2 Chronicles 9:1-12
Queen of Sheba Hears Solomon's Wisdom
1Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon, she came to test him with difficult questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke with him about all that was on her mind.
2And Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too difficult for him to explain.
3When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built,
4the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, the attire of his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.
5She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your words and wisdom is true.
6But I did not believe the reports until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not half of the greatness of your wisdom was told to me. You have far exceeded the report I heard.
7How blessed are your men! How blessed are these servants of yours who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom!
8Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you to set you on His throne to be king for the LORD your God. Because your God loved Israel enough to establish them forever, He has made you king over them to carry out justice and righteousness.”
9Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. There had never been such spices as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
10(The servants of Hiram and of Solomon who brought gold from Ophir also brought algum wood and precious stones.
11The king made the algum wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had anything like them been seen in the land of Judah.)
12King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired—whatever she asked—far more than she had brought the king. Then she left and returned to her own country, along with her servants.
Berean Standard Bible
The queen of Sheba hears about Solomon's fame and comes to Jerusalem with a large caravan carrying spices, gold, and precious stones. She comes to test him with difficult questions and speaks with him about everything on her mind.
Solomon answers all her questions. She sees his wisdom, palace, food, servants, attendants, cupbearers, and burnt offerings at the house of the LORD. The organized life of the kingdom gives visible form to the wisdom she had heard about.
The queen says the report was true but had not told half the greatness of what she now sees. She blesses the LORD for delighting in Solomon and placing him on the throne to carry out justice and righteousness for Israel. Her praise is directed beyond the king to the God who established him.
She gives Solomon gold, spices, and precious stones, and he gives her everything she desires, far more than she brought. She returns home with her servants. The meeting is marked by generosity and admiration, but the later account of Solomon's wealth will invite the reader to assess whether abundance remains accountable.
Questions
1 Why does the queen visit Solomon?
AnswerShe visits because she has heard of Solomon's fame and wants to test him with difficult questions.
2 What does she observe?
AnswerShe observes Solomon's wisdom, palace, food, servants, attendants, cupbearers, and worship at the temple.
3 Whom does she bless?
AnswerShe blesses the LORD for delighting in Solomon and placing him on the throne to administer justice.
4 What does Solomon give her?
AnswerSolomon gives her everything she desires, far more than the gifts she brought to Jerusalem.
What This Means for Us
The visitor's admiration is not limited to polished speech. She notices whether wisdom is visible in justice, worship, leadership, and the treatment of people.
Welcome honest questions about your household's life. Let outsiders notice real faithfulness rather than a presentation designed only to impress them, and direct praise toward God instead of hoarding it.
Prayer
Lord, make our wisdom visible in justice, generosity, and faithful worship. Give us humility to welcome honest questions, and help us receive admiration without forgetting who gives every good gift. Amen.