The Queen of Sheba (10:1–13)

Queen of Sheba (10:1). The location of Sheba is likely to be in the vicinity of Yemen on the western edge of Arabia. Several first millennium kingdoms are known to have existed in that region, as recorded in eighth-century Assyrian texts, and there can be little doubt that there were tribal kingdoms in the region during the days of Solomon.183

Stone Lady of Sheba with name inscribed in Sabean

Z. Radovan/www.BibleLandPictures.com

Camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones (10:2). Domesticated camels appeared in the Levant at least by the late second millennium B.C. although they were utilized much earlier in the Arabian Peninsula. They were incorporated into the Assyrian army in the eighth century B.C. as evidenced in palace reliefs, but the archaeological record for earlier periods is scarce.184 Trade in spice, gold, and precious stones is well documented from the third millennium B.C. through the Arab conquest in the seventh century A.D. These products, derived from Arabia and east Africa, are depicted in the Egyptian reliefs at the Hatshepsut temple in upper Egypt along with wild animals, birds, and other goods known only from Africa and Arabia.185

When the queen of Sheba saw … the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers (10:4–5). A visual commentary on this description of Solomon’s wealth is found in the banquet scenes depicted in Assyrian reliefs of the eighth and seventh centuries as well as in a Phoenician bronze bowl found in Cyprus.186 An earlier example of festivities before the king, replete with varieties of animals, food, and gifts, is found in the Royal Standard of Ur, a third millennium ornate box from ancient Sumer.187 The variety of officials in attendance and the extent of his temple offerings are reflective of a large kingdom or even an empire. The diplomatic nature of the visit is further highlighted by Solomon’s overwhelming hospitality as banquets and meals were an integral part of any personal or public relationship.

Banquet scene from Royal Standard of Ur

Natalie Burdick, courtesy of the British Museum

To maintain justice and righteousness (10:9). As the agent of the deity, the ancient Near Eastern monarch was expected to maintain order, prosperity, and justice in his kingdom and to expand his domain whenever possible. In Egypt the king regulated maʿat or truth and justice, and in Mesopotamia the monarch implemented throughout his land the just decrees of his patron god.188 David and Solomon performed the same function on behalf of Yahweh, as recorded in this verse and many of the psalms.189

Almugwood (10:11). Unlike the almugwood imported from Lebanon (2 Chron. 9:10–11), the almugwood of this verse was imported from the land of Ophir. This large timber was most likely a sandalwood or “grecian juniper” that originated in Ceylon or India.190 Biblical and ancient Near Easter sources indicate that it was used in the construction of large buildings and musical instruments alike.

Harps and lyres (10:12). These handheld musical instruments are recorded in many daily life settings such as banquets, funerals, processions, and domestic contexts.191 Numerous depictions on stamped seals, pottery vessels, plaques, and wall reliefs show a basic common design of these musical instruments.