In brief
The Queen of Sheba is a foreign ruler who hears of Solomon's fame, to the glory of the LORD. She travels all the way to Jerusalem with a rich caravan to test him with riddles. She sees his wisdom, his house and his service, and admits that not even half had been told her. She blesses the LORD, gives gold, spices and precious stones, then returns to her own land. Her account is told in 1 Kings 10 and 2 Chronicles 9.
What does the name The Queen of Sheba mean?
The text does not give her personal name: the Bible speaks only of the queen of Sheba, after the name of her country. Sheba is generally linked to a people of southern Arabia, but the Bible says nothing more. No explanation of the name is given in these passages.
The story of The Queen of Sheba
A fame that reaches her
1 Kings 10:1-2The queen of Sheba hears of Solomon's fame, to the glory of the LORD. She comes to test him with riddles. She arrives in Jerusalem with a very great retinue, camels bearing spices, a great deal of gold and precious stones, and she tells Solomon all that is on her heart.
Solomon answers all her questions
1 Kings 10:3-5Solomon answers all her questions: there is nothing the king cannot explain to her. She sees his wisdom, the house he has built, the food on his table, the quarters of his servants and the burnt offerings he makes at the house of the LORD. It takes her breath away.
Her testimony and her blessing
1 Kings 10:6-9She acknowledges that what she heard in her own land was true: not even half had been told her. She calls Solomon's servants blessed, then blesses the LORD your God, who has set Solomon on the throne of Israel because he loves Israel.
Her gifts and her return
2 Chronicles 9:9-12She gives the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, a very great quantity of spices and precious stones. Solomon gives her everything she desires and asks for, more than she had brought him. Then she turns and goes back to her own land with her servants, having seen the king's wisdom and received all she wished.
What The Queen of Sheba teaches us
- Seeking the truth with your own eyes is better than settling for what you hear.
- True wisdom leads us to acknowledge and bless the LORD.
- No journey, no effort is too great when you are seeking God.
- An open heart receives more than it hoped for.
Key verses
She hears of Solomon's fame, to the glory of the LORD, and comes to test him with riddles. This verse shows what motivates her long journey.
She says she did not believe the reports until she came and saw with her own eyes. She admits that reality surpasses rumor.
Solomon gives her everything she desires and asks for, more than she had brought the king. God responds generously to the one who has sought him sincerely.
Frequently asked questions
Who was the Queen of Sheba in the Bible?
She is a foreign ruler who comes to Jerusalem to test King Solomon's wisdom with riddles. She leaves amazed after offering him gold, spices and precious stones (1 Kings 10:1-13). Her personal name is not given.
What does the name Sheba mean?
The Bible gives this queen no personal name and does not explain the name of her country. Sheba is generally linked to a people of southern Arabia, but caution is needed. The text puts its emphasis on the wisdom she comes to seek.
Where can I find the story of the Queen of Sheba in the Bible?
Her story is told twice: in 1 Kings 10:1-13 and in 2 Chronicles 9:1-12. Both accounts describe the same journey, with a few details unique to each, notably about the gifts exchanged with King Solomon.