Hello Devadatta,
No problem. First thing I did was read the biblical story of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. I took note of the details that I considered of interest, such as her proving Solomon with hard questions, she traveled by caravan, brought 120 talents of gold, and more spices than Israel ever saw. I also noted that Solomon in the end gave her her every desire.
Second: I looked up the history of Sheba, and discovered there was such a place. It was also called Saba, and the people were a semitic race called Saabiens. The area was originally what is now the south west part of Arabia or Yemen. I discovered that there are records of Saba that go as far back as the 700s BC. These sources were taken from the encyclopedia, world history, and other references of secular construct.
Third: I remembered reading something from our friend Canuck about Sheba and Etheopia, so I started looking at Etheopian history (again in the encylopedia and world history references), and discovered there was a Sheba there as well as a Queen, preceeded by five kings (which I found interesting due to the fact that the arabian societies tended to be matriarchal back then). I also discovered that that area was in fact rich in gems, precious stones, gold and spices. Spices were worth their weight in gold practically!
Fourth: I checked to see just how influential Solomon's kingdom was at the time of this alleged story. It was quite vast, and with Solomon having a fleet of merchant ships (built for him as a result of the friendship between David and the King of Cyrus). I also looked for information about Solomon through Freemason references (there is a whole lot of information on Solomon through the Freemasons).
Finally, I sat and put the pieces together. Trade agreements were as important then as they are now, between nations. Why wouldn't the monarch of a nation dependent on trade, not want to strike a bargain with such an influential and apparently prosperous nation as Israel? Especially when Israel had the means to carry on trade more efficiently by sea than a nation with only camel caravans? And why wouldn't one leader want to meet such a one of fame as Solomon?
I did not think to go to the Qu'ran for reference as Brian notes, because I presumed that since Islam would not come to the forefront until 1200 years later, there would be no reference (which was a mistake on my part).
Oh, and I did find it interesting to note. One of the favorite past times of the well do do (in all areas of the middle east back then), was to tell stories and present riddles (Sheba proved Solomon with hard questions).
...
What flows out for seven, remains in for nine, has two spouts for draught, but only one eats?
Though there is no hard evidence that the actual story is true, there is nothing about the story to the contrary of actual life or the needs of the nations to support eachother, as described at that time.
Hence
my opinion that the story of The Queen Sheba and Solomon is not legend, but infact true to one degree or another.
NGNM just piqued my curiosity with his remark, so I decided to investigate.
Oh, I'm not so certain about the Ark of the covenant being taken to Sheba, however, once the temple was built, there would be no need for the Ark of the covenant, so perhaps it is true.
v/r
Q