The Queen of Sheba was a powerful ruler who traveled to Jerusalem to test King Solomon's wisdom with difficult questions. She was deeply impressed by his wisdom, wealth, and organization, and praised the God of Israel for giving Israel such a king.
Key events
Hearing About Solomon's Fame
The Queen of Sheba heard about Solomon's reputation and his relationship with the Lord, and decided to test him with riddles.
2She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large retinue—camels loaded with spices, a great quantity of gold, and precious stones. She came to Solomon and spoke with him about everything that was on her mind,
2She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large retinue—camels loaded with spices, a great quantity of gold, and precious stones. She came to Solomon and spoke with him about everything that was on her mind,
5the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it left her breathless.
She blessed the Lord, the God of Israel, who had taken pleasure in Solomon and placed him on the throne of Israel to administer justice and righteousness.
9"Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel. Because the LORD loves Israel forever, he has made you king to administer justice and righteousness."
She gave the king 120 talents of gold, a very large amount of spices, and precious stones. Solomon gave her everything she asked for, and she returned to her own land.
10Then she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again did such an abundance of spices come as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
13King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba everything she asked for, besides what he gave her out of his royal bounty. Then she and her servants returned to her own country.