batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l27777-l27836
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l27777-l27836
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 27777-27836
start: '27777'
end: '27836'
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: Then said the queen, O LORD, verily I have dealt unjustly with my own soul;
and I resign myself, together with Solomon, unto GOD, the LORD of all creatures.
summary: Commentarial notes describe Solomon’s letter to the queen of Saba, the
lapwing’s delivery of it, and gifts or tests sent by the queen. In the main passage,
a person with knowledge of scripture brings the queen’s throne to Solomon instantly.
Solomon calls this a divine trial of gratitude, orders the throne altered, and
tests whether the queen recognizes it. The queen recognizes it ambiguously, enters
a glass-floored palace that she mistakes for water, and then declares submission
to God. The passage then begins the account of Saleh sent to Thamud, calling them
to serve God while they are divided.
language: English
quote_policy: quoted
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A commentarial note says the lapwing threw Solomon’s letter into the queen’s
bosom or flew into her shut palace apartment through a window.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The expanded form of Solomon’s letter commands the queen not to rise against
him, but to come and surrender, with an alternate gloss of submitting to divine
direction and true religion.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: A commentarial note describes presents sent to Solomon and additional tests
involving youths dressed alike, a pearl, and an onyx with a crooked hole.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: One described as possessing knowledge of the scriptures says he will bring
the throne to Solomon in the twinkling of an eye.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: When Solomon sees the throne placed before him, he identifies it as a favor
from his Lord and as a trial of whether he will be grateful or ungrateful.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Solomon orders his servants to alter the queen’s throne so that they may test
whether she is rightly directed.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: When the queen is asked whether the altered throne is like hers, she answers
that it is as though it were the same.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: The queen sees the palace floor, imagines it to be great water, and lifts
her robe to pass through it before Solomon explains that it is glass.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: After the glass-palace episode, the queen says she has dealt unjustly with
her own soul and resigns herself, together with Solomon, to God.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:10
text: The passage states that Saleh was sent to Thamud, told them to serve God,
and found them divided into disputing parties.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:11
text: Saleh asks his people why they hasten evil rather than good and says they
must ask pardon of God to obtain mercy.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Solomon
description: Ruler and servant of God who sends the queen a summons, receives or
tests her, orders her throne altered, and explains the glass palace.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Queen of Saba / Balkis
description: Queen addressed by Solomon’s letter, associated with presents and tests
in the notes, later brought before Solomon and declaring submission to God.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Lapwing
description: Bird described in the notes as delivering Solomon’s letter to the queen
and, in another note, as informing Solomon of the embassy.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: One with knowledge of the scriptures
description: Unnamed figure who says he can bring the queen’s throne to Solomon
in the twinkling of an eye.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: GOD / LORD
description: Divine being named as Solomon’s Lord, the one to whom the queen submits,
and the one Saleh commands his people to serve.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Solomon’s servants
description: Servants whom Solomon orders to alter the queen’s throne.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Saleh
description: Brother sent to the tribe of Thamud who commands them to serve God
and to ask pardon.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Tribe of Thamud
description: People to whom Saleh is sent; they are divided into two disputing parties.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
roles:
- id: role:1
label: kingly sender of summons
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Solomon’s letter summons the queen not to resist and to come or surrender.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: tester of recognition and direction
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Solomon orders the queen’s throne altered to see whether she is rightly directed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:3
label: recipient of divine favor and trial
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Solomon calls the arrival of the throne a favor of his Lord and a test of
gratitude.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:4
label: foreign queen addressed and tested
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The queen receives Solomon’s letter and is later questioned about the altered
throne and the glass palace.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:5
label: convert or submitter to God
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The queen declares that she resigns herself, together with Solomon, to God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:6
label: avian messenger
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The lapwing is described as delivering the letter and as informing Solomon
about the embassy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:7
label: scriptural adept
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The unnamed figure is identified by possession of knowledge of the scriptures
and performs the instant transport of the throne.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:8
label: divine object of service and submission
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Solomon names his Lord as the source of favor, the queen submits to God,
and Saleh commands service to God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:9
label: royal agents
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: They are ordered by Solomon to alter the queen’s throne.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:10
label: prophetic warner
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Saleh is sent to Thamud, commands them to serve God, and urges them to ask
pardon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:11
label: divided people addressed by a messenger
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Thamud are described as divided into two disputing parties when Saleh is
sent to them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Solomon’s letter
literal_form: letter or epistle delivered to the queen
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: Queen’s throne
literal_form: royal throne transported to Solomon and then altered
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: sym:3
label: Knowledge of the scriptures
literal_form: knowledge possessed by an unnamed figure, enabling rapid transport
of the throne
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: Presents and testing objects
literal_form: slaves, gold bricks, crown, musk, amber, pearl, and drilled onyx described
in the notes
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:5
label: Apparent water
literal_form: a palace surface imagined to be great water
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:6
label: Glass palace floor
literal_form: palace evenly floored with glass
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Letter and embassy traditions
summary: Commentarial material describes Solomon’s letter reaching the queen by
lapwing and describes the queen’s gifts and tests sent to Solomon.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:2
label: Instant transport of the throne
summary: An unnamed possessor of scriptural knowledge promises to bring the queen’s
throne instantly, and Solomon interprets the throne’s appearance as divine favor
and trial.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Altered throne recognition test
summary: Solomon has the queen’s throne altered and asks whether she recognizes
it; she replies that it is as though the same.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Glass palace and queen’s submission
summary: The queen mistakes a glass floor for water, receives Solomon’s explanation,
and then declares her submission to God.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: Saleh addresses Thamud
summary: Saleh is sent to Thamud, calls them to serve God, and warns them to seek
pardon rather than hasten evil.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Wisdom or scriptural knowledge enables marvelous action
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The unnamed figure’s knowledge of the scriptures is explicitly linked to
his ability to bring the throne to Solomon immediately.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The passage identifies the knowledge and the action but does not explain
the mechanism in detail.
- id: motif:2
label: Royal test of recognition and right guidance
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Solomon alters the queen’s throne to test whether she is rightly directed,
and she gives an ambiguous recognition response.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: This is a passage-level pattern rather than a named taxonomy motif in
the supplied list.
- id: motif:3
label: Illusory water at a palace threshold
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The queen mistakes the glass-floored palace for great water and lifts her
robe before the illusion is explained.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The supplied taxonomy includes the symbol water but no exact motif family
for glass or illusion.
- id: motif:4
label: Submission to God after signs and tests
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: After the throne and glass-palace episodes, the queen declares she has wronged
her own soul and submits with Solomon to God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents submission explicitly, but the causal sequence between
the tests and the declaration is inferred from order.
- id: motif:5
label: Prophetic warning to a divided people
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Saleh is sent to a divided Thamud, commands service to God, and warns them
to seek pardon and mercy rather than hasten evil.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: Judgment is suggested by the warning and need for pardon, but the outcome
of judgment is not included in this line range.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 27777-27784
quote_or_summary: Commentarial notes say the lapwing delivered Solomon’s letter
to the queen, either by throwing it into her bosom or entering her palace apartment
through a window; the expanded epistle is addressed from Solomon to Balkis, queen
of Saba.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; brief summary used.
- id: ev:2
type: quote
locator: lines 27784-27788
quote_or_summary: "“Rise not up against me, but come and surrender yourselves unto
me”; a note glosses this as resigning to divine direction and professing true
religion."
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; short quotation used.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 27791-27806
quote_or_summary: Notes describe the queen’s presents, including slaves, gold bricks,
a crown, musk, amber, a pearl, and an onyx; they also describe tests of Solomon
and the lapwing’s notice of the embassy.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; brief summary used.
- id: ev:4
type: quote
locator: lines 27814-27820
quote_or_summary: One with knowledge of the scriptures says, “I will bring it unto
thee, in the twinkling of an eye”; Solomon sees the throne and calls it “a favor
of my LORD” and a trial of gratitude.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; short quotation used.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 27821-27827
quote_or_summary: Solomon orders the queen’s throne altered to test whether she
is rightly directed; when she arrives and is asked about it, she says it is as
though the same.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; brief summary used.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 27829-27833
quote_or_summary: The queen is told to enter the palace, thinks she sees great water,
lifts her robe to pass through it, and is told by Solomon that the palace is evenly
floored with glass.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; brief summary used.
- id: ev:7
type: quote
locator: lines 27834-27836
quote_or_summary: The queen says, “O LORD, verily I have dealt unjustly with my
own soul; and I resign myself, together with Solomon, unto GOD, the LORD of all
creatures.”
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; short quotation used.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 27836-27839
quote_or_summary: The passage says Saleh was sent to the tribe of Thamud, told them
to serve God, and found them divided into two disputing parties.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; brief summary used.
- id: ev:9
type: quote
locator: lines 27839-27841
quote_or_summary: Saleh asks, “why do ye hasten evil rather than good?” and says
they should ask pardon of God to obtain mercy.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; short quotation used.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is based directly on the supplied passage. Motif labels
are candidate analytical groupings and should be reviewed, especially where no
exact supplied taxonomy reference exists.
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: |-
Only the supplied passage and metadata were used. Comparison claims were left empty because the passage does not itself establish a comparison beyond candidate motif classification.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l27777-l27836
passage_sha256=ef27653c98e36eec71c53e75dc31dbb882fcab40d8a66b29b29c1a7c8449d7b5