Sunday, May 29, 2016

Reflection - The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon

Source Website: http://www.womeninthebible.net/queen_sheba.htm
By Bible Study Resource for Women in the Bible: The Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon - Women of the Old Testament


The Queen of Sheba is not named, but her title has become famous in history and literature.
PHOTO: The Queen of Sheba is not named, but her title has become famous in history and literature. She visits King Solomon, speaks to him on equal terms, and is impressed by his intellect and wealth (1 Kings 10:1-13).
A painting of Gina Lollobrigida as the Queen of Sheba from Cosmopolitan magazine
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgHvcfaT00jl7HtvsdWIX5aYHiSM0IkPWp3Wakx4cDmrfth81vK4DbmfOD58W7VGpDxesbqvw3RJAFPCgBISx059J3ccuRXSUV8VAV14LWKTR0yTZKHaw1TqwB0g-Egq8NGJn8G2biVw/s1600/gina18-1.png
http://mfwright.com/lollobrigida/gina18.jpg
http://mfwright.com/lollobrigida/gina18.html


[1] The Queen of Sheba is not named, but her title has become famous in history and literature. Solomon Hebrew 'shelomoh', means 'his replacement', perhaps referring to his mother Bathsheba’s first son, who died soon after birth.

Main theme of the story
The power of an intelligent woman. The Queen acts as Solomon's equal. She knows her own worth. There is a message here for all women.

The story of the Queen of Sheba has one episode: She visits King Solomon, speaks to him on equal terms, and is impressed by his intellect and wealth (1 Kings 10:1-13).


The power of an intelligent woman.
PHOTO: The power of an intelligent woman. The Queen acts as Solomon's equal. She knows her own worth. There is a message here for all women.
Painting by Sir Edward John Poynter (England 1836–1919) - The visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon 1881-90 (aka The Queen of Sheba before Solomon)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7R4POMAp1_oYC8ZBeMpjqPpfVXeKeAh5RDURJFEjYHvRovXZ6t7oPKQqwR1XEzSsU10pu-jtIfyq6Xze0tXkVrsY9Fj7tddCU2NYt_oXNIH1gYcbbchcQLknIr8OAXDlUd-f7G-LOZA/s1600/57019775_1.jpg
http://image87.360doc.com/DownloadImg/2015/08/1119/57019775_1.jpg
http://www.360doc.com/content/15/0811/19/19485026_491026614.shtml


Who was she?
Who was this legendary figure who came flaunting herself (and her wealth) at King Solomon's court? Most probably she was from Ethiopia, a queen in her own right - a royal woman used to getting her own way and confidently sure of her worth.


Who was the Queen of Sheba?
PHOTO: Who was the Queen of Sheba? Most probably she was from Ethiopia, a queen in her own right - a royal woman used to getting her own way and confidently sure of her worth. Based on details from the Bible supplemented by the evidence of Assyrian remains unearthed in the 1840s, the Queen of Sheba is a mysterious and alluring figure followed by an exotic retinue (a group of advisers, assistants, or others accompanying an important person) bearing her gifts for Solomon, of gold, gems and spices.
Painting by Sir Edward John Poynter (England 1836–1919) - The visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon 1881-90 (aka The Queen of Sheba before Solomon)
Picture posted by Jerry Dohnal, taken on 4 April 2012
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPa8G1Ue3HAquJXiLmMM-leqJxTYmcrvPQ6ZCUGA51WJHxmiVXJ2kf1l1O5d7T9U8rCOn3TULiSB6aQRnKYoYpjRBNhZaDnRU6Lz3o6o0U1HJXW9Z4c8kSxa_puliYbhzkEm84Rezzo4/s1600/7202567650_edb592339a_b-1.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8027/7202567650_edb592339a_b.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jaroslavd/7202567650


She was not the only queen in the ancient world. Egypt and Assyria had women who ruled, and a number of queens of the 8th and 7th centuries BC are listed in Assyrian inscriptions. In Sheba, women played an important role in society and were equal to men in nearly all spheres, with civil, religious and military rights and duties much like a man’s. Polygamy was uncommon in Sheba.


Who was this legendary figure who came flaunting herself (and her wealth) at King Solomon's court?
PHOTO: Who was this legendary figure who came flaunting herself (and her wealth) at King Solomon's court? In Sheba, women played an important role in society and were equal to men in nearly all spheres, with civil, religious and military rights and duties much like a man’s.
Painting by Sir Edward John Poynter (England 1836–1919) - The visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon 1881-90 (aka The Queen of Sheba before Solomon)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGND9oU8RYr-m0sppXLC9OxWcgsNSI00S196FUIwNNQYRO0RlpU7YRCgG0YxdUVmaDcGAOrzYtOTL3OP5DsRozcqZNeQcoGjPCdiaoB15hQQWRm9KkMvd6GVowgvoU1a7vTNb7fAU5Vk/s1600/Queen_Sheba_AG.jpg
http://www.womeninthebible.net/Queen_Sheba_AG.jpg
http://www.womeninthebible.net/queen_sheba.htm


Was there an affair between the Queen and Solomon?
The Queen's statement to Solomon 'happy are your wives', is ambiguous to say the least, and according to ancient tradition, the queen took a child back to Sheba - hers and Solomon's. The emperor of Ethiopia traced his direct lineage from this baby. The Bible does not mention it.


Was there an affair between the Queen and Solomon?
PHOTO: Was there an affair between the Queen and Solomon? The Queen's statement to Solomon 'happy are your wives', and according to ancient tradition, the queen took a child back to Sheba - hers and Solomon's. The Bible does not mention it. Whatever the truth, Solomon had such a reputation for enjoying the company of women that people have speculated that there was more to their relationship than just diplomacy.
Painting by Henry Siemiradzki - "Phryne at the Festival of Poseidon" (1889, Russian Museum) 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2YdSqQXeJrE2TUmzeYGW-rZdRY7zWKgOY2UnvyqBMIWY07v7i7aBorAPTizZ5-mph8j8wVk3avTlL_w5otH-zjqnVe-FRW4r69KxjsizAZ_a3d0vQLdS0qWmbVWzag7OgIqKkXz0rUg/s1600/be6189e1d8624a298f44a9db6a4e397b-1.jpg
http://blistar.net/images/photos/be6189e1d8624a298f44a9db6a4e397b.jpg
http://je-nny.livejournal.com/5027595.html?thread=9882123


Whatever the truth, Solomon had such a reputation for enjoying the company of women that people have speculated that there was more to their relationship than just diplomacy. He had, after all, a large number of foreign wives and concubines - the Bible mentions one thousand, though they were not 'wives' in the sense that we use the word. There would have been
  • about ten to twenty main wives, headed by the mother of the heir to the throne and including foreign princesses
  • the current favourite
  • perhaps eighty to a hundred secondary wives or concubines
  • and thousands of female servants who did all the day-to-day work in the women's quarters of the royal harem. 

    Solomon had such a reputation for enjoying the company of women that people have speculated that there was more to their relationship than just diplomacy.
    PHOTO: Solomon had such a reputation for enjoying the company of women that people have speculated that there was more to their relationship than just diplomacy. He had, a large number of foreign wives and concubines - the Bible mentions one thousand.
    Painting by Edward John Poynter
    https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRMTXPmM7vH2EsrSsFHIoDu-7C4l5sAVthyphenhyphenEsjcIWONRd5wwWW9PBcZrE9ua7imr_JOZ0EdNIdvGq7oPuxAra_o5RBk1S9LebAVMM-YGwUOH1CA2l4ZfpMjHC9DJ-PhWHBMAggvhsmuM/s1600/6597980162285168092.jpg
    http://img1.ph.126.net/1W_Ojiw_p6UkvFsiMhA9pg==/6597980162285168092.jpg
    http://jsl641124.blog.163.com/blog/static/1770251432013317104340950/


    What happened while the Queen of Sheba was at Solomon's court? An affair between two equals?  The traditional Bible translation says that after seeing all Solomon had to offer, 'there was no more spirit in her'. An alternative translation is that 'he took her breath away'. Solomon may have met his match, and so may she.


    What happened while the Queen of Sheba was at Solomon's court?
    PHOTO: What happened while the Queen of Sheba was at Solomon's court? An affair between two equals?  The traditional Bible translation says that after seeing all Solomon had to offer, 'he took her breath away'. Solomon may have met his match, and so may she.
    Painting by Edward Slocombe - Queen of Saba (1907)
    Picture posted by Bukowski Auktioner AB
    https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHPzn76Y7Cts-AJ4YSVwAXW5XKcb5If8BprmIpbqYD2xiHJOlc9xXSwtaHOW59ET0ULsV-Wo37MLQtaCeBFYB_ePtEODkyqaxBBBlEMp0q1sQ5hPfAniixXNFcwOFL_vuPwTihXFjkJc/s1600/8330223_fullsize.jpg
    https://d2mpxrrcad19ou.cloudfront.net/item_images/319868/8330223_fullsize.jpg
    https://www.bukowskis.com/en/auctions/568/203-edward-slocombe-drottningen-av-saba


    Why did she go to Solomon's court?
    A reasonable political cause for the visit of the Queen can be found in
    • Solomon's control of the head of the Gulf of Aqabah (hence of the route that would cross from Arabia to Egypt) and
    • the sea trade that he had inaugurated, which would seriously threaten the caravan trade that had made the southern Arabian kingdoms rich.

    Why did she go to Solomon's court?
    PHOTO: Why did she go to Solomon's court?
    A reasonable political cause for the visit of the Queen can be found in Solomon's control of the head of the Gulf of Aqabah (hence of the route that would cross from Arabia to Egypt).
    Picture posted by Sable, the-skyrock-team on Monday, 04 May 2015 at 5:27 PMhttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWb1_YB6cG3hwk87Z7H63J5F26fb5YY2l1zwMY0gS8dCxb7OmAurOBkwaWQFwBK2-Fm6LgY1TLvOBSNCqQvc8TKx2J84gkkNQCCYp9OhpLYuwbf6fd8dmRaNgvRm-b7lCi1uOOAlvfcI/s1600/wir.skyrock.net%25284%2529.jpg


    Saba (or Sheba) was one of the most important southern Arabian kingdoms. It played a major role in the trade of the area, especially in spices and incense for which south-western Arabia was famous.

    Following the introduction of the camel, Sheba began at about the time of the Queen's visit a commercial expansion which in a few centuries brought them control of the whole trade of a wide area of southern and central Arabia. It may well have been the Queen who kick-started this expansion.


    Following the introduction of the camel, Sheba began at about the time of the Queen's visit a commercial expansion
    PHOTO: Following the introduction of the camel, Sheba began at about the time of the Queen's visit a commercial expansion which in a few centuries brought them control of the whole trade of a wide area of southern and central Arabia. It may well have been the Queen who kick-started this expansion.
    Picture posted by Mary Vee on Wednesday, 20 March 2013
    https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHGHBsdpmsvgSTnVj0Y3qy2alKK-rpgafe2lhoYPEhpvYPLqFOaYyVN83r4btD-1-yztDi9_jzacAS_WUOAv02USuWo6apNu8SQGkcxhUuuizG3TXl26wzFWKbc6XSnYu-Ahm7rMF0R4/s1600/queen_of_sheba__image_1_sjpg2050.jpg
    http://christianimagesource.com/queen_of_sheba__image_1_sjpg2050.jpg
    http://mimaryvee.blogspot.sg/2013_03_01_archive.html


    The land of Saba was rich in gold and precious stones, frankincense and sugar (called 'sweet cane' in Jeremiah 6:20). The people were great traders, and apart from their connections with Solomon, the Bible records that Tyre, for example, was supplied by 'the traders of Sheba and Ramah' with spices, precious stones and gold (Ezekiel 27:22). Joel refers to the people of Sheba as slave traders (Joel 3:8) and Job knew them as cattle raiders and brigands (Job 1 :15).


    Joel refers to the people of Sheba as slave traders (Joel 3:8)

    PHOTO: Joel refers to the people of Sheba as slave traders (Joel 3:8)
    Picture posted by Doc Elly on Wednesday, 3 October 2012 at 10:11 AM
    https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUao51LkV5im-6hYtnwbeOHTxdUzDfCLQt4_MWP5lEpG029m56KBbfi0ui0xiaoa6FVbEz2pqQx5Aa0Wy8eII2R_BRkpGwek6m1XK2QMpj6AFPt39t4Myt-uAuQnifUNMLXxrjQuObUk/s1600/Slave_Auction.jpg
    https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCb1ppSC5fiqEDobw4ocZUvWQ3QJoLSR7fBxJbobtUmNFqMFtQ0EBiaaibB1SWw7x_9v2ZktYxCHSEZOo0UVNwKLZ00qL3CDhBVb4QLM2Jvgf5nmLSIZRIRXAGgRFmd9RorLx9kWzdv5M/s1600/Slave_Auction.jpg
    http://perfumenw.blogspot.sg/2012/10/the-american-auction.html


    The excuse for her visit, of course, would be her desire to see the famous king. Part of her motive was curiosity about Solomon, who enjoyed a reputation for being a shrewd judge of character and a learned scholar as well. This is part of the truth. But she was certainly interested in the possibility of trade with Solomon's thriving kingdom.


    The excuse for her visit, of course, would be her desire to see the famous king.
    PHOTO: The excuse for her visit, of course, would be her desire to see the famous king. Part of her motive was curiosity about Solomon, who enjoyed a reputation for being a shrewd judge of character and a learned scholar as well. This is part of the truth. But she was certainly interested in the possibility of trade with Solomon's thriving kingdom.
    Artwork by Constantin Razoumov, La charmeuse orientale, Made of Oil on canvas
    Posted by the-skyrock-team on Wednesday, 24 June 2015 at 6:49 PM
    https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVYJRVsRCaLuDZvj9zmex0q7KFLcvLk_Vsv9cOF_mJXPVd9IgY_7cJLJ2ivo1Acm6mrPFBx36Ngj4Hp8QqSatO627ME4Xsp1Ul87Big7FEAFvK6FkLLwrTvLgKJjTauW_TqOjGz7u8z0/s1600/wir.skyrock.net.jpg
    http://wir.skyrock.net/wir/v1/resize/?c=isi&im=%2F8321%2F63368321%2Fpics%2F3253738932_2_3_IEujLTdp.jpg&w=600
    http://sable.skyrock.com/tags/gbi9gM8vcJM-Danse_49.html


    The visit seems to have included a diplomatic ceremony. Sumptuous gifts were exchanged - the Bible mentions gold, spices, precious stones and almug wood, which was probably sandlewood or pine. The Bible says this wood was made into supporting beams, (possibly for Solomon's palace), lyres and harps (remember that Solomon's father David had been a gifted musician).


    The visit seems to have included a diplomatic ceremony.
    PHOTO: The visit seems to have included a diplomatic ceremony. Sumptuous gifts were exchanged - the Bible mentions gold, spices, precious stones and almug wood, which was probably sandlewood or pine. The Bible says this wood was made into supporting beams, (possibly for Solomon's palace), lyres and harps (remember that Solomon's father David had been a gifted musician).
    Painting by Giovanni De Min 1789–1859
    Picture from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Solomon and The Queen of Sheba
    https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9J_yB_tfer-TYrbUEgrIUQdsTBBASYm8UiS6k4qwb_alFE0aoGU5vgxxEeSCryil8NC6Qa8fHsC6QXpHuW9O4oiqqmZc4xWg0d3TOIL4ew_xGFSTb02kgXPZxPxhgdct88AHVopriGs/s1600/Sheba_demin.jpg
    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Sheba_demin.jpg
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_of_Sheba


    During the visit she is said to have asked Solomon 'hard questions'. These were probably riddles or tests of practical sagacity, to see just how quick his mind was. He apparently answered to her satisfaction. She also tested his practical wisdom by setting him a series of 'what-if' dilemmas, to gauge his administrative skills. She was not only satisfied with his responses, but impressed.


    During the visit she is said to have asked Solomon 'hard questions'.

    PHOTO:  During the visit she is said to have asked Solomon 'hard questions'. These were probably riddles or tests of practical sagacity, to see just how quick his mind was. He apparently answered to her satisfaction. She was not only satisfied with his responses, but impressed.
    Posted by Sable, the-skyrock-team on Thursday, 12 May 2016 at 4:36 AM
    https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSdpHPs3u1BDYvvyeSKdQGm3gXIngt93UvxxOm0wfdjmSxZtx3SEqy1eNmGSAcZGmVqSv-iEfqLPBe11g95-EvhkO4CHoug1Sd_qYLLx20us14EEw8YQAZ6raAx1PhWN5bW8MtAGz6hU/s1600/wir.skyrock.net%252813%2529.jpg

    Solomon was lavish in his hospitality. He was clearly trying to impress this exotic queen.


    Solomon was lavish in his hospitality.

    PHOTO: Solomon was lavish in his hospitality. He was clearly trying to impress this exotic queen.
    Picture posted by Sable, the-skyrock-team on Wednesday, 16 December 2015 at 8:19 PM
    https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3EhmOV_PcDyDnrUlvi6QZjbUmW25F9o7fPZKE1MygGcudYq8-DpLXzGLcal1WTCgteha-qCdHJ6hgIDlZThHbQBvA-FyERRcHZrqVYYEGSDDXJY7mW-BK0w9s2W2eF26Mrv4Ws1Bwfw/s1600/wir.skyrock.net%25287%2529.jpg


    Where was Sheba?
    The exact location of Sheba is unknown, but scholars identify it with Saba, the home of the Sabeans, who occupied the southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula and the territory of eastern Ethiopia. It is not certain whether Sheba refers to the kingdom in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula or to some of its outposts in the northern part of Arabia. The Sabaean kingdom flourished from about 1,000-450 BC.


    The exact location of Sheba is unknown
    PHOTO: The exact location of Sheba is unknown, but scholars identify it with Saba, the home of the Sabeans, who occupied the southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula and the territory of eastern Ethiopia.
    Picture posted by Bible Study Resource for Women in the Bible
    https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-twdX15vHdai1tLrhwXlObBOuOwu_z5vVpS00AlxG6l8FngD0ycONWmm-E4rm4bjYyaq1V9S0jrrl6fUROTIEX3oCw5sa_24s2CvwMQo7e49mGADFKjShIaN4UUbyk19hbXXeslcKHSc/s1600/Sheba_map.JPG
    http://www.womeninthebible.net/Sheba_map.JPG
    http://www.womeninthebible.net/queen_sheba.htm


    Note: Not much is known about the history of her people, but it seems that the people of Sheba were divided into two quite separate classes: plebians and nobles. Only the nobles had any say in government. The people were ruled by a form of oligarchy (a small group of people having control of a country or organization) from which a king or queen was chosen to reign in rotation.


    Not much is known about the history of Sheba.
    PHOTO: Not much is known about the history of Sheba. The people were ruled by a form of oligarchy (a small group of people having control of a country or organization) from which a king or queen was chosen to reign in rotation.
    Picture posted by Sable, the-skyrock-team on Tuesday, 28 April 2015 at 4:25 PM
    https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdJt30Gfd_8kYuvASyU-pkMHHIuy0-AybRxRDMCU1PHBkrZl6O5rI-ZNHbOsAwpPB19eIaUcZUllqgoonds3RIFArCrfAK3sIa1BpNAEhP67vyBYkpkrlZnsby7DJEH0bNAWu1IxaiS0/s1600/3249931564_2_3_4MGEXcpE.jpg
    http://i.skyrock.net/8321/63368321/pics/3249931564_2_3_4MGEXcpE.jpg
    http://sable.skyrock.com/tags/gbi9gM8vcJM-Danse_47.html


    The Queen of Sheba also tested Solomon's practical wisdom by setting him a series of 'what-if' dilemmas, to gauge his administrative skills.

    PHOTO: The Queen of Sheba also tested Solomon's practical wisdom by setting him a series of 'what-if' dilemmas, to gauge his administrative skills. She was not only satisfied with his responses, but impressed.
    Posted by Sable, the-skyrock-team on Friday, 20 August 2010 at 3:57 AM
    Source: L'Express (2010)
    https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBP2vBxlg5KlWOo__oKxJvYoYq8eg7FGGH0rsSYQA-FTPqDkyvtHs6hC5ku_gqwvNh1Tcczp-KthTEE6_QyNOhqCgfQ5EZS0ry6NlJIBqQIbzCDnya5_JfdSK41oFaV2YEfEQzuoLcGQ/s1600/wir.skyrock.net.gif

    By Bible Study Resource for Women in the Bible: The Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon - Women of the Old Testament



    Reference
    [1] Bible Study Resource for Women in the Bible: The Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon - Women of the Old Testament, http://www.womeninthebible.net/queen_sheba.htm.

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