2 Chronicles 9 12

2 Chronicles 9:12 kjv

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 9:12 nkjv

Now King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all she desired, whatever she asked, much more than she had brought to the king. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.

2 Chronicles 9:12 niv

King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for; he gave her more than she had brought to him. Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country.

2 Chronicles 9:12 esv

And King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked besides what she had brought to the king. So she turned and went back to her own land with her servants.

2 Chronicles 9:12 nlt

King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba whatever she asked for ? gifts of greater value than the gifts she had given him. Then she and all her attendants returned to their own land.

2 Chronicles 9 verses

2 Chronicles 9 12 Meaning

King Solomon extended unparalleled generosity to the Queen of Sheba, granting her every desire and request, completely independent of the lavish gifts she had brought to him. After this extraordinary exchange, she departed and returned to her own kingdom with her servants, having witnessed and received from Solomon's unmatched wisdom and wealth.

2 Chronicles 9 12 Context

The preceding verses in 2 Chronicles 9 (specifically verses 1-11) detail the Queen of Sheba's pilgrimage to Jerusalem, motivated by Solomon's profound wisdom and renown. Upon witnessing his wisdom, the grandeur of his court, and the prosperity of his kingdom, she was overwhelmed, confessing that his actual glory surpassed all the reports she had heard. She attributed this glory to the Lord God, Who had chosen Solomon to reign for His good purpose. Verse 12 serves as the concluding act of this extraordinary international encounter, underscoring Solomon's generous reciprocation of gifts.

The broader chapter, 2 Chronicles 9, is dedicated to elaborating on Solomon's unparalleled wealth, wisdom, and the tribute he received from all corners of the earth. The Queen of Sheba's visit is a primary testament to this, illustrating how God fulfilled His promise to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 1:12 to give him riches, possessions, and honor in addition to wisdom. Historically, the account reflects a "golden age" for ancient Israel, a period of immense political and economic prosperity where Israel, under Solomon, stood as a beacon of power and wisdom to the surrounding nations. Such exchanges of lavish gifts between monarchs were common diplomatic practices, signifying peace, alliance, and mutual respect, with the greater king often bestowing more. Solomon's overwhelming generosity showcased Israel's superior prosperity and divine favor.

2 Chronicles 9 12 Word analysis

• And King Solomon: Identifies the primary agent, emphasizing his regal authority and position. His identity is central, as his wisdom and wealth were divine endowments.
• gave: The Hebrew verb is nathan (נָתַן), meaning to give, place, set, or bestow. It highlights a deliberate, authoritative act of presenting something, implying generosity and power. It's not a mere exchange but a bestowal.
• to the queen of Sheba: Identifies the prominent recipient, an international monarch from a distant, wealthy land (likely modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia). Her seeking out Solomon indicates his universal recognition, often seen as a precursor to Gentiles coming to Christ for truth.
• all that she desired: Hebrew ḥefets (חֵפֶץ) - meaning pleasure, delight, or wish. This points to her inner longings and wishes. Solomon fulfilled her deep, unspoken aspirations, not just explicit requests. This reflects an exceptional level of insight and capacity for provision.
• and asked for: Hebrew sha'al (שָׁאַל) - to ask, request, inquire. This refers to her explicit petitions. The combination "desired and asked for" indicates both unarticulated wishes and direct requests, all met.
• besides what she had brought to the king: This crucial phrase signifies the abundance and superabundance of Solomon's giving. His generosity was not a mere reciprocity or matching of gifts, but it was in addition to, and surpassing, what she presented. It highlights that his gifts were not transactional, but a demonstration of his boundless wealth, far beyond what any human gift could repay. This subtly elevates Solomon above all other rulers, implying divine favor. It also served as an indirect polemic against the idea that foreign rulers could equal Israel's king in resources or prestige.
• Then she turned: Indicates a definitive action of conclusion to her visit and preparations for departure.
• and went her way: Signifies the direction and commencement of her return journey.
• to her own land: Confirms her successful return to her dominion, having achieved her purpose in visiting.
• she and her servants: Specifies the full entourage, marking a complete diplomatic visit.

Words-group analysis:

• "And King Solomon gave... all that she desired and asked for": This entire phrase highlights Solomon's kingly capacity and overflowing generosity. It echoes divine generosity, as God gives richly (1 Tim 6:17) and grants the desires of those who seek Him (Ps 37:4). Solomon, having first asked God for wisdom (2 Chr 1:7-12), was abundantly blessed, enabling him to give abundantly in turn.
• "besides what she had brought to the king": This clause sets Solomon's gift apart. It wasn't an equal trade or payment; it was a magnanimous outpouring from a position of absolute superiority in wealth and favor. It implies a grace-like giving that is unearned and exceeds expectation. This parallels God's blessings that go far beyond what humanity deserves or can offer in return (Eph 3:20).
• "Then she turned and went her way to her own land": This signifies a peaceful and complete resolution to the visit. She leaves content, enriched not only materially but also by the profound wisdom she encountered. This harmonious conclusion validates Solomon's fame and God's blessings.

2 Chronicles 9 12 Bonus section

• The account of the Queen of Sheba's visit, concluded by this verse, solidified Solomon's reputation globally. It presented a visible, tangible example of God blessing His chosen king beyond measure, demonstrating the fruit of a kingdom operating under divine wisdom.
• Some rabbinic traditions elaborate on the gifts and knowledge exchanged, further enhancing the scale of the interaction implied in this concise verse. Though not canonical, these traditions reflect the perceived grandeur of the event.
• This verse contributes to the Old Testament concept of Israel being a "light to the nations," where the fame and blessings bestowed by God on Israel and its king drew distant peoples to witness God's glory and wisdom.
• The overwhelming nature of Solomon's gift points to the "overflowing cup" imagery seen in the Psalms (e.g., Ps 23:5), signifying divine blessing that cannot be contained by human measure.
• The historical significance of trade routes (like the incense route) is implicit; the Queen's journey would have used these well-established paths, connecting diverse cultures and economies.

2 Chronicles 9 12 Commentary

2 Chronicles 9:12 serves as the climactic conclusion to the Queen of Sheba's visit, a narrative that profoundly illustrates the extent of King Solomon's God-given wisdom and wealth. His act of giving "all that she desired and asked for" demonstrates an extraordinary generosity that surpassed conventional diplomatic exchanges. The addition "besides what she had brought to the king" emphasizes a crucial point: Solomon's giving was not merely a reciprocal gesture or a bartering of goods. It was an overflowing bestowal, signaling a wealth so vast and a favor so profound that it rendered her already substantial gifts relatively inconsequential in the exchange.

This verse confirms that the queen left utterly satisfied and enriched, carrying not only physical gifts but also the powerful testimony of Solomon's wisdom and, by extension, the glory of the God of Israel. Her departure "to her own land" marks a successful diplomatic encounter and signifies the spread of Israel's fame and divine glory to distant nations. Spiritually, this encounter is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of the Gentiles seeking and finding wisdom in Christ, who is "greater than Solomon" (Mt 12:42), receiving grace and provision that far exceeds any earthly offering or expectation. It is a picture of God's abundant generosity, channeled through His chosen king, validating the kingdom's prosperity and the efficacy of seeking divine wisdom above all else.