The Queen of Sheba and King Solomon

The Queen of Sheba is first introduced in the Hebrew Bible as a distinguished monarch from southern Arabia. She journeyed to Jerusalem with the intent of meeting King Solomon, whose wisdom had gained widespread renown. Her purpose was to test Solomon’s intellect and discernment by presenting him with difficult questions and riddles.

A Meeting of Minds and Wealth

Upon her arrival, the Queen of Sheba brought extravagant gifts, including gold, spices, and precious stones, signifying her own wealth and the importance of the occasion. The encounter between the Queen and Solomon was marked by a mutual exchange of both material riches and intellectual respect. Their interaction is portrayed as a demonstration of diplomatic relations and the sharing of knowledge, underscoring the significance of commerce between ancient Israel and southern Arabia.

The Purpose of Her Visit

The primary motivation for the Queen of Sheba’s journey was to challenge Solomon’s celebrated wisdom.

She posed numerous riddles to him, seeking to verify the depth of his understanding. Through these exchanges,

the story illustrates the Queen’s admiration for Solomon and affirms the existence of important commercial ties

and diplomatic respect between their realms.

Here are two examples.

Seven leave and nine enter; two pour out the draught and only one drinks.

Solomon interpreted this as referring to the seven days of a woman's menstrual cycle, the nine months of pregnancy, the two breasts that nourish the child, and the one who drinks being the child itself.

How can a woman say to her son: ‘Your father is my father; your grandfather, my husband; you are my son, and I am your sister?

 Solomon replied: “The two daughters of Lot” (who became pregnant by their father and bore sons).

While visiting Solomon, Sheba cautioned him not to touch her since she was unmarried. He consented, provided she refrained from taking anything of his while staying as a guest, to which she agreed. To outwit her, Solomon had an exceptionally spicy meal served for dinner and placed a glass of water near her bed. That night, unable to resist, Sheba drank the water. Solomon proclaimed she'd broken their agreement, making it permissible for him to break his promise as well. They spent the night together, and after Sheba returned to her homeland, she learned she was pregnant. She gave birth to Menelik, Solomon’s son.

The Legacy of Menelik I
Origins and Dynastic Foundation

                                                                                         Menelik I is celebrated as the legendary first Emperor of Ethiopia's Solomonic dynasty. The Kebra Nagast, a national epic                                                                                                                                 written in the 14th century, attributes the founding of this dynasty to Menelik I in the 10th century BC. The dynasty is named for                                                                                                                         its connection to King Solomon of ancient Israel, as Menelik I is said to be the son of Solomon and Makeda, the Queen of Sheba. 

                                                                                        Early Life and Connection to Israel

                                                                                        Menelik I was raised by his mother, Makeda, in her homeland, and he was brought up in the Jewish faith. He did not meet his father, King                                                                                                        Solomon, until he was in his twenties, when he traveled to Jerusalem. Although Solomon wished for Menelik to remain in Israel and rule, Menelik                                                                                            chose to return to his mother's land. In response, Solomon sent a group of Israelites with him to help govern according to biblical traditions,                                                                                                    despite their discontent at being permanently exiled.

The Ark of the Covenant and Ascension

                                                                                                                     There are differing accounts regarding the Ark of the Covenant. One version of the story claims that Solomon gave the Ark to                                                                                                                           Menelik, while another suggests that Menelik and his companions took the Ark with them as they returned to Ethiopia. In these                                                                                                                         tales, Solomon attempted to retrieve the Ark, but was unable to, as its supernatural powers supported Menelik. Upon the death                                                                                                                       or abdication of his mother, Menelik was crowned King of Axum.

Within ancient traditions, there exists a figure referred to simply as the Widow, whose personal details remain undocumented. Her son, recognized for his architectural contributions to Solomon’s temple, is lauded for embodying integrity, honor, and an unwavering dedication to knowledge. The narrative emphasizes the importance of loyalty and adherence to one’s responsibilities. This legend illustrates that betrayal is regarded as a consequence more severe than death, reinforcing the tradition’s emphasis on steadfast commitment and ethical behavior.

Hiram’s Mother

Tribal Connections and Symbolism

Hiram’s mother was a Daughter of Dan, the fifth son of Jacob. The tribe of Dan was renowned for its boldness, courage, daring, and cunning, qualities that Hiram inherited from his maternal lineage. The banner of Dan was blue, which is suggested as a potential origin for the use of blue as a significant color in Masonic traditions.

Significance of Hiram’s Mother

Hiram is often referred to as "a widow’s son" in the Bible, emphasizing not only his mixed heritage of Israelite and Tyrian descent but also his mother’s enduring faith and lineage, maintained even while living in a foreign land like Tyre.

Biblical Reference

In the book of Chronicles, Chapter 2, verses 13 and 14, Hiram, King of Tyre, describes to Solomon the man he is sending to oversee the construction of the Temple. He highlights the craftsman’s exceptional skills and lineage.

"And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, of Hiram my father's, the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre, skillful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device in which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father."

This passage underscores the craftsman’s breadth of expertise and suitability for managing both the diverse materials and the workforce involved in constructing such a significant building.

Symbolic Links

There are additional tribal and symbolic connections: Naphtali, also the fifth son of Jacob, is referenced in Deuteronomy 33:23 as "satisfied with favor, and full of the blessing of the Lord, Possess thou the west and the south." In the same chapter, Dan is called "a lion’s whelp," further highlighting the tribe’s strength and symbolic importance.

Hiram Abiff’s Legacy

Collectively, these details illustrate that Hiram Abiff embodies a convergence of Masonic symbols and characteristics. He inherits the possession of the west and south, is descended from a tribe associated with the Lion of the Tribe of Judah—a symbolic reference to Christ—and possesses the technical mastery essential to his craft. Despite the references to Hiram as a craftsman in the Bible, there is no biblical mention of the name "Abiff," which is unique to Masonic tradition.

The third woman, the Queen of Sheba, is often portrayed as a wise and powerful ruler who visited Solomon to test his wisdom, as detailed in biblical texts. Her visit is seen as a symbol of cultural exchange and the quest for knowledge. In the Order of the Eastern Star, there is a degree known as the Queen of the South, which is intended to complement members who have already received the five primary degrees of the order.

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Masonry and Mother’s Day
Women’s Influence on Masonry
By Sr Warden Ed Arico
 
As we celebrate Mother’s Day this month, it is fitting to reflect on the women who have indirectly shaped the traditions and values of Masonry. I have chosen three women whose stories I hope you find interesting. Among them is a woman highlighted in the lecture of our first degree. Her unwavering loyalty to her mother-in-law stands out as a testament to devotion and commitment. After Naomi suffered the loss of her husband and sons, only one daughter-in-law chose to remain by her side. This steadfast support eventually resulted in a marriage that produced a remarkable lineage, leaving a lasting impact on Masonry through her example of loyalty and family bonds.

The Book of Ruth

Ancient Israelite Customs: The Shoe as Testimony

One distinctive custom practiced among the ancient Israelites, and later adopted by Masons, involved the use of a shoe in matters of redeeming and changing property. According to the Book of Ruth, when an agreement was to be confirmed, a man would remove his shoe and hand it to his neighbor. This act served as a legal testimony and a visible sign of confirmation within Israel. Notably, this tradition required that individuals participating in the ritual were neither barefoot nor shod, reflecting the specific ceremonial requirements of the custom. As reference in our Entered Apprentice lecture.

Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their sons Mahlon and Chilion—emigrate to the nearby country of Moab. Elimelech dies, and the sons marry two Moabite women: Mahlon weds Ruth and Chilion Orpah. Elimelech and his sons all died in Moab, leaving Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah widowed. At the time, Ruth and Orpah were childless. Naomi then plans to return to Israel.

Naomi advises her daughters-in-law to return to their families and remarry. Orpah, though hesitant, decides to leave. Ruth, however, refuses and says, "Please don't make me leave you or stop following you. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and that's where I will be buried. May the Lord punish me if anything but death separates us."

                                                                                         Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem at the commencement of the barley harvest.  To provide for herself and her mother-in-law,                                                                                                 Ruth begins gleaning in the fields, which are owned by Boaz. As a close relative of Naomi's late husband's family, Boaz is obliged                                                                                             under levirate law to marry Ruth, widow of Mahlon, to ensure continuation of the family's inheritance. However, Boaz informs Ruth                                                                                           that there is another male relative who is closer in kinship. The following morning, Boaz convenes with this individual at the city                                                                                                 gate, in the presence of the town elders. The relative declines to marry Ruth to avoid impacting his own estate’s inheritance, thus                                                                                             relinquishing his right of redemption. This action enables Boaz to proceed with marrying Ruth.

                                                                                         The property transaction is finalized and ratified by the nearer kinsman removing his sandal and handing it to Boaz, as was                                                                                                       customary in Israel during such exchanges or redemptions to confirm the validity of the agreement.  
 
                                                                                         Boaz and Ruth are then married and have a son. The child is named Obed, he is the father of Jesse, who is the father of David.                                                                                               Making Obed the grandfather of King David, and so Ruth is the great-grandmother of King David. One of David’s sons by                                                                                                         Bathsheba is Solomon.

For many years before he passed away, David gathered resources to construct a temple in Jerusalem that 
would serve as a lasting residence for Yahweh and the Ark of the Covenant. Solomon carried forward his
father David’s vision by overseeing the construction of the temple, assisted by an architect named Hiram 
and materials supplied by King Hiram of Tyre.




 

Order Of The Eastern Star Of Arizona 

Verde Valley Chapter No7

534 S 12th St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326

Secretary: Barbara Wunder, PGM

602-290-9547   barbara.wundervv7@gmail.com

Stated Meetings: First Tuesday at 7:30PM

Dark: July and August

Family Tree of Boaz and Ruth

2025-2026 GRAND LINE OFFICERS

Grand Master Most Worshipful Leigh Creighton

Deputy Grand Master Right Worshipful Roger Biede III

Senior Grand Warden  Right Worshipful Eric Dupree

Juni​or Grand Warden Right Worshipful James Xie

Grand Secretary​​ Very Worshipful  Greg Vasquez, PGM

Grand Treasurer Very Worshipful Ron Richards

Deputy Grand Secretary MWPGM Jim Baker

Deputy Grand Treasurer Brother John Olson

Senior Grand Deacon Worshipful Brother Reed Houge

Junior Grand Deacon Worshipful Brother​​ Steve Bracety

Senior Grand Steward Worshipful Brother William Carnell

Junior Grand Steward Worshipful Brother​​ Michael Flutty

Grand Lecturer WB David Fierro​

Grand Chaplain VR WB Nathan Schick

Grand Orator WB Thomas Carpenter 

Grand Marshal WB Lew Ivy

Grand Standard Bearer David Aguayo

Grand Sword Bearer WB Timothy Strasser

Grand Bible Bearer WB Harold Lindamood

Grand Pursuivant WB DJ Arps

Grand Organist Jonathan Edward D’Emilio

Grand Editor WB George Balady, Jr.

Grand Tyler WB Augustin Delgado

Grand Counsel WB Richard Leland Brooks

Grand Photographer WB Allen Nichols  

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Masonic Celebrations