1 Reis 10

1 Reis 10

Wiersbe says: Our fame and God's name must go together (v. 1). If God magnifies your name (Josh. 3:7; 6:27), be sure He gets the glory (Ps. 135:13). Fame is a heavy burden to bear, and only God can help us do it wisely. The queen traveled twelve hundred miles to see and hear Solomon. Her reasons were both personal and political, for she wanted to enter into trade agreements with the king. The people of Jesus' day rejected a "greater than Solomon" who was there among them (Matt. 12:42), and they were judged for it. (Bible Exposition Commentary ) Brian Bell - If God magnifies your name, make sure He gets the glory for it. Ps.135:13 Fame is a heavy burden to bear, and only God can help us do it wisely. Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to Your Name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth. -- Psalm 115:1+ Edith Deen in All the Women in the Bible (page 137-142) writes "The Queen of Sheba, who came to prove/verify, lives on now, nearly 30 centuries since her visit, as a woman who spirit of adventure and whose resourcefulness, courage, and curiosity have not been surpassed by any queen history. And certainly her sense of good public and international relations is unparalleled among women of a Bible. She came - She came indicates made a volitional choice. Without going too far in speculation, I have to believe the Spirit of God was at work because she hears not just about a man but about His God. And she is moved (I believe by the Spirit) to make a long and difficult trip to inquire about these two names, One of which could change her eternal destiny. If a heart is seeking for God, God will find a way to either bring the good news to them or as in this case, bring them to the good news! Was she saved? We cannot be dogmatic, but her reaction in 1Ki 10:9 and Jesus' commendation of her would support the premise she was saved. She reminds me of another powerful pagan ruler named Nebuchadnezzar, who I think there is a good chance we will meet in heaven (cf Da 4:34-37+). To test (nacah/nasah; Lxx - peirazo) him with difficult questions (chidah; Lxx - ainigma) - NET = "to challenge him with difficult questions." YLT = "to try him with enigmas." She was not trying to trip Solomon up but to discern whether what she had heard about his wisdom was true. The Greek word for difficult questions is ainigma which clearly gives us English "enigma" and which means requires special acumen to understand because it is expressed in puzzling fashion. Joseph Hammond adds "The Arabian mind has ever delighted in dark sayings, enigmas, &c., and extensive collections of these have been made by Burckhardt and others (see Keil in loc.)." (Pulpit Commentary) Wiseman - "The hard (‘enigmatic’, REB) questions (chidah) were not just ‘riddles’, as in Judges 14:12, but included difficult diplomatic and ethical questions (ED: THIS LATTER STATEMENT IS SOMEWHAT SPECULATIVE) . According to Josephus, Hiram had made similar approaches. The test was not an academic exercise but to see if he would be a trustworthy business partner and a reliable ally capable of giving help." (See 1 and 2 Kings: An Introduction and Commentary - Page 139) Alexander Whyte says: I SHALL take up somewhat high ground with you concerning the Queen of Sheba. For, so far as I have seen, that wonderful woman has never had adequate justice done to her. As I see her, the Queen of Sheba came to Jerusalem on the very highest of errands. She was moved to undertake her journey by the very strongest and the very loftiest of motives. And she saw and heard and took home in her heart far more than her very highest expectations. (See full article THE QUEEN OF THE SOUTH SHALL RISE UP IN THE JUDGMENT WITH THE MEN OF THIS GENERATION, AND CONDEMN THEM) Matthew