King Solomon 4

(27:18-19)(27:36-45)

King Solomon 4

          The messenger sent by Queen Sheba failed in the mission to win King Solomon over by bribing him with money. On the contrary, King Solomon returned the messenger with a warning that he would invade the territory of Queen Sheba, with such formidable forces that she would not be able to protect herself and her kingdom, if she did not comply with his demands. The effort to negotiate peace proved fruitless.  Both the states declared war.

          The news of an impending war permeated the whole atmosphere.  There were no international rules at that time governing war.  War was like a black twister dispersing death and misery everywhere it passed, without any discrimination; or it was like a death shroud ready to gulp everything on which it could spread its tentacles.  The name of war terrified many rulers; they directed their subjects to leave the path on which King Solomon and his army were to move.     

         Another queen’s territory, which King Solomon had to cross over to reach the battleground, was governed by a wise woman known as Namel.  She said, “King Solomon is a powerful king; he may not heed our position in the war.  We are a small country and our existence or elimination would not put a dint in his power.  The best course of action for us is to leave his path.”  She sent special officers to guide people to hide in appropriate places so that they could save themselves from the widespread devastation of war.

          When all this news reached King Solomon’s palace, he smiled and gratefulness for God, who had bestowed so many bounties on him, swelled in his heart.  He prayed to Him and said, “My magnanimous giver, as you have given me such great power, please add with it such strength of character that I use it to help the poor and needy and not to destroy the humble and weak. The people fear me because they don’t distinguish between an army of a king and an army of a messenger of God.”    

          King Solomon advanced with his forces, but all the time he was thinking about the non-combatant civilians.  He was a compassionate man with a lot of sympathy for all mankind.  The dwellers of Queen Sheba’s kingdom were idol-worshipers, but still they were human beings.  It was not their fault that their queen had decided to wage a war; therefore, he wanted to do as little damage to the kingdom and inhabitants as possible.