December 13, 2018 / 5 Tevet 5779

The queen of Sheba heard of Shlomo‘s fame, and came toYerushalayim to test Shlomo with hard questions, accompanied by a very large retinue, including camels bearing spices, a great quantity of gold, and precious stones. When she came to Shlomo, she spoke to him of all that she had on her mind
II Chronicles 9:1 (The Israel Bible™)

וּמַלְכַּת־שְׁבָא שָׁמְעָה אֶת־שֵׁמַע שְׁלֹמֹה וַתָּבוֹא לְנַסּוֹת אֶת־שְׁלֹמֹה בְחִידוֹתבִּירוּשָׁלַ ִם בְּחַיִל כָּבֵד מְאֹד וּגְמַלִּים נֹשְׂאִים בְּשָׂמִים וְזָהָב לָרֹב וְאֶבֶן יְקָרָה וַתָּבוֹא אֶל־שְׁלֹמֹה וַתְּדַבֵּר עִמּוֹ אֵת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר הָיָה עִם־לְבָבָהּ
Hear the verse in Hebrew

u-mal-kat sh’-VA sha-m’-AH et SHAY-ma sh’-lo-MOH va-ta-VO l’-na-SOT et sh’-lo-MOH
v’-khee-DOT bee-ru-sha-LA-im b’-KHA-yil ka-VAYD m’-OD ug-ma-LEEM no-s’-EEM
b’-sa-MEEM v’-za-HAV la-ROV v’-E-ven y’-ka-RAH va-ta-VO el sh’-lo-MOH va-t’-da-BAYR i-MO AYT kol a-SHER ha-YAH im l’-va-VAH

Spreading God's Great Name

King Shlomo’s (Solomon's) reign can be described as the glory days of the Kingdom of Israel. Shlomo creates a kingdom that is characterized by peace and security, wealth and prosperity, wisdom and knowledge, justice and righteousness, spiritual devotion and international recognition. One of Shlomo’s goals in building the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Kingdom) is for the gentile nations of the world to also come to recognize the greatness and oneness of God. Perhaps this is why Shlomo made a point of making his kingdom so grand and establishing political connections and alliances. Indeed, in addition to his renowned reputation and vast impact, he succeeds in his mission to spread recognition of God, as demonstrated by the queen of Sheba’s visit. She is so impressed with Shlomo and his kingdom, yet her reaction to her visit is, “Blessed is Hashem your God, who favored you and set you on His throne as a king before Hashem”. The Nation of Israel continues to be charged with the same mission of spreading God’s great name and His Oneness throughout the entire world. Connect to this holy mission. Get more inspiration from The Israel Bible Daily Inspirations devotional.