Trick or Agreed?

Reading chapters 1-33 of the Kebra Negast, I was struck by how it relates many of the same stories as the Old Testament of the Bible and, in doing so, how it often references the Bible. Ultimately, the meat of this book- the detailed explanation of the Tabernacle, the description of the Solomonic line of kings and the conversion of Ethiopia to Orthodox Christianity is unique to the Kebra Negast.

Even after the discussion of these chapters in class, I have a (slightly more tempered, but still) negative view of Solomon. I can accept his polygamy, because that generally accepted in his culture, but his blatant manipulation of the Queen of Sheba into sleeping with him is still difficult to justify. If Solomon was not supposed to be an all-good, just and fair spiritual leader to his people, his unfair tactics could be shrugged off as human weakness. In all other facets of life he is hardly equated to your average human, so why in this does he display a flaw? Perhaps it could be argued that it is not weakness, but his strength and cunning that enables his trickery in the first place. I do not see that. It was either basic human lust or the desire for a perfect male heir via the Queen that tempted him to act deceitfully.

Moving beyond what exactly King Solomon’s actions were, perhaps in relating his manipulation of the Queen of Sheba in such a way gave people faith that men still held sway over women. Their culture could continue unimpeded by a strong-willed seemingly indomitable queen.

It could be argued, however, that it was strongly implied in the Kebra Negast that the queen did actually want to sleep with Solomon (considering she was so enamored by him), and the deceit was only on the surface, beneath that there was complete consent from both parties. In that case, the Queen of Sheba’s indomitability would not be in question and no sex (male/female) issues need be raised.

The fact that the King of Solomon desires a male heir with the Queen of Sheba could be considered perfectly natural and appropriate a desire for him to possess. Maybe this in no way undermines his kingliness.

As I have established no real conclusion, perhaps I shouldn’t end here, but this could be argued ceaselessly without conclusion, it is so fascinating.