The Queen of Sheba and King Shlomo: A Legendary Encounter of Faith and Wisdom

From Arabia to Jerusalem

The Queen of Sheba lived during the era of the First Temple and ruled over a powerful kingdom in the southwestern Arabian Peninsula in modern-day Yemen. Her land was famous for its international trade in spices, gold, and precious stones.

The Tanach recounts her legendary visit to Jerusalem in two parallel narratives, one in Melachim I (10:1–13) and the other in Divrei HaYamim II (9:1–12). Both narratives describe a momentous meeting between two royal figures, one seeking wisdom, the other embodying it.

A Test of Divine Wisdom

Having heard stories of King Shlomo’s unmatched wisdom, the Queen of Sheba set out on a mission to determine whether his brilliance was merely human or a gift from God. According to the verses, she arrived in Jerusalem with a grand entourage: a heavily armed caravan of soldiers, servants, and camels loaded with spices, immense quantities of gold, and rare gems.

The queen challenged Shlomo with difficult riddles and profound questions. She "spoke to him of all that was on her heart," not only public inquiries but also deeply personal matters. To her astonishment, Shlomo answered everything. "There was nothing hidden from the king that he did not tell her."

Awe, Praise, and Prophecy

The Queen of Sheba was so overwhelmed by Shlomo’s wisdom, palace, and governance that she was left breathless: “there was no more spirit in her.” She admitted, “It was a true report that I heard in my land... but I did not believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. And behold, the half was not told to me.”

Moved by her experience, she blessed Shlomo and praised God:
"Blessed be the Lord your God, who delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel! Because of God’s eternal love for Israel, He made you king to do justice and righteousness."

Midrashic sources expound on her visit. Shemot Rabbah laments that although others, like Yitro and Rachav, came closer to God upon witnessing miracles, the Queen of Sheba, even after witnessing the grandeur of Shlomo’s reign, did not praise God with full recognition. Meanwhile, Kohelet Rabbah links her with the verse “the treasure of kings and provinces,” portraying her as a sovereign who debated Shlomo in wisdom but was ultimately unable to best him.

A Legacy of Wonder and Wisdom

The Queen of Sheba’s journey was more than a royal spectacle. It was a moment of spiritual inquiry, intellectual rigor, and human humility. Her encounter with Shlomo reminds us that even across borders and beliefs, the pursuit of truth can lead to reverence and praise for God’s wisdom.