The Queen of Sheba: The Test of King Solomon (1 Kings 10, 2 Chronicles 9)
Hey Kids’ Ministry Families!
Do you know someone really, really smart? Maybe a genius scientist, or a teacher who knows everything? Well, in the Bible, there was one person who was known as the smartest man who ever lived: King Solomon!
This week, we are looking at the amazing story of a powerful queen who traveled hundreds of miles just to see if the rumors about Solomon’s wisdom were true. Get ready to meet the Queen of Sheba!
Bible Passage: 1 Kings 10, 2 Chronicles 9
Key Truth for Today: Jesus has all the wisdom and all the answers we will ever need
A Long, Long Travel to Seek for Wisdom!
The Queen of Sheba was a super important ruler from a country very far away. She had everything: tons of gold, precious jewels, and camels loaded with the very best spices.
But she heard stories—amazing stories—about King Solomon in Jerusalem. People said he was the wisest person on Earth because God had given him a special gift of understanding.
The Queen was smart herself, but she didn’t believe everything she heard. So, she decided to take a long, dusty, difficult trip to test him!
The Trial of Wisdom
Upon arriving in Jerusalem, the Queen was received by King Solomon. The text emphasizes that she presented him with “all that was in her heart.” These “hard questions” were intended to challenge the limits of human knowledge and insight.
The Bible clearly states the outcome of this intellectual contest:
“And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her.” (1 Kings 10:3)
Overwhelmed by Splendor
After the exhaustive intellectual test, the Queen was then given a tour of Solomon’s kingdom. What she witnessed of his life and works left her utterly “breathless” (or, as some translations say, “there was no more spirit in her”). She was not only impressed by the quality of his architecture but by the spiritual and administrative harmony of his court.
The things that particularly impressed her were:
- The House (Temple and Palace): The magnificence of the building Solomon had built, including the splendor of the Lord’s Temple.
- The Food: The provisions of his table, showing the abundance and organization of his kingdom.
- The Court: The seating arrangement of his officials and the professional service of his ministers.
- The Vestments: The attire of his servants.
- The Ascent: The special covered walkway or “ascent” by which Solomon went up to the House of the Lord, perhaps a grand public procession showing the connection between the kingdom and its God.
More Than Just Smart
After her test, the Queen was amazed. But then she got the grand tour! She saw:
- Solomon’s palace (It was bigger than a theme park!)
- His table (There was food for thousands of people!)
- His servants (They were always calm and professional!)
- The incredible Temple he built for the Lord God!
When she saw all the beauty, organization, and peace in Jerusalem, the Queen was totally overwhelmed. The Bible says she had “no more spirit left in her.” She couldn’t breathe because she was so amazed!
The Queen’s Confession and Blessing
Completely overwhelmed by the combined demonstration of wisdom and splendor, the Queen offered one of the most remarkable testimonials found in the Bible:
“The report was true that I heard in my own land regarding your words and your wisdom. But I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the fame of which I heard.” (1 Kings 10:6-7)
This confession established that Solomon’s reality was even greater than his legend. The Queen then shifted her focus from praising Solomon to praising the source of his greatness: God.
“Blessed be the Lord your God who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to execute justice and righteousness.” (1 Kings 10:9)
She recognized that Solomon’s reign was not merely a matter of human genius but a divine appointment driven by God’s eternal love for His people, Israel.
The Exchange of Gifts and Departure
The visit concluded with a spectacular exchange of gifts. The Queen of Sheba gave Solomon:
- 120 talents of gold (a massive amount, likely exceeding four tons).
- A very great quantity of spices.
- Precious stones.
The biblical account notes that “never again came such an abundance of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.”
In return, Solomon gave the Queen all that she desired and asked for, “besides what Solomon gave her of his royal bounty.” Having accomplished her mission—testing the king and witnessing the glory of the God of Israel—the Queen and her servants departed and returned to her own country.
Lasting Significance
The visit of the Queen of Sheba serves as a powerful testament to the unique, God-given wisdom and unparalleled wealth of King Solomon. It marks the high point of Israel’s Golden Age, where the kingdom’s spiritual influence extended even to the most powerful foreign rulers.
Centuries later, Jesus referenced this event, highlighting its spiritual importance:
“The Queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.” (Matthew 12:42)
Jesus used the Queen’s tireless journey and ultimate conversion as an example of a devoted seeker of truth, implicitly contrasting her spiritual hunger with the spiritual blindness of many in His own time who refused to recognize the far greater wisdom standing before them. The story remains an enduring narrative of a foreign ruler who traveled across the vast desert, not for gold or territory, but solely for wisdom—and found it, along with the source of true blessing.
The Lesson for Us
The Queen of Sheba traveled to the other side of the world to find wisdom. Today, we don’t have to travel far!
Our Lord Jesus said that He is greater than Solomon! (Matthew 12:42)
Jesus has all the wisdom and all the answers we will ever need. The Queen sought out the world’s smartest man; we get to seek out the Son of God who is wisdom itself!
Challenge Question for the Week! If you could ask Jesus one question, what would it be? (He already knows the answer, but it’s good to ask!)
Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon Coloring Page
Queen of Sheba Bible Lesson for Kids Download Here!
