2 Chronicles - Chapter 9

2 Chronicles 9.1 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. 2 Chronicles 9.2 And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not. 2 Chronicles 9.3 And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, 2 Chronicles 9.4 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her. 2 Chronicles 9.5 And she said to the king, It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom: 2 Chronicles 9.6 Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard. 2 Chronicles 9.7 Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom. 2 Chronicles 9.8 Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the LORD thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice. 2 Chronicles 9.9 And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon. 2 Chronicles 9.10 And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones. 2 Chronicles 9.11 And the king made of the algum trees terraces to the house of the LORD, and to the king’s palace, and harps and psalteries for singers: and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah. 2 Chronicles 9.12 And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which she had brought unto the king. So she turned, and went away to her own land, she and her servants. 2 Chronicles 9.13 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold; 2 Chronicles 9.14 Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon. 2 Chronicles 9.15 And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one target. 2 Chronicles 9.16 And three hundred shields made he of beaten gold: three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon. 2 Chronicles 9.17 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold. 2 Chronicles 9.18 And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays: 2 Chronicles 9.19 And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps. There was not the like made in any kingdom. 2 Chronicles 9.20 And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon. 2 Chronicles 9.21 For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks. 2 Chronicles 9.22 And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 2 Chronicles 9.23 And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart. 2 Chronicles 9.24 And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year. 2 Chronicles 9.25 And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 9.26 And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. 2 Chronicles 9.27 And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the low plains in abundance. 2 Chronicles 9.28 And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands. 2 Chronicles 9.29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat? 2 Chronicles 9.30 And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. 2 Chronicles 9.31 And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.

2 Chronicles : Chapter 9

The Wisdom and Glory of Solomon

Chapter 9 of the book of 2 Chronicles presents us with the height of the reign of Solomon, a king whose wisdom and wealth marked the history of Israel. This fascinating text invites us to reflect on the impact of wisdom on a nation and how it can shape the destiny of a people.

The Visit of the Queen of Sheba

This chapter recounts the visit of the Queen of Sheba, who, attracted by Solomon's fame, travels to Jerusalem to test him with difficult questions. Her arrival underscores Solomon's international reputation, who is perceived as a wise man and a king blessed by God. Israel's prosperity at this time is presented as a divine blessing, testifying to the fulfillment of God's promises to his people.

Increased Prestige

Solomon's fame attracted leaders from around the world, thus increasing Israel's prestige. This chapter concludes by highlighting the unique and exceptional nature of Solomon's reign, which is an example of how wisdom can enrich a nation.

Five Correlated Biblical Passages

To enrich our understanding of this glorious chapter, let us consider five biblical passages that resonate with its central themes:

1. 1 Kings 10:1-13

"When the Queen of Sheba heard of the fame Solomon had achieved through the name of the Lord, she went to Jerusalem to test him with difficult questions. [...] Then she said to the king, 'All that I heard in my own country about your accomplishments and your wisdom was true.' [...]"

This parallel passage in 1 Kings provides additional details about the Queen of Sheba's visit, mentioned in 2 Chronicles 9, and reminds us of the importance of wisdom in leadership.

2. Matthew 12:42

"The queen of the south will rise up in judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now one greater than Solomon is here."

Jesus refers to the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon, using it as an example of the search for wisdom, thus illustrating the continuity of this quest throughout the ages.

3. Proverbs 2:6

"For the Lord is the giver of wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding."

This verse reminds us that Solomon's wisdom is of divine origin, emphasizing that all knowledge and understanding come from the Lord.

4. Ecclesiastes 2:4-11

"I have done great things: I have built houses and planted vineyards. [...] But when I considered all that my hands had wrought, I realized that it was all in vain; I was chasing the wind; there is no profit in anything done under the sun."

This reflection on Solomon in Ecclesiastes offers additional perspective on his accomplishments, prompting us to consider the true value of our efforts.

5. James 1:5

"If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God, who gives wisdom to all freely and willingly, and it will be given to you."

This verse echoes the theme of divine wisdom, central to the story of Solomon in 2 Chronicles 9, reminding us that wisdom is a gift we can ask of God.

Conclusion

Contemplating Solomon's reign and the wisdom that accompanied it, we are called to seek wisdom in our own lives. May we, like the Queen of Sheba, be drawn to divine wisdom and recognize God's hand in our lives and our nations.