74. Concerning the King of Medyâm

Kebra Nagast

“Those who marry many wives seek their own punishment. He who marrieth one wife hath no sin.”25 And the law restraineth us from the sister [-in-law],26 in respect of the bearing of children. The Apostles speak [concerning it] in the [Book of] Councils.27

29. Concerning the Three Hundred and Eighteen [Patriarchs]

Now we ordain even as did they. We know well what the Apostles who were before us spake. We the Three Hundred and Eighteen have maintained and laid down the orthodox faith, our Lord Jesus Christ being with us. And He hath directed us what we should teach, and how we should fashion the faith.

[The Narrative of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba Continued]

And King Solomon sent a message unto the Queen, saying, “Now that thou hast come here why wilt thou go away without seeing the administration of the kingdom, and how the meal[s] for the chosen ones of the kingdom are eaten after the manner of the righteous, and how the people are driven away after the manner of sinners? From [the sight of] it thou wouldst acquire wisdom. Follow me now and seat thyself in my splendour in the tent, and I will complete thy instruction, and thou shalt learn the administration of my kingdom; for thou hast loved wisdom, and she shall dwell with thee until thine end and for ever.” Now a prophecy maketh itself apparent in [this] speech.

And the Queen sent a second message, saying, “From being a fool, I have become wise by following thy wisdom, and from being a thing rejected by the God of Israel, I have become a chosen woman because of this faith which is in my heart; and henceforth I will worship no other god

25Compare I Corinthians, vii. 26Compare Leviticus xviii, 18. 27Guidi (apud Bezold) compares No. 19 of the Apocryphal Canones Apostolorum.

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