1 Kings 10:1-18 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.… The suggestiveness of Solomon's intercourse with surrounding nations. His magnanimity was as remarkable as his magnificence. His broad policy stood out in striking contrast with the narrowness of some of his contemporaries and successors. It was one evidence of his divinely inspired wisdom. In some respects his enlightenment puts to shame modern diplomacy. Trace his relations with the king of Tyre and the queen of Sheba. These were not exceptionally treated by the wise-hearted ruler. His country was open to the commerce of surrounding peoples, and his court free to all who would live in amity with him. Indicate the typical nature of his kingdom - the golden age of God's people. Apply to the reign of Him who said, "A greater than Solomon is here!" Remarks on the position and the commerce of the land from which this great queen came. Her conduct is full of suggestions for us - I. HER COMING SHOWS THE PAINS THOSE SHOULD TAKE WHO ARE SEARCHING FOR TRUE WISDOM. The journey was long, arduous, costly. It may have raised opposition amongst the people she ruled. In spite of all she came. Give examples of men who in old time travelled far in search of wisdom, visiting schools of philosophy, astrologers, and sages, consulting oracles like that at Delphi. Not less is demanded of men in our days who investigate natural phenomena. Instances abound of travellers who have laid down life, as did Franklin and Livingstone, in journeys of discovery; of surgeons and physicians who have run personal risk to learn by crucial experiment a means of cure; of scientific discoverers who have sacrificed time and effort to make sure of one fact, or establish one law, etc. In contrast with all this how small the effort to win true riches, to know essential truth. Many are content with hearsay evidence. The queen of Sheba was not. At any cost she would see and know for herself. Perhaps it was with some remembrance of her visit that Solomon wrote Proverbs 2:8-5: "If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then thou shalt understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." Compare this with tMatthew 13:45, 46). See also Colossians 2:8. II. HER CONFESSION EXPRESSES THE FEELING OF THOSE WHO HAVE COME TO ONE GREATER THAN SOLOMON. "The half was not told me" (vers. 6, 7). St. Paul speaks of "the unsearchable riches of Christ;" of "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ," etc. In proportion as men really know Him, and live near Him, does He appear more winsome and worthy. Cite the utterances of such men as Bernard, Wesley, etc. Their words fall from our lips in song, yet they seem extravagant to us on our low level of religious life, and at our sad distance from Christ. Such bursts of praise we may use as tests of our devotion. Christ has not changed, but too often His people see Him from afar. Any one who is living near the Lord can say, "The half was not told me" of Thy love and glory. III. HER OFFERING SUGGESTS THE PRESENTATION WE SHOULD MAKE TO OUR KING Read verse 10. Draw out the parallel between this and the coming of the Magi (Matthew 2.), when they fell down and worshipped the child Jesus, and opened their treasures and presented to Him gifts - gold and frankincense and myrrh. "Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion, Odours of Edom and offerings Divine; Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean, Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine? "Vainly we offer each ample oblation; Vainly with gifts would his favour secure; Richer, by far, is the heart's adoration; Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor." See Isaiah 1:12; Psalm 40:6, etc. IV. HER ENTERTAINMENT REMINDS US OF THE WELCOME GIVEN BY OUR LORD. 1. Like Solomon (ver. 3) Christ answers our questions. He knew His disciples "were desirous to ask Him," so they needed not even to frame their questions. Unspoken prayers are heard. 2. Like Solomon (ver. 5) Christ reveals His glory. The transfiguration, the last talk with the apostles, the apocalypse, etc. 3. Like Solomon (ver. 13) Christ loads us with benefits. Pardon, peace, strength, joy, etc. - of greater worth than gold and precious stones. These material, those imperishable. Let the earnestness of this queen rebuke own sloth and unbelief. "The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, a greater than Solomon is here" (Matthew 12:42). - A.R. Parallel Verses KJV: And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions. |
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