I have chosen to respond to your post, just to see if I can help to stop those two brothers from jumping on each other, instead of allowing us to proceed with the reasoning. If they would both settle down and share humble standing with each other, then they would see, that I am not taking any side with any of them, but I have just tried to analyze the story, according to how it was written, and shared my views and opinions, as it relates to rational Judgement. I am aware that both brothers have been contending over the issue about Solomon raping Sheba. I did spend some time just to see if both brothers would return to sober reasoning, based on the foundation which I have laid, but it seems to me that they are still contending.

If they had taken a good look at my humble opening in that post, I did ask for us to have some order in the classroom, I do need to learn as much as I can, for I did say that I consider this Forum, as an international classroom, and I am very serious about this. We will get along much better, and learn more from each other, if we try to listen to each other, and reason instead of arguing.

In order to make my reasoning much clearer, I will have to expand on this reasoning, by opening some of the other doors of knowledge, in order to make my reasoning very transparent.

Now it appears to me, after reading within the lines of the story, Sheba was impressed with the riches and wisdom of Solomon, and after spending some time in his Country, and have seen and learned so many things, as a leader of her own Country, the spirit and moods of responsibilty, told her that it was time to return to her own Country. It also appeared to me, that Solomon had asked her to stay with him and share his life wisdom and riches but she refused. These are the words of the Queen of Sheba: I greatly wish to stay with you, but now for the sake of my own people, I must return to my own Country. As for that which I have heard, let the Creator let it bear fruits in my heart, and in the hearts of all those who will hear from me. It was now six months since she was here in Solomon's Country.

It was then that Solomon sent her a message saying: Will you go away without seeing the Kingdom, and without dinning with me? Then Sheba replied, I have become wise from listening to your wisdom, therefore, I WILL STAY ACCORDING TO YOUR DESIRE.

Solomon then ordered his servants to prepare the Palace with great Elegance, and prepare the Royal table according to the law of his Kingdom. When Sheba arrived, she was really swept of her feet and struck with wonder and amazement, at the great splendor of all that she saw. By this time, Solomon have already arranged with his servants, to prepare all the foods with excessive amount of spicies, which will cause Sheba to be very thirsty, I mean this was a deliberate plan, to have her trapped, by using food as a weapon, Solomon knew exactly what he was doing, and have probably done this before, on many of his wives and concubines. Even her drinks were laced with vinegar, and various dishes laced with pepper. Is this really how a guest is to be treated? No, only if you have some hidden agenda.

It was after the meal that Solomon went to Sheba and said to her, you can rest here for love's sake until the morning, then Sheba said to him, Swear in the name of your Creator, that you will not take me by force, and Solomon said I swear that I will not, but you must swear to me, that you will not take any of my possessions by force. Sheba had a good laugh at hearing this and replied, I have no need for your things, for as you know, that I am also very wealthy. Indeed I swear that I will not take any of your possessions.

Solomon then went up on his bed on one side of the room or chamber, and the servants made ready her bed, on the other side of the room.Then Solomon whispered to a man servant, wash out the bowl, and set in it a Jar of water, while the Queen is looking on, make sure that she see that it is water. Then shut the doors and leave.

Solomon was a great pretender as he pretended that he was sleeping, but he was not. Sheba slept for a little while, but woke up with this burning thirst for water, she tried to be careful, and she assummed that Solomon was asleep, but he was not, so she rose up and went to the water in the bowl and lifted the Jar to drink, this was what Solomon was waiting for, he got up and seized her by her hand, before she could drink, and said, why have you already broken your oath that you would not take by force any thing in my house? Then Sheba asked, is the oath broken by me drinking water? Then Solomon asked, is there anything upon the face of this earth as precious as water? Then Sheba said, then I have broken my own oath, and you are free of your oath she told him. Then Solomon asked, I am free of the oath which you made me swear? Sheba replied yes, but please let me drink your water. So Solomon permitted her to drink her fill, and after that, they made love, and then sleep together.

However, I do think that Solomon was very deceptive, in the trap which he set for her, and was deliberate in is plans, of using very spicy foods as a weapon to have her trapped. However, Although I consider Solomon's behaviour, as very deceptive to Sheba, I do not think there was any need for him to rape her, after she had surrender her self to him, based on their agreement. Remmember also, that Sheba had earlier said, I GREATLY WISH TO STAY WITH YOU, BUT NOW, FOR THE SAKE OF MY PEOPLE, I MUST NOW RETURN TO MY COUNTRY, A signal, that she did have some interest, in having a relationship with Solomon. These are my personal views, but you all can speak on it for your selves.

Now you can all judge for yourselves, in my opinion, Solomon drugged her with his spices, knowing fully well that she would be blazing with thirst after a given time, so he asked his man servant to set the water down but make sure that she see that it was water, then the oath which she had taken was broken, he was therfore freed of his oath, and since she was already swept of her feet by his wisdom, riches and splendor, and they were alone, they made love in a peaceful manner, with no rsistance, which is what generally takes place when there is a rape situation. I must now get some rest.
Again I send many oceans of blessings, with self determination.
ONE BLACK LOVE ONE BLACK HEART
Baba Ras Marcus