The journey from Central Africa to the Middle East felt like forever. After so many weeks, everything smelled and tasted of camel. Even riding in the royal coach brought the growth of calluses in hard-to-describe places. Travel at the speed of camel left plenty to be desired, but the stories of the magnificent king of Israel and the splendor of his kingdom had reached the queen’s ears. Solomon possessed great wealth and wisdom, and more intriguingly, tales told of his uncommon connection with his God stirred her heart.

Solomon was the wisest and wealthiest king in the history of Israel. Even today, three thousand years later, you’ll read someone referred to as having “wisdom like Solomon.” His reputation covered the ancient world. If you recall the story in 1 Kings 3, Solomon asked the Lord not for power or wealth or longevity, but for wisdom and discernment as he led the people as their new king. This request pleased the Lord and so God granted Solomon all of the above, in abundance. (Note to self: when leading, consider asking God for wisdom and understanding, rather than a robust budget or a splashier platform. Just a thought.)

Solomon’s fame spread far and wide. Crowds flocked from Israel and the surrounding nations to hear his wisdom and witness the growing splendor of his kingdom. Carried by traders and itinerants, these stories spread to the heart of Africa, all the way to the court of the Queen of Sheba. A woman of abundant wealth and power, her neighboring territories held no special interest to her. Solomon, a wise king, wealthy beyond comprehension and a man with a special connection to God—now that was too much to ignore. Meeting Solomon consumed her thoughts. The planning began and the camels were mustered. She set out on this long and arduous journey, carrying gifts of tremendous value, surrounded by an army—all in order to see if the stories of the legendary king were true.

The Queen came not only to see, but also to question Solomon. I wonder what she planned to ask? Her questions are not recorded, but I’d imagine that she asked questions people have always struggled with, like “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Or, “How can I know God the way you do?” But also questions only another wise ruler could answer, possibly, “As a leader, who can I trust?”

Solomon satisfied the Queen with his answers. He explained everything. Solomon’s wisdom, wealth, charisma and devotion to the Lord left her breathless. She got what she hoped for and so much more, realizing a depth in Solomon’s insights she never heard from her royal advisors. After an extensive visit, she reluctantly left for home. The two powerful leaders exchanged gifts of phenomenal value, sealing their friendship.

What does a leader make of this story? The Queen of Sheba possessed power, riches, skills and wisdom of her own. Her aptitude for leading was apparent as a female ruler in a world of power-hungry men. Just like today, the strong preyed on the weak. The Queen was certainly not weak, nor was she easy prey.

Why did she go meet Solomon? The Queen possessed a trait integral to leadership. The Queen was curious. She heard the stories of Solomon. No doubt, she sent trusted emissaries ahead of her to check out the facts. Their reports fueled her daydreams about this distant king and his God. Curiosity, and perhaps a bit of desperation, led her to Solomon. No one else could answer her difficult questions to her satisfaction. Perhaps she trusted no one close to her. Maybe, just maybe, Solomon could speak to her deep issues and maybe, just maybe, she could gain an understanding of this God who so blessed Israel.

Curiosity is an invaluable trait in a leader. Daydream, doodle, gaze out the window, and let your mind run. Make the effort to learn. Read books, take classes, visit foreign lands and always ask lots of questions. An active mind, an inquisitive bent, a wonder of what’s around the corner helps you develop as a leader. You start to comprehend the world with more wisdom, to understand yourself with more clarity, and to appreciate God with more depth. Curiosity yields healthy discovery. Most wonderfully, as you chase your curiosity, from time to time you’ll uncover something fresh and find yourself breathless.

1 Kings 10 & 2 Chronicles 9 in week twenty-seven of reading the Bible cover to cover

For more thoughts like this see my book Seers, Sayers, Schemers & Saints

Photo by Joe McDaniel