2 Chronicles 9:1-12
The Queen of Sheba’s Praise of Solomon (1 Kings 10:1–13)
1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test Solomon with hard questions, having a very great retinue, camels that bore spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart. 2 So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for Solomon that he could not explain it to her. 3 And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 4 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers and their apparel, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her.
5 Then she said to the king: “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. 6 However I did not believe their words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told me. You exceed the fame of which I heard. 7 Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! 8 Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on His throne to be king for the LORD your God! Because your God has loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness.”
9 And she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great abundance, and precious stones; there never were any spices such as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
10 Also, the servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, brought algum wood and precious stones. 11 And the king made walkways of the algum wood for the house of the LORD and for the king’s house, also harps and stringed instruments for singers; and there were none such as these seen before in the land of Judah.
12 Now King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all she desired, whatever she asked, much more than she had brought to the king. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.
Solomon demonstrated how hard questions are answered by godly wisdom, wisdom given by God to him to answer the Queen of Sheba who prepared to find out how much he knew or to prove otherwise. The LORD God who gave him the wisdom and understanding to rule God’s people still gives wise understanding to we who are in Christ through His Spirit who lives in us (1 Corinthians 2:10, 12-13, 16) and speaks through us to provide His answers of truth according to the scriptures. Solomon showed the wisdom given him along with the great wealth which God had given as the leader of Israel to demonstrate His grace because Solomon had not asked for any wealth, just the wisdom and understanding of God and His word to teach and lead his flock. This is the pattern for Christian leaders today, to speak from the imparted understanding and wisdom in Christ by His Spirit to exposit the bible and apply it to life through (Colossians 1:28-29) instruction and exhortation. It also applies to all who are in Christ who are given such spiritual knowledge and wisdom to build each other (Ephesians 4:11-12, 13, 15-16) up in Christ as His people and the temple of His worship and praise. Just as king Solomon gave instruction and gifts to the Queen of Sheba, we are to teach and give generously to meet the urgent needs (Colossians 1:9-10, Titus 3:8, 14) of our brethren and to those around us to demonstrate His wisdom and grace. Remember that God-given wisdom can answer hard questions as He uses us to speak to others to know our Savior and deepen that knowledge into wisdom to live by. He does teach us absolute truths and keeps us humble with the things left unrevealed for the present time. May we speak with authority in humility of the things we have learned (2 Timothy 1:13-14, 3:14, Titus 1:9) and been convinced of.
No comments:
Post a Comment