Solomon's Oath and the Night of the Water Jar

Illustration of Solomon's Oath and the Night of the Water Jar
Era
Kings and Prophets
Date
Reign of Solomon ○ Traditional
Reference
The Kebra Nagast 30:1-10

When the Queen prepared to leave, Solomon wondered whether God would give him a child by her, and he invited her to a banquet to see how his kingdom was run. He seated her behind him in a perfumed place hung with purple, where she could see without being seen. With intent he sent her fish, dishes made with pepper, and drinks mixed with vinegar.

Left alone with him that night, she made him swear by the God of Israel not to take her by force, and he made her swear to take nothing in his house by force. A servant set out a vessel of water. She woke parched and lifted the jar, and Solomon, who only pretended to sleep, seized her hand. She released him from his oath in return for the water, and they slept together.

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Did You Know?

1

Solomon gave his servant the order about the bowl of water in another language, one the Queen did not understand.

2

The book says Solomon's house was lit as if by day by shining pearls set in the roof like the sun, moon and stars.

3

When the Queen asked whether drinking water broke her oath, Solomon asked if she had seen anything under the heavens better than water.

4

The Queen laughed at Solomon's condition, saying her own kingdom was as wealthy as his and she had come only for his wisdom.

5

The book states that the Queen had reigned six years in her own country and had kept her virginity until that night.

Key Passage

Solomon's Oath and the Night of the Water Jar

The Kebra Nagast 30:1-10

And Solomon answered and said unto her, " I swear unto thee that I will not take thee by force, but thou must swear unto...

A1nd Solomon answered and said unto her, " I swear unto thee that I will not take thee by force, but thou must swear unto me that thou wilt not take by force anything that is in my house." And the Queen laughed and said unto him, " Being a wise man why dost thou speak as a fool?

2 Shall I steal anything, or shall I carry out of the house of the King that which the King hath not given to me? Do not imagine that I have come hither through love of riches. Moreover, my own kingdom is as wealthy as thine, and there is nothing which I wish for that I lack. 3 Assuredly I have only come in quest of thy wisdom." And he said unto her, " If thou wouldst make me swear, swear thou to me, for a swearing is meet for both [of us], so that neither of us may be unjustly treated. And if thou wilt not make me swear I will not make thee swear." 4 And she said unto him, " Swear to me that thou wilt not take me by force, and I on my part will swear not to take by force thy possessions "; and he swore to her and made her swear. And the King went up on his bed on the one side [of the chamber], and the servants made ready for her a bed on the other side. 5 And Solomon said unto a young manservant, " Wash out the bowl and set in it a vessel of water whilst the Queen is looking on, and shut the doors and go and sleep." And Solomon spake to the servant in another tongue which the Queen did not understand, and he did as the King commanded, and went and slept. 6 And the King had not as yet fallen asleep, but he only pretended to be asleep, and he was watching the Queen intently. Now the house of Solomon the King was illumined as by day, for in his wisdom he had made shining pearls which were like unto the sun, and moon, and stars [and had set them] in the roof of his house. 7 And the Queen slept a little. And when she woke up her mouth was dry with thirst, for the food which Solomon had given her in his wisdom had made her thirsty, and she was very thirsty indeed, and her mouth was dry; and she moved her lips and sucked with her mouth and found no moisture. 8 And she determined to drink the water which she had seen, and she looked at King Solomon and watched him carefully, and she thought that he was sleeping a sound sleep. But he was not asleep, and he was waiting until she should rise up to steal the water to [quench] her thirst. 9 And she rose up and, making no sound with her feet, she went to the water in the bowl and lifted up the jar to drink the water. And Solomon seized her hand before she could drink the water, and said unto her, " Why hast thou broken the oath that thou hast sworn that thou wouldst not take by force anything that is in my house? " And she answered and said unto him in fear, " Is the oath broken by my drinking water? " And the King said unto her, " Is there anything that thou hast seen under the heavens that is better than water? " And the Queen said, " I have sinned against myself, and thou art free from [thy] oath. 10 But let me drink water for my thirst." Then Solomon said unto her, " Am I perchance free from the oath which thou hast made me swear? " And the Queen said, " Be free from thy oath, only let me drink water." And he permitted her to drink water, and after she had drunk water he worked his will with her and they slept together.

Read full chapter: The Kebra Nagast 30 →

Did You Know?

1

Solomon gave his servant the order about the bowl of water in another language, one the Queen did not understand.

2

The book says Solomon's house was lit as if by day by shining pearls set in the roof like the sun, moon and stars.

3

When the Queen asked whether drinking water broke her oath, Solomon asked if she had seen anything under the heavens better than water.

4

The Queen laughed at Solomon's condition, saying her own kingdom was as wealthy as his and she had come only for his wisdom.

5

The book states that the Queen had reigned six years in her own country and had kept her virginity until that night.

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