“When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. She arrived 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 him to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba realized how 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 their robes, 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 your great wisdom! It is 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 as king to rule for him. Because God loves Israel and desires this kingdom to last forever, he has made you king over them 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 before had there been spices as fine as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. (In addition, the crews of Hiram and Solomon brought gold from Ophir, and they also brought red sandalwood and precious jewels. The king used the sandalwood to make steps for the Temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and to construct lyres and harps for the musicians. Never before had such beautiful things been seen in Judah.) King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba whatever she asked for—gifts of greater value than the gifts she had given him. Then she and all her attendants returned to their own land.”
2 Chronicles 9:1-12 NLT
Many think that the greatest gift one could receive is a gift in and of itself. However, there is a subset of thinkers who wish for the ability to to give gifts instead. Ironically to our storytelling sensibilities, the idea that you can’t ask the Genie for more wishes isn’t exactly true with God. Given that he should never be perceived as a genie at beck and call, this may be hard for people to understand, but he actually does wish to grant us this category of gift. He wishes to give us gifts and blessings that are not one-dimensional but in fact that modular components with legacy in mind. He wants his blessings in our lives to have a viral nature, not just for us, but for others. Solomon asked for wisdom, to do right by ruling Gods people. Though perhaps not the perfect thing to ask for, it was a good ask. This passage shows the effect of God honoring it. The effect of such a blessing is a bounty that affects everyone positively. It is so clearly bizarre to the common eye that the queen from a neighboring kingdom had to see it to believe it. She felt compelled to make political alliances to be partnered with it. But perhaps most telling is that she felt prompted to honor God because of it. This is the nature of a true gift from God.
God’s Desire: God desires to give gifts that multiply and bless others, not just the receiver.
Solomon’s Request: Solomon asked for wisdom to rule God’s people, a request that God honored.
Impact of God’s Blessing: God’s blessing resulted in prosperity and influenced others to seek God.
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