MAKEDA,
QUEEN OF SHEBA (The symbol of Beauty) (960 B.C.)
The
Country of Sheba
The country Sheba or Saba, whose name
means Host of Heaven and peace, was Abyssinia. Located in southwest
Arabia on the eastern tip of the Red Sea, Sheba occupied 483,000
square miles of mountains, valley and deserts in the area of present
day Yemen. Some historians claim that Ethiopia, on the western end of
the Red Sea, was also part of Sheba's territory.
The
Queen of Sheba
Legends of the Queen of Sheba are
common throughout Arabia, Persia, Ethiopia and Israel. In Arabian
tradition, Balkis ruled with the heart of a woman but the head and
hands of a man.
According to Ethiopian legend, she was
born in 1020 B.C. in Ophir, and educated in Ethiopia. Her mother was
Queen Ismenie; her father, chief minister to Za Sebado, succeeded him
as King. One story describes that as a child Sheba (called Makeda)
was to be sacrificed to a serpent god, but was rescued by the
stranger 'Angaboo. Later, her pet jackal bit her badly on one foot
and leg, leaving lasting scars and deformity. When her father died in
1005 B.C., Sheba became Queen at the age of fifteen. Contradictory
legends refer to her as ruling for forty years, and reigning as a
virgin queen for six years. In most accounts, she never married.
Sheba was known to be beautiful
(despite her ankle and leg), intelligent, understanding, resourceful,
and adventurous. A gracious queen, she had a melodious voice and was
an eloquent speaker. Excelling in public relations and international
diplomacy, she was a also competent ruler. The historian Josephus
said of her, "she was inquisitive into philosophy and on that
and on other accounts also was to be admired."
During his reign, King Solomon of
Israel decided to build a magnificent temple. To announce this
endeavor, the king sent forth messengers to various foreign countries
to invite merchants from abroad to come to Jerusalem with their
caravans so that they might engage in trade there. At this time,
Ethiopia was second only to Egypt in power and fame. Hence, King
Solomon was enthralled by Ethiopia's beautiful people, rich history,
deep spiritual tradition and wealth. He was especially interested in
engaging in commerce with one of Queen Makeda's subjects, an
important merchant by the name of Tamrin. Solomon sent for Tamrin who
"packed up stores of valuables including ebony, sapphires and
red gold, which he took to Jerusalem to sell to the king." It
turns out that Tamrin's visit was momentous. Although accustomed to
the grandeur and luxury of Egypt and Ethiopia, Tamrin was still
impressed by King Solomon and his young nation. During a prolonged
stay in Israel, Tamrin observed the magnificent buildings and was
intrigued by the Jewish people and their culture. But above all else,
he was deeply moved by Solomon's wisdom and compassion for his
subjects. Upon returning to his country, Tamrin poured forth
elaborate details about his trip to Queen Makeda. She was so
impressed by the exciting story that the great queen decided to visit
King Solomon herself.To understand the significance of state visits
in antiquity in contrast to those of today, we must completely remove
ourselves from the present place and time. In ancient times, royal
visits were very significant ceremonial affairs. The visiting regent
was expected to favor the host with elaborate gifts and the state
visit might well last for weeks or even months. Even by ancient
standards, however, Queen Makeda's visit to King Solomon was
extraordinary. And when the Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of
Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with
hard questions. And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train,
with camels that bear spices and very much gold, and precious stones.
And when she was come to Solomon she communed with him of all that
was in her heart. She gave the king 120 talents of gold, and of
spices very great store and precious stones; there came no more such
abundance of spices as these which the Queen of Sheba gave to King
Solomon.
We should pause to consider the
staggering sight of this beautiful Black woman and her vast array of
resplendent attendants travelling over the Sahara desert into Israel
with more than 797 camels plus donkeys and mules too numerous to
count. The value of the gold alone, which she gave to King Solomon,
would be $3,690,000 today and was of much greater worth in antiquity.
King Solomon, and undoubtedly the Jewish people, were flabbergasted
by this great woman and her people. He took great pains to
accommodate her every need. A special apartment was built for her
lodging while she remained in his country. She was also provided with
the best of food and eleven changes of garments daily. As so many
African leaders before her, this young maiden, though impressed with
the beauty of Solomon's temple and his thriving domain, had come to
Israel seeking wisdom and the truth about the God of the Jewish
people.
