The story goes that Benaiah, one of Solomon's most trusted courtiers, escorted the Queen to meet the king. But this wasn't just any meeting. Solomon, in his infinite wisdom (and perhaps a touch of theatrical flair), had arranged the encounter in a house made entirely of glass. Imagine the scene: shimmering reflections, light dancing everywhere... a true spectacle.
And that's where the trickery began. As the Queen approached, she saw Solomon sitting, seemingly surrounded by water. Can you picture her surprise? Thinking she needed to protect her garments, she lifted her skirt to wade through the "water."
But there was no water. It was an illusion, a dazzling display of Solomon's ingenuity.
And here’s where things get interesting. As the Queen raised her garment, Solomon noticed something about her feet: they were hairy. Now, before we jump to conclusions, remember this is folklore. What does it all mean?
Solomon, ever the diplomat (and maybe a little blunt), remarked, "Thy beauty is the beauty of a woman, but thy hair is masculine; hair is an ornament to a man, but it disfigures a woman." Ouch. A bit of a backhanded compliment, wouldn’t you say?
This encounter, as recounted in Legends of the Jews (Ginzberg's retelling, that is), isn't just about appearances. It's about challenging assumptions, about seeing beyond the surface. It's about how even the wisest among us can be deceived, and how even royalty isn't immune to a little embarrassment.
But the story doesn't end there. The Queen, undeterred by Solomon's observation, immediately engages him in a battle of wits. "I have heard of thee and thy wisdom," she said, "if now I inquire of thee concerning a matter, wilt thou answer me?" To which Solomon, ever confident, replies, "The Lord giveth wisdom, out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding."
This sets the stage for the riddles and tests of wisdom that are to come. But for now, let's just ponder that initial meeting. What was Solomon trying to prove with his glass house illusion? Was he simply showing off his power and intelligence? Or was there a deeper lesson he wanted the Queen of Sheba to learn?
Perhaps it's a reminder for all of us: things aren't always as they seem. And sometimes, a little bit of humility – even for a queen – can go a long way.