Bible Men: King Solomon: Notes On the Meaning of Vanity

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. 1Ki 10:1  

The Queen of Sheba: When the Heart Catches Fire

The heart is a restless organ. We are born desiring to know. Some things are irresistible. They are like “coals of fire which hath a most vehement flame.” “Many waters cannot quench love,” Solomon’s lover sang, and neither can a flood drown the hunger for truth.

Even in New Testament Christ commended the queen for her relentless search for truth. “The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here” (Mat 12:42). Will he commend me and you?

Granted, such struggles are common even in men, but they are most fervent in a woman. She literally leaves no stone unturned until she has found her missing coin. A man would sooner forget it and move on.

It’s true that it’s hazardous for a man to be too serious about everything. But equally it’s perilous for a man to be frivolous about everything in life. I think the right note is not to take mystical things lightly, like love, and death, and truth. Such was the tragedy of the men in the Parable of the Great Banquet who disdained the king’s invitation for a scrap of earth and flesh (Luke 14:15-24).

The queen of Sheba was not like that. History was calling and she wanted to be in it. “And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom” (1Ki 4:34).  

She heard the fame. Now she was ready to test it for herself. “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” (1Ki 10:1).  

Many have attempted a task. But they soon gave up. The queen was adoringly astute. “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” (1Ki 10:2).  

Men are great travellers. But men are invariably poor communicators. The queen “communed with him of all that was in her heart.” It’s the people who ask questions who find answers.

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. 1Ki 10:3-5 

Don’t be Feeble, Have Courage

We are given life, not just to gaze at, but to question it, and where possible to write down our findings.

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Act 17:11

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. 1Pe 3:15  

Don’t ignore anything. Question everything. Such was the path the queen took. And walking along it she emerged into the open field of eternal sunshine.

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. 1Ki 10:6-7 

What is that which is burning inside your heart? Ask God to show you what it is. He is faithful and he will do it.

For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Psa 107:9 

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Luk 11:9-10 

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jer 29:13  

The Grace of God is Irresistible

Many kings were drawn to Jerusalem to see this king. But all had different purposes. Maybe it was curiosity for some. Maybe sheer jealous for others. But don’t be afraid. Ask. Christ has come and today not everyone has to go to Jerusalem. Just call on him wherever you are. Ask him hard questions and you will find you have a ready friend waiting to hear you.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isa 1:18  

Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Isa 41:21  

Christmas is coming and many will be driven to “Jerusalem” to see this king. Quite many still will be driven for other reasons. Not that it is wrong. Only that it seems vain. What is a greater sight to behold than the king of the whole world – the king of history?

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:  Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Mat 13:44-46 

Yes the grace of God is a gift. If you have it please rejoice in it and pray also for those other wayfarers who don’t have it yet.