batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l27688-l27775
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l27688-l27775
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
passage_locator:
label: CHAPTER XXVI. / IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. / CHAPTER XXVII. /
IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.; lines 27688-27775
start: '27688'
end: '27775'
translation: The Koran (Al-Qur'an)
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: The passage includes notes on Solomon's knowledge of animal voices, service
by spirits, the valley of ants, the lapwing's water-finding role, Solomon's marvelous
travel, and the Queen of Saba's identity and throne. In the Qur'anic narrative,
a report says that the Queen of Saba and her people worship the sun instead of
God. Solomon sends a letter commanding submission. The queen consults her nobles,
chooses to send gifts, and Solomon rejects the gifts, threatening military action.
Solomon then asks who can bring the queen's throne before her submission, and
a powerful genius offers to bring it swiftly.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The notes state that Solomon could interpret the meanings of several non-articulate
voices.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The notes state that traditions interpreted Solomon as compelling demons or
spirits to serve him, including at his table and in building works.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The notes identify the valley as associated with great numbers of ants.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The notes describe the lapwing as a bird whose business was to find water
underground, after which devils would draw it.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The notes describe Solomon's travel on a large green silk carpet borne by
the wind, with men on his right, spirits on his left, and birds forming a canopy
above.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: The report says that the Queen of Saba and her people worship the sun besides
God.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: The report says that Satan has prepared their works for them and turned them
aside from the way of truth.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: God is described as bringing to light what is hidden in heaven and earth and
knowing what people conceal and reveal.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Solomon says he will test whether the report is true or false.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: Solomon commands that his letter be cast down to the people, after which the
messenger is to stand aside and wait for their answer.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: The Queen of Saba receives the letter and announces to her nobles that an
honorable letter has been delivered to her.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: The letter is from Solomon and begins in the name of the most merciful God,
commanding the recipients not to rise against him but to come in surrender.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:13
text: The queen asks her nobles for advice and says she will not decide until they
witness and approve the matter.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:14
text: The nobles say they possess strength and prowess in war but that command belongs
to the queen.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:15
text: The queen says that kings who enter a city by force waste it and abase its
powerful inhabitants.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:16
text: The queen chooses to send gifts and wait for information from the returning
envoys.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:17
text: When the queen's ambassador comes to Solomon, Solomon rejects the riches,
saying what God has given him is better.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:18
text: Solomon threatens to come against Saba with forces, drive the people from
their city, and humble them.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:19
text: Solomon asks his nobles which of them will bring the queen's throne before
her people come in surrender.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:20
text: A terrible genius answers that he can bring the throne before Solomon rises
from his place, claiming ability and trustworthiness.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Solomon
description: A royal figure who interprets voices, commands spirits in the notes,
sends the letter to Saba, rejects the gifts, threatens military action, and asks
for the queen's throne to be brought.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Queen of Saba
description: A queen whose people worship the sun; she receives Solomon's letter,
consults her nobles, sends gifts, and possesses a notable throne.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: People of Saba
description: The people ruled by the Queen of Saba, described as worshipping the
sun besides God and as recipients of Solomon's summons.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: God
description: The one God named in Solomon's letter and described as knowing what
is hidden and revealed, and as lord of the magnificent throne.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Satan
description: A being said to have prepared the works of the Queen of Saba's people
for them and turned them aside from the way of truth.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Nobles of Saba
description: Advisers whom the queen consults; they claim military strength but
defer command to her.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Queen's ambassador
description: An envoy who comes to Solomon with the queen's gifts and returns with
Solomon's reply.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Terrible genius
description: A powerful supernatural being who offers to bring the queen's throne
to Solomon before Solomon rises from his place.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Lapwing / al Hudbud
description: In the notes, a bird associated with finding underground water and
with the report concerning the city of Saba.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Spirits or demons
description: In the notes, beings said to serve Solomon and, in the travel account,
to stand on the left side of his carpet.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Birds in Solomon's army
description: Birds said in the notes to fly over Solomon's company and form a canopy
shading them from the sun.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
roles:
- id: role:1
label: king and commander
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Solomon sends commands, threatens forces, and addresses nobles concerning
the queen's throne.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: role:2
label: tester of report
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Solomon says he will see whether the report is true or false.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:3
label: master of supernatural service
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The notes describe spirits serving him and a genius offering to perform a
task for him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:10
- id: role:4
label: queen and deliberating ruler
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: She consults her nobles and reserves decision until their advice is heard.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: possessor of throne
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Solomon asks who will bring her throne before she comes in surrender; the
note describes the throne's materials and size traditions.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: role:6
label: sun-worshiping community
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The report says the queen and her people worship the sun besides God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: sole deity and knower of hidden things
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: God is described as the only God, lord of the magnificent throne, and knower
of hidden and revealed things.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: role:8
label: deceiver or misleader
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Satan is said to have prepared their works for them and turned them from
the way of truth.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:9
label: royal advisers and warriors
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The nobles answer that they are strong and warlike but defer to the queen's
command.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:10
label: diplomatic envoy
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The queen sends gifts by messengers, and her ambassador comes to Solomon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:11
label: supernatural transporter
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The genius offers to bring the queen's throne swiftly and claims ability
and trustworthiness.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:12
label: bird scout and water-finder
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The notes describe the lapwing's business as discovering underground water
and connect it with knowledge of Saba.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:13
label: spiritual servants
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The notes say demons or spirits were forced to serve Solomon and were placed
on the left of his traveling carpet.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: role:14
label: protective canopy
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: The notes say the birds formed a canopy over Solomon's company to shade them
from the sun.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: sun
literal_form: The sun worshiped by the Queen of Saba and her people besides God.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:2
label: magnificent throne of God
literal_form: The magnificent throne named in the declaration that God is its lord.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:3
label: queen's throne
literal_form: The throne of the Queen of Saba, described in notes as made of gold
and silver and crowned with precious stones.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:8
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: sym:4
label: Solomon's letter
literal_form: A letter from Solomon beginning in the name of the most merciful God
and commanding surrender.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: sym:5
label: gifts and riches
literal_form: Gifts sent by the queen to Solomon and rejected by him as inferior
to what God has given him.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:7
- fig:1
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: sym:6
label: underground water
literal_form: Water beneath the ground that the lapwing is said to discover and
mark.
associated_figures:
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:7
label: wind-borne carpet
literal_form: A large green silk carpet carrying Solomon's throne and forces when
lifted by the wind.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:10
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Notes on Solomon's supernatural capacities and travel
summary: The notes describe Solomon's interpretation of non-articulate voices, service
by spirits, the lapwing's water-finding function, and his travel by wind-borne
carpet beneath a canopy of birds.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:2
label: Report of Saba's worship
summary: A report says the Queen of Saba and her people worship the sun besides
God, while God is described as knowing the hidden and revealed and as lord of
the magnificent throne.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:3
label: Solomon sends a letter
summary: Solomon says he will test the report and commands that his letter be delivered,
after which the messenger is to wait for an answer.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:4
label: The Queen of Saba consults her nobles
summary: The queen presents Solomon's letter to her nobles, asks for advice, receives
their statement of military strength and deference, and decides to send gifts
while awaiting further information.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:5
label: Solomon rejects the gifts
summary: The queen's ambassador comes to Solomon; Solomon rejects the riches and
threatens to come against Saba with irresistible forces.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: scene:6
label: Request to bring the queen's throne
summary: Solomon asks which noble can bring the queen's throne before her surrender,
and a terrible genius offers to bring it before Solomon rises from his place.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Wisdom king commanding animals and spirits
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The notes attribute to Solomon knowledge of non-articulate voices, service
by demons or spirits, a water-finding bird, wind-borne travel, and a supernatural
servant able to transport the queen's throne.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: Several details come from explanatory notes and cited commentators rather
than the quoted Qur'anic narrative within this line range.
- id: motif:2
label: Foreign queen summoned from sun worship to divine submission
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: The Queen of Saba and her people are described as worshiping the sun besides
God; Solomon's letter commands them not to rise against him and to come in surrender.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The motif label is descriptive; the passage does not narrate the final
submission within the supplied range.
- id: motif:3
label: Diplomatic gifts rejected by a divinely favored ruler
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: The queen sends gifts to Solomon, but Solomon refuses the riches, saying
what God has given him is better.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The exchange is political and diplomatic; any ritual or sacrificial meaning
is not explicit.
- id: motif:4
label: Supernatural transport of a royal throne
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Solomon asks for the queen's throne before her surrender, and a powerful
genius offers to bring it before Solomon rises from his place.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
confidence: medium
cautions: The actual transport and its outcome occur beyond the supplied excerpt.
- id: motif:5
label: Hidden things revealed
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: God is said to bring to light what is hidden in heaven and earth, and the
notes also describe the lapwing as discovering hidden underground water.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
confidence: low
cautions: This joins a theological statement and a commentary note; the passage
does not explicitly connect them as a single motif.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: Sale's note attributes the motif of Solomon compelling demons or spirits
to serve him to Talmudic interpretation of Hebrew wording associated with Solomon
in Ecclesiastes ii.8.
claim_level: historical_contact
target: Talmudic or midrashic Solomon traditions cited in the note, including Yalkut
Shemuni and Ecclesiastes ii.8
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: This is the translator-commentator's asserted source relationship,
not an independent demonstration within the narrative itself.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 27688-27700, notes c-d
quote_or_summary: Notes state that Solomon understood the meanings of non-articulate
voices and that Talmudic interpretation made demons or spirits serve him, including
in magnificent buildings.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 27701-27703, note e
quote_or_summary: The valley is explained as named from the large numbers of ants
found there, with locations proposed in Syria or Tyef.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 27704-27717, note f
quote_or_summary: 'Arab historians are summarized: Solomon travels after finishing
the temple; in Yaman he lacks water, seeks the lapwing al Hudbud, which can find
underground water and has learned of Saba.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 27718-27725, note f continued
quote_or_summary: Eastern writers say Solomon traveled on a large green silk carpet
bearing his throne and forces; the wind transported it, and birds formed a canopy
above.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 27745-27751
quote_or_summary: The report says the queen and her people worship the sun besides
God; Satan has turned them aside; God reveals hidden things and is lord of the
magnificent throne.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 27752-27755
quote_or_summary: Solomon says he will see whether the speaker is truthful, and
commands that his letter be delivered and that the messenger wait for the reply.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 27756-27761
quote_or_summary: The Queen of Saba receives an honorable letter from Solomon; it
begins in the name of the most merciful God and commands surrender.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 27762-27769
quote_or_summary: The queen consults her nobles; they declare military strength
but defer to her command. She warns that kings waste conquered cities and decides
to send gifts and await information.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 27770-27773
quote_or_summary: The queen's ambassador comes to Solomon; Solomon rejects the riches
and threatens to come with forces that Saba cannot withstand, driving them out
humbled.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 27774-27775
quote_or_summary: Solomon asks which noble can bring the queen's throne before her
surrender; a terrible genius offers to bring it before Solomon rises from his
place.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: lines 27732-27737, note i
quote_or_summary: The note says commentators describe the queen's throne as gold
and silver, crowned with precious stones, with differing reports of its size.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: Literal extraction is strong for the supplied passage. Motif candidates are
cautious because several prominent details are from explanatory notes rather than
the main translated verses, and the episode continues beyond the supplied range.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
No external sources were used beyond the supplied passage and metadata.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l27688-l27775
passage_sha256=54eeed977eaa2a10d8cc41e3612ec8e6cfa2f9980b04e7a425d1a802a5688d28