Was Malkas Sheva a queen7
Bava Basra 15b: One who says that Malkas Sheva was a woman, he errs! Rather, it is Malchusa (the kingdom of 1 ) Sheva.
Maharsha (Bava Basra 15b): Yes. Refer to 10:1:1:1*.
Maharsha (15b): We do not find any other kingdom called like this! The entire Parshah is in the feminine, and concludes that she was queen, e.g. "Hi va'Avadeha" (verse 10). The Gemara means only that she reigned; she was not merely the wife of the reigning king.
Why does it say "Shoma'as" (present tense)?
Radak: She constantly heard.
Malbim: She heard now. Shlomo's servants who went to Ofir passed Eretz Sheva on the way. They told of Shlomo's Chachmah.
Why does it say "l'Shem Hashem"?
Radak: Most witches and magicians are not l'Shem Hashem; Shlomo's Chachmah was l'Shem Hashem.
Malbim: His Chachmah is Divine, and not natural.
How would she test him with riddles?
Radak: It is with matters hidden with Chachmah. She was a Chachamah.
Malbim: Human Chachmah cannot know all riddles. Sometimes the matter is hidden, e.g. Shimshon's riddle could not be answered. Who would 'prophesize' that he killed a lion, and bees nested in the carcass and made honey?!
