[2] The Jewish Encyclopedia characterizes the story as a "genuine and exuberant midrash",[3] i.e. a free elaboration, of a kind not unusual in Rabbinic literature.
One notable addition to the story involves King Solomon holding a feast for the daunting army of animals, birds and demonic spirits he has as subjects.
Solomon sends for the Queen, and houses her in a room made of glass, through which he reveals that she has a hairy foot.
[5] In addition, there are fifteen manuscripts from the text known between the 12th and 15th centuries (known from Europe, especially Italy, and Yemen), the earliest dating to 1189.
[11] Grossfeld places it in the early seventh century but before Islam based on its description of Rome as being swept away in favor of the son of David,[12] but others have observed that this argument depends on a reading present in only one manuscript.
[2] Iafrate argued for 10th century date based on resemblances to texts composed from that era, including the De Ceremoniis and Midrash Abba Gorion.
Similarly, Targum Sheni proceeds soon after the previous quote: “At that time, the cock of the wood was missed among the fowls, and was not found.
Next, the Quran talks about how the fowl returned to Solomon and reported to him his finding of a kingdom named Sheba with a woman as its leader who has everything and has a mighty throne, but who also worships the sun instead of God (vv.