She had a long way to go. We read, she came from the uttermost parts of the earth. Distances were immense in those days. It was a journey for camels, by no means a comfortable method of traveling. Soldiers must guard her, for there were many robbers; servants must go to wait upon her, for her state must be in keeping with the greatness of the foreign court. She must take with her a load of the most splendid gifts. Then there were long stretches of hot, wind-swept deserts to be crossed, in which many had perished in the sand storms. But she was not daunted, she was not to be turned aside. She had made up her mind, and bravely faced all the dangers. And then, also, we must not overlook the fact she had no invitation. She did not know how he might receive her. These great kings were jealous of strangers. Upon some pretence that she came to spy out the land, he might have her seized as a prisoner, and held her and her servants to be ransomed at some enormous cost of money. Such things were common enough; and, if he received her, was it not likely that he would look with contempt upon her? Even civilized people like the Greeks were accustomed to regard those as barbarians whose language and ways were foreign to themselves. But this brave woman will risk it all, and with a splendid courage, the courage of a woman, she comes. So the Queen of Sheba came to see King Solomon, and the scene of her coming was one of the utmost splendor. It was a tribute indeed to the far-reaching fame of Israel, which king and people alike may well have sought to turn to the fullest account. [Illustration: THE QUEEN OF SHEBA.] At the city gate Solomon came forth to meet the queen in all his glory, with flashing crown of pure gold, and royal robes of costliest magnificence. About him are the great officers of state in their gorgeous apparel, the old wise counselors, the chief captains of his army. Everywhere are the vast crowds of citizens, thronging every house roof and city wall, and clustering on every point of vantage. The music of his singing men and singing women fills the air with glad welcome.