2 Chronicles 9

In this chapter, the Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to test his wisdom, bringing gifts of great wealth. The grandeur of Solomon's reign and the extent of his wisdom are described, along with the wealth he accumulated. The chapter also records his death, marking the end of his reign and the succession of his son, Rehoboam.

2 Chronicles 9:1-5 (NKJV)
1 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 So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for Solomon that he could not explain it to her.
3 And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built,
4 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers and their apparel, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her.
5 Then she said to the king: “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom.

The Queen of Sheba, hearing of Solomon's extraordinary fame and wisdom, travels to Jerusalem to see for herself. She arrives with an impressive caravan, bringing gifts of great wealth. Solomon answers all her questions with ease, displaying wisdom beyond her expectations. Upon witnessing his wisdom and the magnificence of his palace, servants, and the temple, she is overwhelmed. Her reaction shows that Solomon's reputation did not exaggerate his greatness but fell short of the reality.

2 Chronicles 9:6-9 (NKJV)
6 However I did not believe their words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed, the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told me. You exceed the fame of which 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, setting you on His throne to be king for the Lord your God! Because your God has loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness.
9 And she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great abundance, and precious stones. There never were any spices such as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

The Queen of Sheba admits that she had not believed the reports of Solomon’s greatness until she saw it firsthand. She acknowledges that the reality surpasses all she had heard. She praises Solomon's servants for being blessed to continually hear his wisdom and offers praise to God for giving Israel such a wise and righteous king. As a gesture of respect and gratitude, she gives Solomon extravagant gifts of gold, spices, and precious stones, surpassing any ever seen before.

2 Chronicles 9:10-12 (NKJV)
10 Also, the servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, brought algum wood and precious stones.
11 And the king made walkways of the algum wood for the house of the Lord and for the king's house, also harps and stringed instruments for singers; and there were none such as these seen before in the land of Judah.
12 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.

Solomon's trade networks, including the alliance with Hiram, king of Tyre, contributed to his wealth, with valuable items such as gold and rare woods being imported. Solomon used this wealth to enhance the temple and his palace, making intricate walkways and musical instruments of unparalleled craftsmanship. In return for her gifts, Solomon gives the Queen of Sheba even more than she brought, demonstrating his generosity and the abundance of his wealth. She then returns to her land, impressed by what she witnessed.

2 Chronicles 9:13-16 (NKJV)
13 The weight of gold that came to Solomon yearly was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold,
14 besides what the traveling merchants and traders brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.
15 And King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of hammered gold went into each shield.
16 He also made three hundred shields of hammered gold; three hundred shekels of gold went into each shield. The king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.

Solomon's wealth was immense, with over six hundred talents of gold coming to him yearly, excluding the contributions of merchants, traders, and neighboring rulers. His wealth allowed him to commission grand projects, including large and small shields made of gold, which were more ceremonial than practical for warfare. These shields were displayed in the House of the Forest of Lebanon, highlighting his wealth and grandeur.

2 Chronicles 9:17-21 (NKJV)
17 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.
18 The throne had six steps, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne; there were armrests on either side of the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the armrests.
19 Twelve lions stood there, one on each side of the six steps; nothing like this had been made for any other kingdom.
20 All King Solomon's drinking vessels were gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Not one was silver, for this was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon.
21 For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Hiram. Once every three years the merchant ships came, bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys.

Solomon's throne, made of ivory and overlaid with gold, symbolized his supreme authority and wealth. The elaborate design of the throne, with lions and steps, showcased unparalleled craftsmanship, making it unique in the world. His wealth was so vast that silver was considered of little value. Solomon's fleets, in partnership with Hiram, brought valuable and exotic goods from distant lands, adding to the splendor and luxury of his reign.

2 Chronicles 9:22-24 (NKJV)
22 So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
23 And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
24 Each man brought his present: articles of silver and gold, garments, armor, spices, horses, and mules, at a set rate year by year.

Solomon’s wisdom and wealth exceeded that of all other kings, making him a figure of international renown. Rulers from across the world sought his counsel, recognizing the divine wisdom bestowed upon him. In turn, they brought valuable gifts as a token of respect and admiration, further increasing his wealth and influence. Solomon's reputation for wisdom was a key factor in his global prominence, attracting rulers to his court.

2 Chronicles 9:25-28 (NKJV)
25 Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.
26 So he reigned over all the kings from the River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt.
27 The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedar trees as abundant as the sycamores which are in the lowland.
28 And they brought horses to Solomon from Egypt and from all lands.

Solomon's military might was also impressive, with thousands of horses and chariots, which he strategically stationed throughout the land. His dominion extended from the Euphrates to the borders of Egypt, making him a powerful and influential ruler. The abundance of silver and cedar in Jerusalem reflected the prosperity of the nation under his reign, and his trade networks brought horses from Egypt and other lands, adding to his strength.

2 Chronicles 9:29-31 (NKJV)
29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, 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 Then Solomon rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.

The chapter concludes with a brief summary of Solomon's reign, noting that the details of his life are recorded in prophetic writings. Solomon ruled for forty years, a time of unprecedented wealth and wisdom for Israel. After his death, he was buried in the City of David, and his son Rehoboam succeeded him, marking the transition to a new era in Israel's history.