Queen of Sheba

Day 1

Her Character: A pagan queen, she prized wisdom above power. She appears to have been intellectually gifted, with a good head for business and diplomacy.

Her Joy: That her quest for wisdom was rewarded beyond her expectations.

1 Kings 10:1 - 13
1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions. 2 She came to Jerusalem 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. 3 So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for the king that he could not explain it to her. 4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her. 6 Then she said to the king: “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. 7 However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. 8 Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness.”10 Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great quantity, and precious stones. There never again came such abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. 11 Also, the ships of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought great quantities of almug wood and precious stones from Ophir. 12 And the king made steps of the almug wood for the house of the LORD and for the king’s house, also harps and stringed instruments for singers. There never again came such almug wood, nor has the like been seen to this day. 13 Now King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired, whatever she asked, besides what Solomon had given her according to the royal generosity. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.

Matthew 12:42
The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.

Day 2

Gift Giving.

Four and a half tons of Gold. A camel could carry about two hundred pounds when traveling through the desert. This would equal forty-five camels who were required to carry just the gold that the Queen of Sheba presented to Solomon.

Most of the personal meetings in ancient cultures included gift giving. A gift was given to the host or hostess when visiting someone’s home. Even chance encounters in the desert included gift exchanges (Gen. 14:18-20) It was a way to express submission to someone who was in a superior position. Or given as a way to gain favor or bribe someone in a superior position.
Some of the gifts are staggering in scope. The gifts Abraham’s servants gave to Rebekah and her family (Gen. 24:53), were the bride price or dowry as part of the traditions surrounding marriage. One of Solomon’s wives received an entire town from her father as a wedding gift (1 Kings 9:16). Jacob offered Esau a herd of 550 animals as a reconciliation (Gen. 32:13-15). The Israelites gave gifts to God after their victory over the Midianites, consisting of thousands of animals and gold and silver jewelry weighing over 420 pounds. (Numbers 31:51- 52)
So many gifts were given to Solomon that in his time silver was “as common in Jerusalem as stones” (1 Kings 10:23 - 27) The most famous gifts in the Bible are the ones given by the Magi to the child Jesus. (Matthew 2:11)

In the New Testament, gifts are also written as an expression to God. Whatever gift, big or small, as long as it is done with a generous and cheerful heart. Jesus praised the widow that gave two small coins because she displayed her heart of love for God by giving all she had. (Luke 21:1-4) He even contrasted her with the others who gave a small amount of their wealth, often with a grudging attitude. The condition of our hearts when we give is the most important to God. (2 Corinthians 9:7).

No thank-you note is required, just a life of gratitude to God for the gift of eternal life through his Son. (Romans 6:23)

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Day 3

1 Kings 10:1 -5, 10
1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions. 2 She came to Jerusalem 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. 3 So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for the king that he could not explain it to her. 4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her.
10 Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great quantity, and precious stones. There never again came such abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

What two things did the Queen of Sheba know about Solomon?

Think of one famous person. What made that person famous? If you could meet one famous person, who would that person be? What person can you think of who is famous because of “his relation to the name of the Lord?

What does the Queen of Sheba’s gift to Solomon tell you about her nation’s wealth? Why would she bring such extravagant gifts?

What’s the most extravagant gift you’ve ever given to another person? To God?
What’s easier for you to give: a gift you can buy or a gift that requires that you give something of yourself?

What questions do you think the Queen of Sheba asked of Solomon?

If you could have an audience with Solomon, what one question would you ask him?

What two things about Solomon most impressed the Queen of Sheba?Do you now anyone whom you think is truly wise? What impresses you most about the person?

1 Kings 10:6 - 9, 13
6 Then she said to the king: “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. 7 However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. 8 Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness.”
13 Now King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired, whatever she asked, besides what Solomon had given her according to the royal generosity. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.

From everything you have read about the Queen of Sheba how would you describe her?
Is there anything in her character that you wish were true of you? What can you do to develop yourself in that area?

Day 4

Her legacy of prayer
1 Kings 10:8 - 9

Reflect on 1 Kings 10:1 - 13

Praise God for his generosity.

Offer thanks for God’s wisdom working through others.

Confess any tendency to trust too much in your own wisdom without seeking godly counsel.

Ask God to pour out wisdom on leaders in the church and in the government so that his ways are honored in your family, community and nation.

Day 5

Lift your heart

Think of the gifts that the Queen of Sheba lavished on Solomon. This was a tangible acknowledgement of his greatness. Solomon was only a man. What can you lavish on the One who is far greater than he? You can be generous with your praise, telling God everything you love about him. You can be generous with your time, going out of your way to help those in need. You can be generous with your trust, acting and praying in a way that shows your confidence and reveals your heart regarding God’s goodness and power. You can be generous with your money, giving what you can from your small hoard. This week, don’t be stingy. Think of at least one extravagant way to express your awe and your affection for God.

Jesus, everything I’ve heard about you is true, but I didn’t believe it until you showed yourself to me. Then I realized I hadn’t been told the half of it. Your wisdom, mercy, power, and kindness exceed everything I’ve ever heard. How happy are the women who belong to you! I praise the Father for delighting in you and placing you above everything and everyone. Because of the Lord’s eternal love, he has made you our King.