The Kebra Negast makes several references to Solomon and Sheba describing them as good and wise rulers who are blessed by God and rule justly during long standing surpluses of unimaginable wealth. This is an archetypal characterization of the wise ruler that finds itself in many religious texts as well as stories dating back before Christ’s life. The wise ruler derives their power to rule directly from God, a governmental system set up on the divine rite of power passed from heaven down to the ruler. This creates an interesting understanding of both God and the ruler as characters in the story itself.

                The wise ruler often has immense wisdom which they dole out as much they can. Their presence is something of comfort and people often seek to be by their leader. No matter where the ruler leads them, the governed feel secure and do not fear anything except their ruler. The fear they have for him is out of respect and admiration to be like the ruler. Solomon and Sheba exemplify these qualities in the Kebra Negast in the way their manner and actions are described.

                Through the description of the ruler, we then get an idea for how God is like a spiritual ruler. People pray to him for understanding and wisdom to complete challenges in their lives. They rely on him for comfort during difficult times of suffering and seek his guidance when they feel spiritually lost. Yet aspects of him are more powerful than the wise king, including the amount of fear God garners out of worship and respectful prayer. In a way, anthropomorphizing a wise ruler is a way of writing about God, a concept of a perfect and worthy of ruling king.

To read more of the Kebra Negast which is facinating, go to: http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/kn/