According to 1 Kings, which queen visited Solomon to test his wisdom with difficult questions?

The story behind the answer

According to 1 Kings, the Queen of Sheba visited Solomon to test his wisdom with difficult questions.

She arrives in Jerusalem with a large caravan carrying spices, gold, and precious stones. The biblical account says she speaks with Solomon about matters that challenged him, and that he answers all her questions. She is impressed by his wisdom, his royal court, and the organization of his kingdom.

The text does not give her personal name or identify her kingdom with complete precision. Later Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions developed additional stories about her, including the Ethiopian tradition that links her with Makeda.

She is sometimes confused with Jezebel, who was a later queen associated with King Ahab, or Athaliah, who ruled Judah. The Queen of Sheba is a distinct visitor in Solomon’s reign.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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