The Queen of Sheba represents Ethiopia (not metaphorically but rather a queen represents her country). She is powerful and wise (Solomon recognizes she is wise when she tells him that he is wise.) However, the queen falls. She is tricked and twisted into sleeping with Solomon and it is because of this perhaps that she says there will be no more queens to rule Ethiopia.
What does this say for the country? Well, first off, it puts the country in a good light femininely; that is, they have had a female ruler (and in fact, up to her ONLY queens could rule), therefore they are a step above the rest in terms of equality. But, the affair that the queen had with Solomon is troubling. Was this her fall from grace? She appears to be ashamed and says afterward that no woman may rule again. Perhaps because she was tricked into her disgrace, she wants to make sure that no ruler will ever be tricked in such a way again.
I personally was surprised to learn that Ethiopia was one of the first christian countries (and not colonized and converted). This reading also impressed me in it's conviction. It was not saying "you need to believe this or else" but rather, it was portraying this wise queen who found her way to a God and religion. Because she was so influential and intelligent, the realization that she goes through is very convincing. Perhaps it makes one also want to experience this amazing God.
Perhaps the biggest thing that makes the reading convincing was that all of her knowledge of this God came not from the God itself, but from a man. (A devious man but a man nonetheless). So, she did not have a supernatural experience, but instead was taught by a wise person. If a wise person says something (and his person is renowned for his/her wisdom) then it is far more believeable for the many than if one person claims to have heard a voice speak from a rock.
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