*Sacred Scripture* Solomon and the Queen of Sheba – Vlegel
July 27
The Queen of Sheba comes before King Solomon after hearing of his great wisdom and special relationship with God. She marvels at him and presents gifts of gold and spices to him. Artwork by Vlegel.
1 Kgs 10:1-13
Solomon’s Listening Heart: The Queen of Sheba.*
1a The queen of Sheba,* having heard a report of Solomon’s fame, came to test him with subtle questions.
2She arrived in Jerusalem with a very numerous retinue, and with camels bearing spices, a large amount of gold, and precious stones. She came to Solomon and spoke to him about everything that she had on her mind.
3King Solomon explained everything she asked about, and there was nothing so obscure that the king could not explain it to her.
4When the queen of Sheba witnessed Solomon’s great wisdom, the house he had built,
5the food at his table, the seating of his ministers, the attendance and dress of his waiters, his servers, and the burnt offerings he offered in the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.
6“The report I heard in my country about your deeds and your wisdom is true,” she told the king.
7“I did not believe the report until I came and saw with my own eyes that not even the half had been told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report I heard.
8Happy are your servants, happy these ministers of yours, who stand before you always and listen to your wisdom.
9Blessed be the LORD, your God, who has been pleased to place you on the throne of Israel. In his enduring love for Israel, the LORD has made you king to carry out judgment and justice.”
10Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty gold talents, a very large quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again did anyone bring such an abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
11Hiram’s fleet, which used to bring gold from Ophir, also brought from there a very large quantity of almug* wood and precious stones.
12With this wood the king made supports for the house of the LORD and for the house of the king, and harps and lyres for the singers. Never again was any such almug wood brought or seen to the present day.
13King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba everything she desired and asked for, besides what King Solomon gave her from Solomon’s royal bounty. Then she returned with her servants to her own country.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1kings/10
Saying the holy name of Jesus is the simplest way of praying always.
1-A prayer from Raphael the Archangel:
*While you are on this earth, you must praise the Lord God and give him thanks.
2-A prayer from Tobit and Tobias:
*They began to sing hymns of praise, giving thanks for all the mighty deeds God had done while his angel Raphael had been with them.
3-A simple Jesus prayer:
*Lord, Lord, Jesus Christ…Son of God…have mercy on me…Be kind to others…Work Hard…Be joyful.
4-Another prayer:
*When all that God asks of us is to be quiet and keep ourselves at peace-attentive to the secret work He is beginning in our souls-Be Empty and See That I Am God.
I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
Jn 10:16