The arrival of the Oueen of Sheba - Ua taunuu le Tupu fafine o Seepa

Scripture Focus: 1 Kings 10:1-13

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. And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon’s wisdom, and the house that he had built, And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice. And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon. And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones. And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the Lord, and for the king’s house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day. And king Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.
- 1 Kings 10:1-13 (KJV)

Study:

This passage highlights the remarkable encounter between King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, emphasizing the value of wisdom and the blessings it brings. The Queen’s journey was motivated by curiosity about Solomon’s renowned wisdom and his God-given prosperity. Her arrival with rich gifts symbolized respect and recognition of spiritual and material wealth. Solomon’s ability to answer all her hard questions displayed divine wisdom, which exceeded all worldly knowledge. The passage also shows mutual honor, the exchange of gifts, and the far-reaching influence of godly wisdom. This story teaches us how true wisdom brings admiration, blessings, and a legacy that benefits others.

Application:

Today, like the Queen of Sheba, we are invited to seek God’s wisdom earnestly. Our spiritual journey may involve asking challenging questions and reflecting deeply on God’s word. Just as Solomon’s wisdom brought peace and prosperity, gaining wisdom from God can guide our decisions and bless our lives and communities. Furthermore, the Queen’s generous gifts remind us to give back gratefully and to honor God’s blessings in our lives. We should also be open to recognizing and honoring wisdom in others. By embracing God’s wisdom, we position ourselves for success and spiritual fulfilment.

Reflection Questions:

• What motivates me to seek God’s wisdom in my daily life?
• How do I respond when faced with challenging questions about my faith?
• In what ways can I honor God and others as the Queen of Sheba honored Solomon?
• What steps can I take to ensure that I use God’s wisdom to bless my family and community?
• How can I cultivate generosity similar to the gifts given by the Queen of Sheba?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of wisdom that surpasses all understanding. Help us seek Your truth eagerly, embrace Your guidance in every decision, and honor You with our lives and our gifts. May we be reflections of Your wisdom and blessing to those around us, just as Solomon’s wisdom brought peace and prosperity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Tags: Bible study, Queen of Sheba, Solomon's wisdom, spiritual wisdom, biblical gold, 1 Kings 10, generosity, faith questions, Christian growth, biblical values