1 Kings 10:1-13

The Queen of Sheba.

Well may the journey of this Eastern queen have a triple mention in the sacred page ( 1 Kings 10:1-29 .; 2 Chronicles 9:1-31 .; St. Matthew 12:1-50 .; St. Luke 11:1-54 .), for it is almost, if not altogether, sui generis . We are so familiar with the story from our infancy that we often fail to realize its true character and proportions. A woman, a princess, an Arab queen, travels some three thousand miles in search of wisdom. We have read of long voyages undertaken and of great hardships endured by men who were in search of gold. Fable tells of the search for a golden fleece; history tells of many voyages to a fancied El Dorado, but here only, and in the case of the Magi, do we read of a traveller who brought gold and sought wisdom .

And our Lord has honoured this history—this almost romantic story—by drawing one of its lessons with His own hand ( Matthew 12:42 ). But though He has there furnished the outline, He has left it for us to fill in the colouring. And the rest of the story He has left untouched; the other lessons we have to gather for ourselves. We have, therefore, to consider,

I. The journey of the queen.

II. Her rich offerings to Solomon.

III. Solomon's royal presents to her.

I. As to the JOURNEY —the one point noticed by our blessed Lord. He has reminded us

I. THE NATURE OF THIS JOURNEY . Four particulars must be borne in mind.

II. THE PURPOSE OF THIS UNDERTAKING . Many sovereigns have left their homes at the head of "a very great train" both before and since her day, but with what different objects in view. They have swept across continents—the Rameses, the Shishaks, the Alexanders, the Tamerlanes of history, but not for wisdom. Theirs was no peaceful or kindly mission. Some, like Peter the Great, have visited foreign courts for the sake of advancing the commerce, etc; of their country. Some, like the Persian Shah recently, have travelled far to see the wonders of the world, and to taste of its pleasures; but she came to "prove Solomon with hard questions," to "commune with him of all that was in her heart," to

"reason high

Of providence, foreknowledge, will, and fate,

Fixed fate, freewill, foreknowledge absolute."

It is clear that to her " wisdom " was "the principal thing," and she brought gold and rubies ( Job 28:18 ; Proverbs 3:15 ; Proverbs 8:11 ) to obtain it. She is like the "merchantman seeking goodly pearls." She has found one pearl of great price, and she will give all that she has to possess it. True, she saw the wonders of Solomon's court, but she came to hear his wisdom. She envied his courtiers, not because of their places, palaces, etc; but because they stood before him ( 1 Kings 10:8 ) and heard his words.

And our Saviour has said that this conduct will condemn the men of His generation. It were easy to show how. But it will be more to the point if we consider how it may condemn the men of our own time.

1. Christ is " more ( πλεῖον ) than Solomon ." Solomon was the wisest of men; Christ was "the wisdom of God." Solomon, a great king; Christ," King of kings and Lord of lords" ( Revelation 17:4 ). Compare the Song of Solomon with the Beatitudes; the Proverbs with the Sermon on the Mount; Solomon's end and Christ's death. We should not dare to compare them had not He done it before.

2. Christ is here . No need to cross deserts or continents to find Him. "Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above)," etc. ( Romans 10:6 , Romans 10:7 ). And say not, "True, He was present in those Galilean synagogues, in those streets of Jerusalem, but He is not here ." His own words affirm the contrary ( Matthew 28:20 ; Matthew 18:20 , etc.) He is present everywhere.

"One Spirit, His

Who wore the platted crown with bleeding brows,

Fills universal nature."

But more especially is he present in His Church, His word, His sacraments.

3. Christ has come from the uttermost parts of the world to us. It is not we who have to leave a kingdom. He has left His that he may "appoint unto us a kingdom."

"Thy Father's home of light;

Thy rainbow-circled throne,

Were left for earthly night,

For wanderings sad and lone."

And yet men will not listen to Him, will not learn of Him. It is said that ninety-five per cent of our labouring classes do not statedly attend any place of Christian worship. And of those who do, how many do His bidding? In the great assize all these will meet the Queen of the South. She will witness of the journey she took, of the sacrifices she made, of the risks she incurred, to sit at the feet of Solomon. She will tell of Solomon's "ascent," etc; and she will put to shame and everlasting contempt those to whom the words and wisdom, the sacrifice and ascension of the Lord were unholy or indifferent things ( Hebrews 10:29 ).

And not the Queen of the South alone. The kings of the East, Melchior, Jasper, Balthasar—so tradition calls them they too came a long journey to see the child Christ. And how many pagans in Africa, in India, in the islands of the sea, have gone long miles just to hear one sermon from the passing missionary? Will not all these condemn the men of this generation?

III. HER OFFERINGS TO SOLOMON . It was the custom of those days to approach king, seer, etc; with a present (verse 25; Psalms 72:10 ; 1 Samuel 9:7 ; 6:18 ). And she did not come empty. We read of "camels bearing spices," of 120 talents of gold, etc. (verse 10). Now observe:

And shall not her gifts, too, condemn our parsimony? For Christ, the Divine Solomon, has need of our spices and silver and gold. He too is building a temple ( 1 Peter 2:5 ). He too plants store cities and treasures in His realm. He would have the whole round world girdled with Christian temples. He would make it one vast "Paradise" ( Ecclesiastes 2:4 , Ecclesiastes 2:5 ). And He needs our agency and our offerings. He wants the perfume of sacrifice on our part ( Philippians 4:18 ; Ephesians 5:2 ; 2 Corinthians 2:15 ). The Queen of the South did not offer to Solomon of that which cost her nothing. But how seldom is the widow's mite offered to our king. "All these of their abundance have cast in," etc. ( Luke 21:8 ). Compared with her gift how miserable are our subscriptions and offertories. Note: There is a striking similarity between her gifts and those of the Magi. Both too were offered to a king.

IV. SOLOMON 'S GIFTS TO HER . She was not the loser either by her long journey or her costly presents. A prince like Solomon could not permit her to make sacrifices, Noblesse oblige . His generosity must exceed hers. So he gave her "all her desire," "whatsoever she asked" "according to the hand of the king" ( 2 Chronicles 3:13 , Heb.) We see here a picture of the recompenses of our God. "According to his riches in glory" ( Philippians 4:19 ). "Exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" ( Ephesians 3:20 ). "Ask and it shall be given you" ( Matthew 7:7 ). His gifts too are "according to the hand of a king," and what a king! He cannot remain in any man's debt. "A cup of cold water only" He will abundantly recompense.

HOMILIES BY J. WAITE