The
Queen of Sheba comes to visit Solomon “to test him with hard questions.” She is
amazed at his wisdom and the ease with which he answers her questions and the
wealth that is displayed in his royal court and she is breathless (10:5). She
then gives Solomon and extraordinary gift of 120 talents of gold. At today’s
gold prices that would be well over a million dollars. Needless to say, she is
impressed.
One
wonders exactly why this story is included in the OT account, not once but
twice (2 Chronicles 9). We already know that Solomon is wealthy and wise. So,
with no further plot to the story, why tell of her visit except to underscore
and emphasize the wealth and wisdom of Solomon? Well, I think that’s precisely
the point. And it is the point for NT purposes.
Twice
in the NT Jesus says, “The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with
the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the
earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon
is here.” (Luke 11:31; Matthew 12:42) The wealth and wisdom of Solomon is
portrayed clearly for us in all its grandeur primarily so that we can see that
Jesus is far greater than Solomon. The writer of 1 Kings is preparing the way
for the exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, everything in the OT is
leading to this very goal of showing the wonder and work of our Lord and
Savior. Carry that thought with you today and worship him continually.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for giving your Son. Thank you that Jesus humbled himself and
willingly went to the cross for lost sinners like us. Thank you that because of
his obedience in death you have highly exalted him and given him a name that is
above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every
tongue confess that he is Lord…to your glory, Father. Help us to live lives of
bowing and confessing.
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