0523. SOLOMON AND THE QUEEN OF SHEBA;

SOLOMON AND THE QUEEN OF SHEBA;

Or, Christ and His Servants, 1Ki_10:1-10

A greater than Solomon is here (Mat_12:42). We have perhaps a picture here of the glory that shall yet characterise the "Greater Solomon" and His servants in the age to come (Isa_60:1-6). What brought the Queen of Sheba to behold the wisdom and glory of Solomon has brought many a humbler one to behold the greater glory of Jesus, viz., "the hearing of faith." We might consider-

I. What She Heard. "She heard of his fame."

1. THE FAME OF HIS RICHES. "Silver was nothing accounted in his days" (1Ki_10:21). But what are the riches of Christ? (Eph_3:8; Col_2:9).

2. THE FAME OF HIS WISDOM. This was the wisdom that cometh from above (1Ki_3:12). Many seek after wisdom (1Ki_10:24) who reject Christ, the wisdom of God (1Co_1:24-30; Jam_1:5).

3. THE FAME OF HIS POWER. Concerning the Name of the Lord. If Solomon’s intimacy with God made him great, what must we say of Him who was "God manifest in the flesh?" (Php_2:9).

II. What She Did. She did not make light of it, like those in Mat_22:5. Nor postpone it like Felix (Act_24:25).

1. SHE CAME TO HIM. This was much better than merely thinking about him. When the prodigal came to himself he came to his Father (Joh_6:37).

2. SHE COMMUNED WITH HIM. "She told him all that was in her heart" (1Ki_10:2), and the king hid nothing from her (1Ki_10:3). A full confession brings fullness of blessing (Psa_32:5-7). Oh, the joy of telling Jesus! Cast thy burden on the Lord (Mat_14:12).

III. What She Saw.

1. SHE SAW HIS WISDOM. Having come to Christ, the wisdom of God in the scheme of redemption has greatly amazed us (Eph_1:4-8).

2. SHE SAW HIS HOUSE. The Church of Christ as an house fitly framed together is the next marvel (Eph_2:19-22).

3. SHE SAW HIS TABLE. The great and liberal provision God has made in Christ for His own (2Co_9:8).

4. SHE SAW HIS ASCENT. (Probably the arched viaduct that led from his house to the Temple.) The ascent of the "Greater than Solomon" was much more glorious (Act_1:9).

5. SHE SAW HIS SERVANTS. (a) Their position– "Sitting" (Luk_10:39). (b) Their privilege- "Continually with thee hearing thy wisdom" (1Ki_10:8; Joh_6:45). (c) Their pleasure-"Happy are these, thy servants" (1Ki_10:8; Psa_100:2; Rom_5:11).

IV. What Followed. The results were manifest-

1. SHE WAS HUMBLED. "There was no more spirit, in her." Seeing the Lord means a downfall (Act_9:4; Rev_1:17).

2. SHE CONFESSED. "It was a true report." Those who come to Jesus will be forced to acknowledge the truth of the Gospel.

3. SHE PRAISED. "Blessed be the Lord." This is the result of a satisfied soul (Psa_103:1-5).

4. SHE GAVE. "She gave the king gold" (1Ki_10:10) "Yield yourselves unto God" (Rom_12:1-2).

Autor: James Smith