Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 July 1915 — QUEEN OF SHEBA VISITS SOLOMON [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

QUEEN OF SHEBA VISITS SOLOMON

1 Kings 10:1-10, 13.—August 1. King Solomon’s Renown —A Distinguished Visitor Solomon’s Great Engineering and Architectural treats. His Literary Attainments—“ The Half Was Not Told’’—“A Greater Than Solomon”—Riches of Divine Favor. I

“Wisdom is better than rubies."—Prov. 8:11. IN answer to King Solomon’s prayer for wisdom God gave him wisdom and riches that made him world-famous. By the middle of his rei&n King Solomon had accomplished marvels for nation. Its fame spread to every land. lie war known as the wise king, the peaceful king, the rich king. The visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon was probably about the middle of his reign. She came, it is supposed, a joumey of 1,500 miles, with quite a large retinue of servants and camels and with valuable presents of gold and Arabian perfumes. Our lesson gives the queen’s own statement of her object in coming to see King Solomon, ami of how she found the facts to be more than double all the stories told respecting King Solomon’s wisdom, riches and prosperity.

The Wonders of Solomon. The Temple of the Lord, materials for which his father David had prepared years before, was one of the first marvels, of King Solomon’s reign. Then the king’s palace and the corridor, or ascent which led from his house to the Temple, were marvelous for any time until the wonders of engineering and architecture brought forward during the past century, noted in the Bible as the period of God’s preparation for Messiah’s Kingdom.—Nahum 2:3. Another great engineering feat was cabled tile Bools of Solomon—tile system of water supply for Jerusalem. These pools were connected by covered aqueducts, the first known in histo-

ry. Additionally, he bui I t fortresses throughout his kingdom, and extended its boundaries to the full limits, set by the Lord long .before. (Genesis 15: IS. i Xe a r Joppa (Jaffa) he had a harbor for ships, which is now cut off completely from _ the sea. and, having

. radually till'd up with earth, has becoihe a beautiful ' range grove. But his largest port of entry* was at Tyre- not in bis dominion. He did business through the king of Tyre; arid unitedly their ship* traversed the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, etc., bringing

commerce from all parts or the world and affording facilities for importing goods not produced in Palestine. Thus he became teo rich that figuratively it was said that the precious metals were as common jas stones in Jerusalem. Although busied with these enterprises. King Solomon at heart was loyal to God; and his reign, by the time of the Queen of Sheba’s visit, seems to have been wonderful. Later, satiated with the blessings of life, the king seems to have been less wise, less a man after God’s own heart, and less thoughtful for his people. It is difficult, especially for the poor, to realize how great are the temptations of the rich and the danger that even a wise man may become foolish through the gratification of his every desire. Incidentally. we should not forget King Solomon's literary achievements. He wrote three thousand proverbs and a thousand songs. Surely the Lord did for him all that He had promised. It was this great King Solomon that the Queen of Sheba visited, with presents of gold and spices, desiring to learn to a certainty respecting his won-

derful wisdom. She had questions to ask, probably respecting God and tbe future life; for apparently she recognized in King Solomon more than human wisdom, and accredited to him wisdom from on High. See Verses 8 and 0. “Solomon gave unto the queen all of

her desire, whatsoever she asked; besides which, Solomon gave her of his royal bounty”—a present. "A Greater Than Solomon,” Jesus remarked on this story, and marvelled that there were no more to appreciate Ilimself and Ilis wonderful lessons respecting the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 12:42.) For people to travel a long distance merely to know about the wisdom of God such as King Solomon possessed, would imply that if it were known that a still wiser One could be conferred with. He would be sought; and if it should be known that this wiser One was heir to the world and was seeking a ■Bride, how many might lie expected to; hasten to Him and a -ccpt t'u- •-enereu:- proposal! - This is: exactly the cmuiitiOn of things. God's Son. ;r Co: din. to the Divine iTogru:,:. 'is.■■.selecting a Bride class.. The first Opportunity to be of this elect company was given to Abraham’s natural seed. Had they accepted their privileges, the Church would have lecm Completed iii Jesus’ day. Nevertheless, a wonderfully large part of that little nation accepted Jesus. Then the door of this High Calling was thrown open to the Gentiles. Their unreadiness is indicated by the fact that it has required eighteen centuries; to complete the elect number.

The Queen of Sheba's Visit.

Solomon and The Queen of Sheba.