with a very great caravan with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind“. Do people feel open to talk to you?
“Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built… she was overwhelmed“. I am not that wise, but I do have access to God’s Word and His Holy Spirit. The only thing I have expertise in, is my own life. I know how God’s forgiveness made me a new creation. As believers, our responsibility to point those with questions to the Word of God. The chapter continues, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true… in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard“. She concludes, “Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness.” It is interesting that the queen notices all of Solomon’s achievement is through God’s delight. Next we read,”Then she left and returned… to her own country“. Was she changed through the encounter with Solomon?
The chapter ends with a description of the unprecedented wealth of Israel under Solomon. “Then the king made a great throne inlaid with ivory and overlaid with fine gold… All King Solomon’s goblets were gold, and all the household articles in the Palace… were pure gold… Solomon accumulated… fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses… The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones“. We read of horses, chariots, gold, possessions, but still no mention of a personal devotion with God. With wealth, it is easy to begin to put your trust in your possessions rather than the God of grace. 1 Timothy 6:9 warns, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare… For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness“. God is not into “stuff”. My friend, YOU are God’s delight.