Greater than Solomon
Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 7-9; Psalm 12
When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions…
2 Chronicles 9:1
The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
Matthew 12:42
Our Scripture reading today chronicles (pun intended) the rise of Solomon’s kingdom. The description, while hinting at the seeds that would one day lead to its downfall, is breathtaking. I use that word intentionally, because that’s exactly how the queen of Sheba reacted. Chapter nine, verse four tells us that after seeing Solomon’s kingdom for herself, “there was no more breath in her.”
The greatness of Solomon’s kingdom was unsurpassed. Maybe I’m overstating it, but among earthly rulers, Solomon is the GOAT.
But the queen of Sheba’s visit isn’t just a historical footnote — it’s a lesson. Her response to Solomon sets a standard for how people of every age ought to respond when someone like that appears. If a man with that kind of wisdom and blessing shows up, we’d better sit up and listen. To ignore him says more about us than it does about him.
That’s exactly the point Jesus makes in Matthew’s Gospel. Solomon was the GOAT — at least, until Jesus appeared. The queen of Sheba traveled far to hear the wisdom of a great man of God. But the religious leaders of Jesus’ day? They wouldn’t even cross the street to hear the wisdom of the Son of God.
When Jesus appeared, something greater than Solomon was there.
This theme echoes throughout the New Testament — that Jesus is greater. Greater than what, you ask? Greater than everything and everyone who came before or after Him. The book of Hebrews drives this home: Jesus is greater than the angels, greater than Moses, greater than Joshua. He surpasses every being, earthly or heavenly.
The voice of God the Father still speaks, just as clearly now as it did then:
“This is My Son. Hear Him.”
The queen of Sheba listened to Solomon and was left breathless. How much more should we stand in awe — and listen — when the Son of God speaks?
