Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading
1 Kings 9:24–10:13

But Pharaoh’s daughter went up from the city of David to her own house that Solomon had built for her; then he built the Millo. Three times a year Solomon used to offer up burnt offerings and sacrifices of well-being on the altar that he built for the Lord, offering incense before the Lord. So he completed the house. King Solomon built a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, which is near Eloth on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom. Hiram sent his servants with the fleet, sailors who were familiar with the sea, together with the servants of Solomon. They went to Ophir, and imported from there four hundred twenty talents of gold, which they delivered to King Solomon.

When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, (fame due to the name of the Lord), she came to test him with hard questions. She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices, and very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. When the queen of Sheba had observed all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his valets, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her. So she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your accomplishments and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. Not even half had been told me; your wisdom and prosperity far surpass the report that I had heard. Happy are your wives! Happy are these your servants, who continually attend you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king to execute justice and righteousness.” Then she gave the king one hundred twenty talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones; never again did spices come in such quantity as that which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. Moreover, the fleet of Hiram, which carried gold from Ophir, brought from Ophir a great quantity of almug wood and precious stones. From the almug wood the king made supports for the house of the Lord, and for the king’s house, lyres also and harps for the singers; no such almug wood has come or been seen to this day. Meanwhile King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba every desire that she expressed, as well as what he gave her out of Solomon’s royal bounty. Then she returned to her own land, with her servants. (NRSV)

Reflection
Earlier in 1 Kings, Solomon ascends to the role of King of Israel. God regarded King David, Solomon’s dad, as God’s faithful servant. So God came to Solomon in a dream and promised to help him. Solomon demonstrated great humility, asking only for wisdom to lead. God granted Solomon extraordinary wisdom. God also rewarded Solomon with incomparable wealth.

King Solomon built an opulent temple for the Lord, his own palace, and a palace for his Egyptian wife. The Queen of Sheba heard about Solomon and came to see these things for herself. They talked, and she challenged Solomon with complicated questions and observed his amazing knowledge. She saw his spectacular palace and his impressive court, his incredible wealth, and the beautiful temple he’d built for the Lord. So impressed was the queen that she even praised the God of Israel. She gave Solomon gold and other valuables. The Queen of Sheba was mostly impressed with Solomon’s wisdom, which enabled such a great kingdom — what a generous reward God gave Solomon for his humility and faith.

We should all pray for humility and wisdom to understand God’s guidance for us. Also, as God blesses us with material possessions, we must not lose focus of, or become distracted from, our faithfulness to God. This did happen as Solomon grew older. As a result, the Lord took a major part of the kingdom away from Solomon’s son, leaving him a smaller realm, which included Jerusalem. This is because God declared Jerusalem as his own. The allowance was not for Solomon’s sake but for the sake of Solomon’s dad, King David.

Prayer
Lord God, may we be humbly faithful to you. Help us to gratefully use our gifts to assist others and to honor you, always recognizing that all we possess flows from your love and from your grace. Amen.

Written by Ken Gaines, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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