King Solomon 5

In order to make a comprehensive plan for war, King Solomon called a meeting of his generals.  In it he made his intention clear; he declared that the common man was not responsible for the decision of war.  Therefore, it was not appropriate to punish them for the deeds of their superiors.  As soon as King Solomon finished his speech, one general got up and said, “With great respect, King Solomon, some type of damage to the enemy and its belongings is inevitable in the time of war.”

“I am aware of it. The only way to minimize it is to make the time of war short.  Now, I want to know which one of you can make it short and how?”

          One intelligent chieftain, with great insight in the matters of war, from the unruly nomadic tribe said,” “The best way to do so is not to wage war on the out skirts of Queen Sheba’s territory. We should straight away attack the capital city of the country and conquer it.  I am an honest and trustworthy person and I can do this before you order the army to reach the next stop.”

          Another officer, who was fully aware of the correspondence which had taken place between Queen Sheba and King Solomon, said, “I can do it in a jiffy. In no time, the throne of the queen will be in your possession.” King Solomon approved his plan and he was appointed to complete the mission, which he successfully did with great care and efficiency.  Queen Sheba was presented in front of King Solomon, along with her embellished throne, treasury, and other precious items.

          When King Solomon saw all that, he bowed in front of God—as a sign of his gratefulness –and declared that it had all happened because God had given him every tangible means to achieve this victory.  Then he turned toward Queen Sheba and said, “Is this the wealth which made you so proud as not to accept the truth.”  Queen Sheba hung her head in embarrassment and replied, “Yes, power and wealth corrupt the wisdom of those who possess it.  Moreover, we were depending on our gods for victory and they did not protect us.”

          After this straightforward answer the relations between the two countries became cordial; King Solomon treated her as a royal guest, not as a defeated enemy.  He ordered that as a guest of honor she should stay in a glass castle.  Queen Sheba, when she approached the glass guest house, became slightly nervous and thought that it was water.  At that point in time, she had no idea of this industry.  King Solomon guessed the cause of her confusion and told her that it was glass and not water.

          “Is this standard of living the result of Nezam-e-Rabubiyyit which you have introduced in the country?” she asked.

“Yes,” he replied. “This system oppresses none; it allows everyone to obey the laws of God in a systematic and organized way. God does not want to take anything from the human beings.  In obeying the laws of God we don’t give him anything; on the contrary, we make our lives better and happier,” replied King Solomon.

“I believe in the magnanimous and open-handed God of King Solomon,” Queen Sheba cried out in ecstasy.  “He has such awe-inspiring powers; along with that He bestows his bounties munificently on human beings when they synchronize their lives with his laws.”