Royalty and Ruin: Visit of the Queen of Sheba

     It was still this way when the Queen of Sheba came to visit Solomon. Hearing of his wisdom and the magnificent temple he had built, she determined to “test him with hard questions” and to see his famous works for herself. Attended by many servants, she made the long journey to Jerusalem. “And when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart.” Solomon taught her of the God of nature, of the great Creator, who dwells in heaven and rules over all. And “Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for the king, that he could not explain it to her.” 1 Kings 10:1-3; see 2 Chronicles 9:1, 2.

    “When the Queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, ... there was no more spirit in her.” She acknowledged, “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. 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.” 1 Kings 10:4-7; see 2 Chronicles 9:3-6.

    Solomon had so fully taught the queen regarding the source of his wisdom and prosperity that she was compelled not to praise the human agent, but to exclaim, “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.” 1 Kings 10:9. This is the impression that God intended to be made on all peoples.

    If Solomon had continued to turn attention from himself to the One who had given him wisdom, riches, and honor, what a history might have been his! But, raised to the heights of greatness, Solomon became dizzy, lost his balance, and fell. Constantly praised, he finally permitted others to speak of him as the one most worthy of praise for the matchless splendor of the building that had been planned and built to honor the name of the Lord God of Israel.

    So the temple of Jehovah came to be known throughout the nations as “Solomon’s temple.” The human agent had taken to himself the glory  that belonged to the One “higher than the highest.” Ecclesiastes 5:8. Even to this day the temple of which Solomon declared, “This temple which I have built is called by Your name” (2 Chronicles 6:33) is spoken of as “Solomon’s temple.”

    We cannot show greater weakness than by allowing others to give us the honor for gifts that are Heaven-bestowed. When we are faithful in exalting the name of God, He controls our impulses and enables us to develop spiritual and intellectual power.

    Jesus, the divine Master, taught His disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.” And they were to acknowledge, “Yours is ... the glory.” Matthew 6:9, 13, emphasis supplied. Jesus was so careful to direct attention from Himself to the Source of His healing power, that the multitude, “when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing,” did not glorify Him, but “glorified the God of Israel.” Matthew 15:31.

    “‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23, 24.