When the Queen of Sheba visits Solomon, what she witnesses is described as a new creation.
1 Kings 4 presents Solomon as a new Adam, but an Adam who received the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (that is, judicial wisdom) at God’s hand rather than seizing it at the suggestion of the devil. In response to Solomon’s prayer (1 Kings 3:3-15),
…God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all other men, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol, and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of fish. And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom. (1 Kings 4:29-34)
Consequently, the beauty of his kingdom is described according to the architecture of Genesis 1. Peter Leithart writes:
When Queen Sheba visits Solomon, she sees things that take her breath away (2 Samuel 9:3–4), seven things, which roughly match the seven days of creation:
1. All she sees expresses the wisdom of Solomon, wisdom from God who made the world by His wisdom (Proverbs 8).2. Sheba is impressed with the house Solomon built. We’re not told whether this is the house of Yahweh or Solomon’s own palace. If the former, it is an earthly form of the firmament-tent of Yahweh.3. On Day 3 of creation, food sprang from the earth, grasses with seeds and trees with fruit. Earth becomes a table set with food for animals and humanity. Sheba is impressed with the food (ma’akal, the “edible things”) of Solomon’s table.4. Sheba is impressed with the seating of Solomon’s servants, who are enthroned (moshav) like the lights that rule from the heavens. Day 4.5. Others stand (‘amad) to serve (sharat) at Solomon’s table, like the priests who stand to serve at Yahweh’s altar-table in the temple. The text calls attention to their “attire” (malbush), and clothing is a common Day 5 theme in the Torah. Swarming things created on Day 5 form clouds and coverings, resembling clouds of incense or billowing robes on a priest.6. A third category of servant is also named—cupbearers (mashqeh). In several places, the word means “well-watered” (Genesis 13:10; Ezekiel 45:15) or “drink” (Isaiah 32:6). Cupbearers are “refreshment-bearers” for kings. Perhaps we can see a distant hint of the abundant water of the garden of Eden.7. The final thing that impresses Sheba is the ascent by which Solomon ascends (‘aliyyato ‘asher ya’aleh, using a form of ‘alah twice) to the house of Yahweh. Ascent is a Sabbatical theme, reinforced by the fact that the ascent is to the house of Yahweh.All this fits the Chronicler’s typology of kingship. Solomon’s court resembles the courts of Yahweh’s house. Like Yahweh, Solomon has servants who stand, a table, food and drink and festivity. Since the temple is an architectural expression of the creation, it’s fitting that Solomon’s house and court would also conform to the creation pattern.
All this leaves Sheba without spirit. In the creation-week context, this use of ruach is significant. The Spirit of Yahweh initiates and orchestrates the symphony of creation; seeing the skill of Solomon’s kingdom, a gift of the Spirit, Sheba’s spirit departs.
The construction of Solomon’s Temple follows the same pattern, since the House of God was a microcosm—a substitutionary model—of the entire cosmos. See King of Peace: Covenant Structure in 1 Kings 1-11.
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