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Lessons from the Queen of Sheba

31 Days of Women from Scripture

Volume 2

Day 8

Full of Questions

Day Eight: Seeking Great Wisdom – The Queen of Sheba
1 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 9

Something I have noticed through the raising of our five daughters – there is one huge similarity between a two-year-old, a seven-year-old, and a nine-year-old. They ask a LOT of questions. They ask questions at every stage, but those three stages really seem to up the third degree. I don’t know if that is normal with all kids at those ages or if it’s just because our girls have my tendency-to-question-everything-blood in them.

While asking lots of questions can be slightly annoying for the one having to answer the questions – I find it fascinating that God encourages the asking of questions.

We see in several places how God appreciates intelligence:

• Abigail in 1 Samuel 25:3
• Proverbs 15:14
• Sergius Paulus in Acts 13:7

In 1 Kings 10:1-14 (and 2 Chron. 9:1-12) we have two almost identical accounts about a visit to King Solomon from the Queen of Sheba.

This woman not only had intelligence, she was confident about it. She was going to use it to judge Solomon’s character.

The Queen had heard reports of Solomon’s wisdom (1 Kin. 10:6) and she set out to find out the truth for herself. She didn’t just come to see his kingdom and meet this famous King. She came “to test him with difficult questions.”

You know, we all hear lots of things about lots of people. In the 24-7 news cycle that we are now used to – we learn too much about people sometimes, I think. We think we know these people, because we hear their names so often. But we really do not know them. We only know a façade.

The Queen of Sheba was determined to truly KNOW if Solomon was as wise as they said he was. She came prepared with gifts of spices, gold, and precious stones – all signs of her own successful reign.

So, this woman meets with Solomon – and she speaks with him “about all that was in her heart”. Do you know, that sounds just wonderful to me! To be able to discuss all the things you have questions about and the ideas that you have with someone who can answer those questions and speak intelligently on any subject – what fun!

One thing I often think about is that in heaven I will get to ask those questions – from THE One who can answer all things – but I’m not sure that I will care then. I am quite certain that praising the God of Heaven will be my focus, but it’s fun to think of the possibility!

Anyway, back to the Queen.

When she is finished asking all her questions, the Queen does not stop there in her evaluation of Solomon. She gets the FULL measure of him as King by looking at those who serve him.

She comes to the determination that Solomon exceeds all the reports that were brought to her. She comments, “how blessed are your men, how blessed are these your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom” (1 Kin. 10:8).

She is impressed with the house he has built for himself and the stairway that he had built for his use to access the house of the Lord left her “breathless” (2 Chron. 9:4).

Without doubt, Solomon was a true marvel of his time.

So, what can we take from this event in Solomon’s reign?

Do not be afraid to ask questions!

God’s people are to be a people of faith, absolutely (Heb. 11:6). But that faith is to be an intelligent faith. One that is built on understanding and knowledge (Col. 1:9; Eph. 5:17).

Jesus said in the sermon on the mount, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Mt. 7:7).

Many parables illustrate that finding the truth is based upon searching (Mt. 13:44, 45-46; Lk. 15:8-10).

In 1 John 4:1 we are told to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God”.

The Bereans are held up as more “noble-minded” than the people in Thessalonica because “they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

Asking questions is a GOOD thing! Do not be afraid to ask!

And above all, don’t hesitate to ASK God. The answers will be found in scripture, but when you are needing wisdom to see them, ASK God (James 1:5-8).

The Queen of Sheba was able to take the full measure of Solomon. All his wealth, his knowledge, his wisdom – she could see how great they were, but she also knew where they came from (1 Kin. 10:9; 1 Kin. 4:29).

She recognized the way his household ran that his wisdom was at work there too. The same can be said of us if we ask questions and apply wisdom in our households (Prov. 14:1; Prov. 31:25-26; 1 Sam. 25:32-33).

If you don’t know how to do something that is yours to do – ask someone who does. Seek out information. Grow in knowledge and wisdom. If you need to know something more about the man you are going to work for, your daughter is going to date, or you are going to marry – ask questions. 

It will help you to run your own life, your home, and it will help you to know the wise man from the foolish one (Prov. 10:14; 1 Cor. 1:26-31). Asking God for wisdom will bring understanding that you can live out every day.

Do not be afraid to be full of questions. Seek out the source of wisdom and ASK!

Enjoy!

Click here to get a complimentary lesson from our “31 Days of Women from Scripture Volume 2”, “Reach Out. Lessons from the Woman with an issue of blood”.

If you would like to follow the rest of the #write31days challenge series click here – 31 Days of Women from Scripture Volume 2

If you are interested in the first 31 Days of Women series – click here – 31 Days of Women from Scripture

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