(REFLECTIONS ON 1 Kings 10:1-13)

1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with difficult questions…4 When the queen of Sheba perceived all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food of his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his waiters and their attire, his cupbearers, and his stairway by which he went up to the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her.

The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, and upon coming to Jerusalem, she now perceived it for herself. Scripture says that she came to test him with difficult questions. Certainly, Solomon had the wisdom to answer all her questions, and the queen of Sheba heard and saw all that he possessed. But was that the true test?

Was Solomon’s test merely to convince the queen of Sheba that what she had heard from afar was true? She perceived Solomon’s wisdom and all that he had built. Yet perhaps the greater test for Solomon was whether he would remember his commitment to the Lord and continue to walk in His ways.

8 How blessed are your men, how blessed are these your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom.

How would Solomon receive these words? The queen of Sheba came because of what she had heard; now it was Solomon who was being tested by what he heard. Did he hear a compliment about his wisdom, or did he recognize the Lord who had been walking with him and blessing him all along?

Did the queen of Sheba’s praise help Solomon remember to give glory to God, or did it feed and strengthen his ego? Did it make him feel invincible, all-powerful, and all-knowing? Even though she acknowledged that these blessings came from the Lord, the real test for Solomon was whether he himself would remember that.

Brothers and sisters, we also face difficult questions in our lives and in our faith. The world questions us, family members question us, and sometimes we even question ourselves. We are tested from every side. Yet the key is not whether we answer those questions in a way that causes people to admire our wisdom, what we have built, or the legacy we leave behind. The key is whether they perceive the Lord in us.

Christ in us is what we should desire others to perceive when they come to test us with difficult questions. Perhaps some will be disappointed. Perhaps some will even look down on us. But if Christ is our life, then we must remember that it is not about convincing others of our greatness. Rather, living in Christ means taking up our cross daily and following Him.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: 1 Kings 10