And when the Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon.
The Queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon
I. The spirit which prompted the visit.
1. A spirit of curiosity.
2. A spirit of inquiry.
3. A spirit of restlessness.
4. A spirit of self-sacrifice.
She undertook a long and risky journey. A reproof, says Christ, to indifference and stupidity concerning Himself.
II. The mutual inter- course during the visit.
1. Solomon answered her questions.
2. Received her gifts.
III. The impressions received from the visit.
1. She was astonished at the magnificence of Solomon.
2. She was surprised at the wisdom of Solomon.
3. She was confirmed in her belief concerning Solomon.
Faith exercised will be greatly strengthened. This just the result--
1. Of honest search after truth.
2. Of personal intercourse with Christ.
3. Of engagement in God’s service. (J. Wolfendale.)
Hard questions
This is what the Bible itself asks for; in effect the Bible says, “Prove me, put me to the test, under all circumstances of triumph, joy, need, fear, and see if I have not within me a better answer than can be found in any other book.” This is the criticism to which Jesus Christ is always willing to submit Himself. It is His complaint that we do not ask Him questions enough, the assumption of course being that all inquiries are put in a reverent and faithful spirit. There is a question-asking to which the Bible will pay no heed, and there is a question-asking which Christ will regard as impious and frivolous. Whatever we really want to know with our hearts, whatever is necessary for us to know, Jesus Christ is willing to answer. When we bring our riddles and enigmas to Christ, they must be riddles and enigmas that express the very agony of desire. To our speculation or curiosity Christ may have nothing to say, or if He condescend to speak to us it may be in tones of rebuke and repulse. Do not be afraid to put hard questions to Christ. The Queen of Sheba did not put any flippant questions to Solomon; she rather sought out the most difficult inquiries which it was possible to propound. The meaning of this is that we are to ask the very hardest questions which our soul wishes to have answered, always remembering that there are some questions which need not be answered in time, and which indeed could not be answered to our present incomplete or depraved capacity and power. Properly considered, it may be impossible to put any easy questions to Christ within the range of the scope which His mission fills. (J. Parker, D. D.)
The Queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon
I. The meeting together of these representatives of two different nations had the happy effect of drawing closer the bonds or unity.
II. The beneficial effect which the exhibition or the works of national industry may have upon the thoughtful and well-governed mind. The things seen by the Queen of Sheba did much to correct and enlarge her mind; far more than all her previous intelligence and inquiry.
III. The spectacle of works of art and man’s device, vast, multiform, and beautiful, reflects as in a mirror the wondrous powers of man’s mind. As we turn from the statue to the mind that sketched and the hand that chiselled out the wonderful design, so let us turn from man with all his wonderful skill and give to God the glory. The Queen of Sheba returned to her home with higher thoughts of God than she had before.
IV. The impressive spectacle of Solom’s devotion. The Queen admired “the ascent by which he went up into the house of the Lord.” Some understand these words of a magnificent communication which Solomon had prepared between his palace and the courts of the temple; while others explain them of the cheerful and fervent solemnity with which he worshipped, showing that his heart was deeply engaged in the hallowed and hallowing service. (S. Bridge, M. A.)
Heart communing
We have in Christ one greater than Solomon.
I. We ought to communicate with Him of all that is in our heart. Neglect of intercourse with Jesus--
1. Is very unkind.
2. Betrays the sad fact of something wrong.
3. Shows a want of confidence in His love, sympathy, and wisdom.
4. Will be the cause of uneasiness in ourselves.
5. Will involve the loss of counsel and help.
6. Is greatly aggravated by eagerness to tell our troubles to others.
II. We need not cease communing for want of topics.
1. Our sorrows.
2. Our joys.
3. Our service.
4. Our plans.
5. Our success and failures.
6. Our desires.
7. Our fears.
8. Our lives.
9. Our mysteries.
III. Nor shall we cease communing for want of reasons. Intercourse with Christ--
1. Is ennobling and elevating.
2. Consoling and encouraging.
3. Sanctifying and refining.
4. Safe and healthy.
5. Delightful and heavenly. (C. H. Spurgeon.)