The response of the Queen of Sheba to the reports that she had heard concerning Solomon was that she journeyed to Jerusalem, with a very great retinue.
The root of the word translated retinue
can mean strength, army, efficiency, or even wealth.
1 A standard Hebrew lexicon supplies the word train
for this verse, but the translation wealth
would fit better in context.
Being a queen of a realm that was considerable, she probably travelled with the accompanying officials and bodyguards that her rank would entitle her to. However, the verse before us does not speak of the persons accompanying her but the gifts that she brought to give to Solomon. If the translators are correct, the verse tells us that the queen travelled with the trappings of a very important person. Royalty in most cases does not travel alone.
It is clear, nonetheless, that in addition to whatever retinue of persons she brought with her, she did bring considerable gifts for Solomon. They are said to be spices and very much gold and precious stones.
The quality of these gifts may be one reason that scholars have for believing that the queen contemplated a trade agreement with Solomon. The wealth that is displayed seems to be more than would be required as a polite gift to one whose hospitality you were seeking. Nonetheless, it is true that bringing many and costly gifts performs the same service as coming with a large retinue; it displays that you are an important person not to be taken lightly.
As tempting as the idea of a trade agreement is, there are signs in the text that might suggest another, more personal, motive behind her visit. The text says that she told Solomon all that was on her mind,
and this fits better with the idea of personal concerns of perhaps a spiritual nature than it does if these are just trick questions to see if he is wise enough to answer a riddle concocted to test his wisdom. Moreover, the latter part of the chapter that concerns Solomon’s trade in association with Hiram has nothing to say about any third party, that is, the Queen of Sheba, being involved in these ventures.
2 She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind.