2 Chronicles Chapter 9
1 When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to test Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great caravan, including camels that bore spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones. When she had come to Solomon, she talked with him about all that was in her heart.
2 Solomon answered all her questions. There wasn't anything hidden from Solomon which he didn't tell her.
3 When the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built,
4 the food of his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his ministers, their clothing, his cup bearers also, their clothing, and his ascent by which he went up to the LORD's house; there was no more spirit in her.
5 She said to the king, "It was a true report that I heard in my own land of your acts and of your wisdom.
6 However I didn't believe their words until I came, and my eyes had seen it; and behold half of the greatness of your wisdom wasn't told me. You exceed the fame that I heard!
7 Happy are your men, and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you, and hear your wisdom.
8 Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, to set you on his throne, to be king for the LORD your God; because your God loved Israel, to establish them forever. Therefore he made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness."
9 She gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great abundance, and precious stones. There was never before such spice as the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.
10 The servants of Huram and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, also brought algum trees and precious stones.
11 The king used algum tree wood to make terraces for the LORD's house and for the king's house, and harps and stringed instruments for the singers. There were none like these seen before in the land of Judah.
12 King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, in addition to that which she had brought to the king. So she turned, and went to her own land, she and her servants.
13 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold,
14 in addition to that which the traders and merchants brought. All the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.
15 King Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold. Six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one buckler.
16 He made three hundred shields of beaten gold. Three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. The king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
17 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.
18 There were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and armrests on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.
19 Twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other on the six steps. There was nothing like it made in any other kingdom.
20 All king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. Silver was not considered valuable in the days of Solomon.
21 For the king had ships that went to Tarshish with Huram's servants. Once every three years, the ships of Tarshish came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
22 So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
23 All the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
24 They each brought tribute, vessels of silver, vessels of gold, clothing, armour, spices, horses, and mules every year.
25 Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, that he stationed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
26 He ruled over all the kings from the River even to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt.
27 The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars to be as abundant as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland.
28 They brought horses for Solomon out of Egypt and out of all lands.
29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, aren't they written in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?
30 Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.
31 Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in his father David's city: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.
Footnotes
- Verse 4 (no more spirit in her)
- or, she was breathless.
- Verse 9 (Talent)
- A talent is about 30 kilograms or 66 pounds or 965 Troy ounces, so 120 talents is about 3.6 metric tonnes
- Verse 10 (Algum)
- possibly Indian sandalwood, which has nice grain and a pleasant scent and is good for woodworking
- Verse 13 (Talent)
- A talent is about 30 kilograms or 66 pounds or 965 Troy ounces, so 666 talents is about 20 metric tonnes
- Verse 15 (Shekel)
- A shekel is about 10 grams or about 0.32 Troy ounces, so 600 shekels was about 6 kilograms or about 192 Troy ounces.
- Verse 16 (Shekel)
- A shekel is about 10 grams or about 0.32 Troy ounces, so 300 shekels was about 3 kilograms or about 96 Troy ounces.
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2 Chronicles Chapter 9 Guide
The story of the Queen of Sheba's coming is full of beauty, as it illustrates the true influence of kingship exercised under the government of the eternal King. The fame of Solomon's wisdom attracted her to his court, and she came principally to discuss with him the problems on her mind. "She came to prove Solomon with hard questions." He welcomed her with fine courtesy, and answered her questions to her satisfaction. The matter of principal interest is the effect produced on her by her visit. She wondered at all the magnificence as well as at the king's wisdom; but she saw clearly the reason of it all, and her highest praise was offered to that God through whom Solomon was enthroned, and in whose might and wisdom he was strong and wise.
This is as it should be with all who represent God to men by submission. When our greatness or our wisdom is the final impression we have failed. When our success is so manifested as to reveal the secret of our relationship to God; and, therefore, so as to transfer the praise of men from ourselves to Him, we are ful6lling the true function of life.
The chronicler ends the story of Solomon with an account of the wealth that he gathered, and the magnificence which characterized his reign. The account of the failure and fall is not given. The writer's purpose is served when he has made clear the relationship between loyalty to the Temple of God, with its worship, and success and greatness of king and people. The story immediately following, of disruption and degeneracy, is the result of the failure, and sets forth the same truth from the other side.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
2 Chronicles Chapter 9 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The queen of Sheba. -- (1-12)
- Solomon's riches, and his death. -- (13-31)
Verses 1-12
This history has been considered, 1Ki 10; yet because our Saviour has proposed it as an example in seeking after him, Mt 12:42, we must not pass it over without observing, that those who know the worth of true wisdom will grudge no pains or cost to obtain it. The queen of Sheba put herself to a great deal of trouble and expense to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and yet, learning from him to serve God, and do her duty, she thought herself well paid for her pains. Heavenly wisdom is that pearl of great price, for which, if we part with all, we make a good bargain.
Verses 13-31
The imports here mentioned, would show that prosperity drew the minds of Solomon and his subjects to the love of things curious and uncommon, though useless in themselves. True wisdom and happiness are always united together; but no such alliance exists between wealth and the enjoyment of the things of this life. Let us then acquaint ourselves with the Saviour, that we may find rest for our souls. Here is Solomon reigning in wealth and power, in ease and fulness, the like of which could never since be found; for the most known of the great princes of the earth were famed for their wars; whereas Solomon reigned forty years in profound peace. The promise was fulfilled, that God would give him riches and honour, such as no kings have had or shall have. The lustre wherein he appeared, was typical of the spiritual glory of the kingdom of the Messiah, and but a faint representation of His throne, which is above every throne. Here is Solomon dying, and leaving all his wealth and power to one who he knew would be a fool! Ec 2:18, 19. This was not only vanity, but vexation of spirit. Neither power, wealth, nor wisdom, can ward off or prepare for the stroke of death. But thanks be to God who giveth the victory to the true believer, even over this dreaded enemy, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.