If you’re of my generation, then I’m thinking you might just be familiar with such famous duos as Abbott & Costello, Martin & Lewis, and perhaps even Astaire & Rogers. Noodle on it some more and you might come up with Batman & Robin, Kirk & Spock, and Bert & Ernie. Keep going and there’s Han & Chewy, Mario & Luigi, and Woody & Buzz. Music in your background? Then what about Lennon & McCartney, Sonny & Cher, and Simon & Garfunkel? Go bible, and it doesn’t take long to think about Moses & Aaron, Ruth & Naomi, James & John, Martha & Mary, and maybe Paul & Barnabas.

So why this walk down trivia lane? Another “famous duo” jumped off the page this morning as I was reading in 1Kings. A pairing that, while I thought I was pretty familiar with the passage, I don’t think I’ve ever really noticed before.

Who’s this pair I’m pondering? This duo that’s got me deliberating? This match on which I’m meditating? (That was kind of fun). Solomon and the LORD.

Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions.

(1Kings 10:1 ESV)

Ask me what the story of the queen of Sheba was about and I’d have said that she had heard about Solomon and went to check out if the guy really lived up to his reputation. But actually, she heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD. She was not intrigued just by Solomon as a solo act, but also in how what Solomon did was tied to what Solomon believed. Interested not only in the king of Israel’s purported wisdom, but also wanted to know where it came from. Wanting not only to interact with Solomon’s greatness, but also with His God.

And she did.

And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard. . . . Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel!”

(1Kings 10:6-7, 9a ESV)

The report was true . . . Blessed be the LORD your God!

Solomon and his God, the two were inseparable in the queen’s estimation. The king’s greatness was linked intrinsically with the LORD’s goodness. The king’s fame was to the glory of God’s name.

The Name. Isn’t that what makes all the difference? I’m thinkin’.

I read earlier, in chapter 9, about the difference the Name makes. After Solomon had dedicated the temple to the LORD, the LORD responds, “I have heard your prayer and your plea, which you have made before Me. I have consecrated this house that you have built, by putting My name there forever” (1Ki. 9:3). It’s the Name that set apart the structure as holy. Look upon Solomon’s temple and you couldn’t help but think great thoughts concerning Solomon’s God. Similarly, when the queen of Sheba heard the stories about Solomon’s success, she also heard the stories of Solomon’s Sovereign. When she encountered Solomon’s greatness firsthand, she gave glory to God firsthand.

Solomon would eventually become enamored with his own “press clippings” and go out, more and more, on his own, but for now he was part of a pair. Known in the context of being but one of the singers — the lesser singer — participating in a divine duet, his fame was tied to God’s name.

I can be part of a famous duo too (at least in heaven’s eyes).

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” ~ Jesus

(John 15:5 ESV)

“Take My yoke upon you . . . ” ~ Jesus

(Matthew 11:29a ESV)

Pete & Jesus. Jesus & Pete.

Hmm . . . has a nice ring to it.

All by His grace. Only for His glory.