The Queen of Sheba visits

1 Kings Chapter 10

The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's reputation and she came to test him. Her arrival in Jerusalem was a great caravan of attendants, camels loaded with spices, gold and jewels. When she met with Solomon, they talked about everything she had on her mind and he answered all her questions. Then she realized how wise Solomon was, and when she saw his palace, she was amazed at it and also with the food on his tables, and his organization of officials, and their splendid clothing, offerings etc.

Sheba told Solomon that everything she had heard regarding his achievements and wisdom was true, but she didn't believe it until she saw it with her own eyes. She praised him and told him the Lord his God must be great and delights in Solomon and has made him king so he could rule with justice and righteousness.

Then Sheba gave the king a gift of nine thousand pounds of gold, great quantities of spices and jewels. (Hiram had brought gold from Ophir and cargoes of almug wood and jewels too. But the king used the almug wood to make railings for the Temple, and to construct harps and lyres for the musicians. Never before had there been such a supply of almug wood.) King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba whatever she wanted and she and her caravan returned to their own land.

Each year Solomon received about twenty five tons of gold. This did not include the additional revenue he received from merchants and traders, the kings of Arabia, and governors of the land. He mad two hundred large shield of hammered gold and three thousand smaller ones and placed all the shields in the Palace. Then he made a huge ivory throne and overlaid it with gold. Each armrest had a figure of a lion standing and no other throne in the world could be compared with it. His drinking cups were gold, as well as his utensils. Silver held little value in these times.

Solomon had a fleet of trading ships and he became wiser and richer than any other king. People came from all nations to visit him and hear his wisdom and they brought him gifts too. Solomon had a huge force of chariots and horses, many imported from Egypt.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Solomon's accumulation of wealth was violating God's commands for a king (Deuteronomy 17: 14-20). God knew these activities would hurt the nation politically and spiritually. The more luxurious Solomon's court became, the more the people were taxed and soon would revolt. Solomon forgot God and allowed pagan influences to enter his court through his pagan wives.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Sometimes we see prosperity as proof of right living. But many people are able to see past the veil of material possessions. Wealth does not prove a person is living right before God any more than poverty does not indicate sin. The greatest gift is the gift of salvaton freely offered by God. This gift is available to us each and every day of our lives. I hope you choose to accept the gift of salvation from God and let him fulfill his promise to you of a place in heaven.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home from the hospital and having rehab for the paralysis on one side of her body. Continue to pray for her recovery.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: She has shed the feeding tube and is taking formula on her own! But breathing problems are still with her, though improving all the time. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed. She has been moved to a St. Louis hospital.
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake,those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.