When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, which brought honor to the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a large group of attendants and a great caravan of camels loaded with spices, large quantities of gold, and precious jewels. When she met with Solomon, she talked with him about everything she had on her mind. Solomon had answers for all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba realized how very wise Solomon was, and when she saw the palace he had built, she was overwhelmed. She was also amazed at the food on his tables, the organization of his officials and their splendid clothing, the cup-bearers, and the burnt offerings Solomon made at the Temple of the Lord. She exclaimed to the king, “Everything I heard in my country about your achievements and wisdom is true! I didn’t believe what was said until I arrived here and saw it with my own eyes. In fact, I had not heard the half of it! Your wisdom and prosperity are far beyond what I was told. How happy your people must be! What a privilege for your officials to stand here day after day, listening to your wisdom! Praise the Lord your God, who delights in you and has placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king so you can rule with justice and righteousness.” Then she gave the king a gift of 9,000 pounds of gold, great quantities of spices, and precious jewels. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. (In addition, Hiram’s ships brought gold from Ophir, and they also brought rich cargoes of red sandalwood and precious jewels. The king used the sandalwood to make railings for the Temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and to construct lyres and harps for the musicians. Never before or since has there been such a supply of sandalwood.) King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba whatever she asked for, besides all the customary gifts he had so generously given. Then she and all her attendants returned to their own land.
1 Kings 10:1-13

Dear God, I’m reading this story and trying to see beyond the surface of it. Is there a hidden story beneath the obvious one?

I started this series on Solomon so that I could see if I could trace his downfall as a good man into a mean and harsh king. Perhaps I should go ahead and refresh myself on his life and read the rest of 1 Kings because I’m wondering if a story like this one played into him becoming more arrogant and less submitted to you.

Regardless, Solomon had a lot of praise heaped upon him in this story. Frankly, that can happen to me as well. In my work of “doing good,” people often think more highly of me than they should. I get praise that is sometimes deserved, but often undeserved. But even with the deserved praise, do I deflect it for your glory and not mine? Do I allow myself to decrease and encourage your increase, or do I go along and satisfy my ego and insecurities with their praise?

Father, help me to always be mindful that you are the reason that I am anything and that my life is counting for anything. It starts with the mercy you show me and the forgiveness you give me. Then it flows from there to your provision as I submit myself to you. You are the reason I have any shot at living a life that is at peace. Your Holy Spirit is what brings love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, kindness, etc. into my life. You are my all in all. Help me to reflect that.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen