34: Sheba
This chapter comes after Luqman
31 and before Throngs 39 in the chronological
order of revelation. It consists
of 54 Meccan verses arranged in six sections: only
v 6 dates from later in Madina. This also marks the first of six chapters
in a new series.
It begins with an exordium on God's omniscience. Then the message warns
against the effects of luxury and of associating others in our pure worship
of God
(III). It also recounts the story of King David his wise son Solomon. and
their war
against Sheba (II), which lay in Yaman far to the south of the Hijaz. It
ends with
a vivid picture of how knowledge must be pursued carefully (VI).