Ep. 98. 1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9 | The Queen of Sheba

EPISODE 98

THE QUEEN OF SHEBA: 1 KINGS 10-11, 2 CHRONICLES 9-10

The Queen of Sheba is an impressive woman but not nearly as impressive a person as Solomon. Solomon's wisdom and wealth are so overwhelming that the Queen says, "I did not believe the reports [about you] until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard." The gifts the Queen brought to Solomon pale in comparison to the gifts he sends her home with.

But for all of Solomon's wisdom, he would not be wise enough to be faithful to the Lord. He amassed wealth and wives for himself. He bought horses from Egypt and Kue. In his later years, his heart was drawn after the idols his wives served. "For when Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David, his father." Solomon served Astoreth, Milcom, Chemosh, and Molech. Molech was particularly known for requiring child sacrifice. It becomes evident that Solomon did not love the Lord, so God raised people as adversaries to him. Solomon died in dishonor and far from God.

ADDITIONAL READING: Deuteronomy 17:14-20