The Queen-Mother (Gebirah):
For the stability and prosperity of everyone's house, the king's house had to function well, and it was in this point that the role of the Queen-mother proved essential. {TDM = the Dictionary of Mary}, Catholic Book Publishing Co.
Think about this for a moment: Solomon had 400 wives and 300 concubines, he did this to solidify the loyalty of the countries surrounding his kingdom, it was a political maneuver common to his time. If he wanted to put one of his wives on a throne next to him; if he wanted advice he could trust completely; if he would make himself vulnerable to anyone of those wives... which one would he choose? Put yourself in his awkward position for a moment. Each one of those women would be considered a potential enemy because they represent a country who would like nothing better than to take control of everything he had. Even if the wife didn't care about political matters, there was always common jealousy, because he chose one wife over another! Stuck between a rock and a hard place!
This is where the "Gebirah" or Queen-mother comes in. {TDM} As mother, she is a principle of stability. Often her son owes her his throne, which she has obtained for him through her political sense and astuteness. Often, too, she acts as the king's Regent. She understands the king and can say things to him which no one else could say. And the king can listen to her without misgivings since she has no interest except in him.
When Catholics call Mary "Queen of Heaven" we offend "some". Because they believe that we are taking away from the authority of Jesus and giving this place of honor meant only for God to the Blessed Mother. They think that we are saying, just as Jesus is the "King" of heaven - Mary (as His equal) is the "Queen of heaven"!
The Blessed Mother and Jesus are never equal!
As Catholics we believe that Mary cooperated with Jesus in the Redemption of mankind, but she is not His equal. Just as a man and a woman, (Adam and Eve), cooperated in leading the world to perdition, so the man-God, (the new Adam) Jesus, and a woman, (the new Eve) Mary, cooperated with their full assent to the wishes of God in bringing Salvation to mankind! Remember, the New Covenant (Testament), is a fulfillment of the Old Covenant (Testament). July/Aug '97, "Mission to Mission to Catholics", by Peter Hofmann.
Gebirah was the mother of the Davidic King throughout the Israelite monarchy. Whenever there was a king, the throne at his (right), [1 Kings 2:19] side and a magnificent crown were reserved for his mother, who served in a position of authority and great intercessory power for the people.
For more read: 1 Kings 2:12-21, Jer. 13:18,1 Kings 15:30, 2 Kings 11:3.
[ME) In (1 Kings 2:19) we see a prefiguring of the Queen of Heaven! "Then Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah, [This prefigures the intercessory prayer of The Queen of Heaven] and the King stood up to meet her and paid her homage. Then he sat down upon his throne, and a throne was provided for the King's mother, who sat at his right."[TR] The prophets had ample opportunity to denounce this tradition, but they did nothing of the sort, because the role of the Queen in no way diminished the majesty of the King. They prophesied of an expected Messiah who was to restore the Davidic Kingdom and reestablish his throne. [TR] Christ the King's reign is not an earthly one, but a heavenly one. Thus, the new queen mother intercedes not in political matters, but in spiritual ones.
Under the New Covenant, in [John 2:1-11] at the "Wedding Feast of Cana" we have the Blessed Mother's intercession, (which was the first miracle of Jesus), and her admonition; "do whatever he tells you."
Bibliography:
(TDM) = Dictionary of Mary
[TR] = This Rock