2 Chronicles 9:1 kjv
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 9:1 nkjv
Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test Solomon with hard questions, having a very great retinue, camels that bore spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart.
2 Chronicles 9:1 niv
When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. Arriving with a very great caravan?with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones?she came to Solomon and talked with him about all she had on her mind.
2 Chronicles 9:1 esv
Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions, having a very great retinue and camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind.
2 Chronicles 9:1 nlt
When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. She arrived with a large group of attendants and a great caravan of camels loaded with spices, large quantities of gold, and precious jewels. When she met with Solomon, she talked with him about everything she had on her mind.
2 Chronicles 9 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 10:1 | Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord... | Parallel account of her visit to Solomon. |
| 1 Ki 4:29-31 | God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much... wiser than all men... | Solomon's renowned wisdom, source of his fame. |
| Mt 12:42 | The queen of the South will rise up... and condemn this generation, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon... | Jesus referencing her, highlighting seeking wisdom. |
| Lk 11:31 | The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them... to hear the wisdom of Solomon... | Jesus again uses her as an example of true seeking. |
| 2 Chr 1:11-12 | God said to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart... I will give you wisdom and knowledge; and riches and wealth and honor...” | God's promise to Solomon for wisdom and blessings. |
| Prov 2:6 | For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding... | God is the source of all true wisdom. |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God... | Encourages believers to seek wisdom from God. |
| Prov 25:2 | It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. | Explains the nature of deep inquiry by kings. |
| Josh 9:9 | We have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the Lord your God. | Others hearing about Israel's God from afar. |
| Isa 60:3 | Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. | Prophecy of nations seeking Israel's wisdom/God. |
| Ps 72:10-11 | May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! | Prophetic vision of kings (incl. Sheba) bringing tribute. |
| Job 28:12 | But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? | Underlines the value and rarity of true wisdom. |
| Jer 49:7 | Is wisdom no more in Teman? Has counsel perished from the discerning? | Highlights wisdom as a prized national trait. |
| Prov 1:5 | Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance... | Value of receiving instruction for the wise. |
| Ps 49:4 | I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will open my riddle on the lyre. | Reference to the use of riddles in wisdom literature. |
| Dan 2:20 | Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might! | God's absolute ownership of wisdom and power. |
| 2 Chr 8:17 | Then Solomon went to Ezion-Geber and to Eloth on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom. | Proximity and access for Queen of Sheba's travel. |
| Isa 66:19 | I will set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations... who have not heard my fame or seen my glory... | God's fame spreading to distant nations. |
| Deut 13:3 | For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart... | Concept of 'testing' to prove conviction or truth. |
| 1 Jn 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God... | General principle of testing or discerning truth. |
| Pr 18:15 | An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. | Describes the active pursuit of wisdom. |
2 Chronicles 9 verses
2 Chronicles 9 1 Meaning
The verse describes the arrival of the Queen of Sheba in Jerusalem after hearing widespread reports of King Solomon's fame, specifically regarding his God-given wisdom and unparalleled prosperity. Her purpose in visiting was to scrutinize and evaluate the extent of Solomon's wisdom through challenging intellectual inquiries and complex, perplexing questions, intending to verify the remarkable tales she had heard.
2 Chronicles 9 1 Context
2 Chronicles chapter 9 describes the peak of King Solomon's reign, emphasizing his extraordinary wealth, international recognition, and especially his divine wisdom, which was unmatched by any king before or after him. This verse opens the narrative of the Queen of Sheba's pivotal visit, which serves as a global attestation to Solomon's God-given splendor. Coming immediately after sections detailing his immense building projects, numerous chariots, and accumulation of gold and silver (2 Chr 8:17-18, 2 Chr 9:13-28), her visit confirms the pervasive report of his fame reaching the distant corners of the known world. Historically, this visit highlights the diplomatic and economic interactions between ancient kingdoms, where rulers exchanged gifts, tested knowledge, and solidified alliances. Culturally, it underscores the value placed on wisdom and discerning leadership in the ancient Near East, with "hard questions" serving as intellectual challenges or inquiries into state secrets and governance.
2 Chronicles 9 1 Word analysis
- Now: Introduces a new development, often a significant event.
- when: Signals the timing, the catalyst for the subsequent action.
- the queen of Sheba: (Hebrew: מַלְכַּת שְׁבָא, Malkat Sheba). "Sheba" was a powerful ancient kingdom, likely in modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia, known for its trade in spices, gold, and precious stones. The "queen" indicates a sovereign ruler, demonstrating the high international standing and influence Solomon achieved. Her title emphasizes her royal authority and the significance of her journey.
- heard: (Hebrew: שָׁמַע, shama') This word means more than simply 'heard sounds.' It implies 'perceived,' 'understood,' 'paid attention to,' or 'acted upon what was heard.' The reports about Solomon were not just rumors but information that provoked a deliberate response.
- of the fame: (Hebrew: שֵׁמַע, shema' - report, rumor, renown, fame). Refers to the widespread and astonishing accounts of Solomon's wisdom, wealth, and grand achievements that had reached far beyond Israel's borders. It indicates the quality of the reports and the reputation they had built for him.
- of Solomon: King Solomon, David's son, known pre-eminently for the wisdom God granted him (1 Ki 3:12, 2 Chr 1:12) and the resultant unprecedented prosperity of his kingdom.
- she came: Implies a purposeful, significant journey undertaken by a ruler, indicating her strong motivation and conviction about the reports.
- to Jerusalem: The capital of Solomon's kingdom, the city of the Temple, and the center of Israel's wealth and administration.
- to test: (Hebrew: נָסָה, nasa - to test, to try, to prove, to assay, to examine). This isn't necessarily a hostile act, but rather an intent to verify the truth and depth of Solomon's wisdom through direct examination, similar to assaying metal for purity. She aimed to assess if his wisdom was truly as profound as reported.
- Solomon: The subject of her investigation.
- with hard questions: (Hebrew: חִידָה, ḥîḏâ - riddle, perplexing saying, dark or obscure speech). These were not trivial queries but profound intellectual challenges, perhaps involving governance, philosophy, or ethical dilemmas, intended to reveal the full extent of his insight and knowledge. This reflects an ancient tradition where rulers or sages exchanged difficult inquiries to prove their intellect.
- "Queen of Sheba... fame of Solomon": Highlights the international recognition of Solomon's wisdom and glory, emphasizing that God's blessings on His king had become globally renowned, fulfilling earlier promises and covenant blessings.
- "heard of the fame... came to Jerusalem": Shows the power of a divine reputation. The Queen undertook a long and arduous journey not just for curiosity, but driven by the persuasive evidence of Solomon's extraordinary fame. It suggests a compelling reputation that transcends geographical barriers.
- "to test Solomon with hard questions": This phrase reveals the Queen's intent. She was a discerning ruler, not easily swayed by mere rumors. Her purpose was to ascertain the truth of the reports firsthand, engaging in a trial of wits, indicating a quest for truth and understanding, not just sightseeing.
2 Chronicles 9 1 Bonus section
The visit of the Queen of Sheba is often considered a significant historical marker for the extensive diplomatic and economic reach of the Solomonic kingdom. While "hard questions" might imply riddles, some scholars suggest they could also have included complex geopolitical issues, trade dilemmas, or even philosophical/theological inquiries that she hoped Solomon's divinely inspired wisdom could resolve. The Bible often portrays God's people (Israel, and later the church) as a light to the nations, and this narrative explicitly shows a ruler from a distant land drawn by the manifestation of God's presence and wisdom through His anointed king. Her quest for wisdom highlights humanity's innate desire for deeper understanding, a desire that God is able to fulfill through His revealed truth. The story indirectly foreshadows the eventual ingathering of nations to worship the one true God, drawn by the greater wisdom of Christ (Mt 12:42).
2 Chronicles 9 1 Commentary
2 Chronicles 9:1 serves as a pivotal narrative point, illustrating the magnificent reach and profound impact of God's blessing on Solomon's reign. The Queen of Sheba's journey was not a casual visit but a determined quest driven by an unshakeable international report of Solomon's unparalleled wisdom and wealth, which ultimately testified to the greatness of Israel's God. Her "testing" of Solomon with "hard questions" reflects a common practice among ancient Near Eastern rulers, demonstrating an intellectual challenge and a diplomatic exploration of his famed abilities. This was her discerning way to authenticate the astonishing claims, proving his wisdom wasn't just showmanship but profound, divinely-granted insight that held up under scrutiny. The Chronicler emphasizes that this international acknowledgment, even by a foreign monarch, was a fulfillment of God's promise to make Solomon renowned, signaling Israel's unique status among nations. It further provides a pre-echo of the future glory of God's kingdom drawing nations to Jerusalem.
- Example: This story serves as an example that true wisdom, derived from God, will inevitably draw recognition, much like a beacon that cannot be hidden. It shows how one's reputation can precede them and open doors.