2 Chronicles 9
BSB1 Now 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. So she came to Solomon and spoke with him about all that was on her mind. 2 And Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too difficult for him to explain. 3 When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built, 4 the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants and cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away. 5 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your words and wisdom is true. 6 But 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. 7 How blessed are your men! How blessed are these servants of yours who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! 8 Blessed 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." 9 Then 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. 11 The 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.) 12 King 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. 13 The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents, 14 not including the revenue from the merchants and traders. And all the Arabian kings and governors of the land also brought gold and silver to Solomon. 15 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 small shields of hammered gold; three hundred shekels of gold went into each shield. And the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon. 17 Additionally, the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold. 18 The throne had six steps, and a footstool of gold was attached to it. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest. 19 Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like this had ever been made for any kingdom. 20 All King Solomon’s drinking cups were gold, and all the utensils of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. There was no silver, because it was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon. 21 For the king had the ships of Tarshish that went with Hiram’s servants, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. 22 So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 23 All the kings of the earth sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart. 24 Year after year, each visitor would bring his tribute: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules. 25 Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, and 12,000 horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. 26 He reigned over all the kings from the Euphrates 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 cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills. 28 Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from all the lands. 29 As for the rest of the acts of Solomon, from beginning to end, are they not written in the Records of Nathan the Prophet, in the Prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the Visions of Iddo the Seer concerning Jeroboam son of Nebat? 30 Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. 31 And Solomon rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David. And his son Rehoboam reigned in his place.
Study Notes — 2 Chronicles 9
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from 2 Chronicles 9
- Themes from 2 Chronicles 9
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on 2 Chronicles 9
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
2 Chronicles 9 begins with the Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon, where she tests his wisdom with difficult questions and is amazed by his answers (2 Chronicles 9:1-2). The Queen is also impressed by the wealth and splendor of Solomon's kingdom, and she praises the Lord for blessing Solomon (2 Chronicles 9:5-8). Solomon and the Queen exchange gifts, and the Queen returns to her own land (2 Chronicles 9:10-12). The chapter concludes with a description of Solomon's wealth and wisdom, highlighting his greatness as a king (2 Chronicles 9:13-28).
Context for the Chapter
2 Chronicles 9 is part of the larger narrative of the divided kingdom, following the reign of King Solomon. This chapter serves as a culmination of the promises made to David, highlighting the greatness of Solomon's kingdom and the fulfillment of God's blessings. The chapter also foreshadows the coming of Christ, who will be the true King of kings and the embodiment of God's wisdom.
Heart Application
As we read about the wisdom and wealth of Solomon, we are reminded of the importance of seeking wisdom and recognizing the blessings of God in our lives. We should strive to be like the Queen of Sheba, seeking to understand and recognize the wisdom and greatness of God, and giving praise and thanks for the blessings we receive.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
This chapter tells the story of the Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon, where she is amazed by his wisdom and wealth. The Queen's visit serves as a testament to Solomon's greatness and the glory of God. As we read this chapter, we are reminded of the importance of seeking wisdom and recognizing the blessings of God in our lives, as seen in 2 Chronicles 9:1-8.
Voices from the Church
“The Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon is a type of the Gentiles coming to worship Christ, who is the true King of kings.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The wisdom of Solomon is a gift from God, and we should strive to recognize and praise God for the blessings we receive.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Queen of Sheba's Visit (2 Chronicles 9:1-12) — The Queen of Sheba comes to visit King Solomon, testing his wisdom with difficult questions and being amazed by his answers.
- The Exchange of Gifts (2 Chronicles 9:10-12) — The Queen and Solomon exchange gifts, highlighting their mutual respect and admiration for each other.
- Solomon's Wealth and Wisdom (2 Chronicles 9:13-28) — The chapter concludes with a description of Solomon's wealth and wisdom, emphasizing his greatness as a king.
- The Fulfillment of Promises (2 Chronicles 9:1-9) — The chapter highlights the fulfillment of the promises made to David, emphasizing God's faithfulness and blessing on Solomon's reign.
- The Recognition of God's Glory (2 Chronicles 9:5-8) — The Queen's recognition of Solomon's wisdom serves as a testament to the glory of God, highlighting the importance of seeking wisdom and recognizing God's blessings.
Core Doctrines
- The Doctrine of Wisdom
- This chapter teaches that true wisdom comes from God, and that we should strive to recognize and praise God for the blessings we receive.
- The Doctrine of God's Sovereignty
- The chapter highlights God's sovereignty and faithfulness, emphasizing the fulfillment of the promises made to David and the establishment of Solomon's kingdom.
- The Doctrine of Christ's Preeminence
- The wisdom of Solomon foreshadows the wisdom of Christ, who is the true source of all wisdom and the embodiment of God's glory.
- The Doctrine of Gratitude
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of gratitude and praise, as seen in the Queen's recognition of Solomon's wisdom and the blessings of God.
Lessons from 2 Chronicles 9
- The Importance of Seeking Wisdom — The Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon teaches us the importance of seeking wisdom and recognizing the blessings of God in our lives.
- The Value of Mutual Respect and Admiration — The exchange of gifts between Solomon and the Queen of Sheba highlights the value of mutual respect and admiration in our relationships with others.
- The Fulfillment of God's Promises — The chapter teaches us about the fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of Solomon's kingdom, emphasizing God's faithfulness and sovereignty.
- The Preeminence of Christ — The wisdom of Solomon foreshadows the wisdom of Christ, who is the true source of all wisdom and the embodiment of God's glory.
- The Importance of Gratitude and Praise — The chapter emphasizes the importance of gratitude and praise, as seen in the Queen's recognition of Solomon's wisdom and the blessings of God.
Themes from 2 Chronicles 9
- The Theme of Wisdom — The chapter highlights the importance of seeking wisdom and recognizing the blessings of God in our lives.
- The Theme of God's Sovereignty — The chapter teaches us about God's sovereignty and faithfulness, emphasizing the fulfillment of the promises made to David and the establishment of Solomon's kingdom.
- The Theme of Christ's Preeminence — The wisdom of Solomon foreshadows the wisdom of Christ, who is the true source of all wisdom and the embodiment of God's glory.
- The Theme of Gratitude and Praise — The chapter emphasizes the importance of gratitude and praise, as seen in the Queen's recognition of Solomon's wisdom and the blessings of God.
- The Theme of Mutual Respect and Admiration — The exchange of gifts between Solomon and the Queen of Sheba highlights the value of mutual respect and admiration in our relationships with others.
Questions for Meditation
- What can we learn from the Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon about seeking wisdom and recognizing the blessings of God?
- How does the exchange of gifts between Solomon and the Queen of Sheba highlight their mutual respect and admiration for each other?
- What does the chapter teach us about the fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of Solomon's kingdom?
- How does the wisdom of Solomon foreshadow the wisdom of Christ, and what can we learn from this connection?
- What is the significance of the Queen's recognition of God's glory, and how can we apply this to our own lives?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Queen of Sheba's Visit (2 Chronicles 9:1-12)
| 9:1 | The Queen of Sheba hears about Solomon's wisdom and comes to test him with difficult questions. |
| 9:2 | The Queen is amazed by Solomon's wisdom and the wealth of his kingdom. |
| 9:3 | The Queen praises the Lord for blessing Solomon and giving him wisdom. |
| 9:4 | The Queen is impressed by the organization and administration of Solomon's kingdom. |
| 9:5 | The Queen recognizes that not even half of the greatness of Solomon's wisdom was told to her. |
| 9:6 | The Queen praises the Lord for giving Solomon such great wisdom and wealth. |
| 9:7 | The Queen blesses the Lord for giving Solomon a wise and understanding heart. |
| 9:8 | The Queen praises the Lord for giving Solomon such a great kingdom. |
| 9:9 | The Queen gives Solomon 120 talents of gold and a large quantity of spices and precious stones. |
| 9:10 | The servants of Solomon and the servants of the Queen exchange gifts. |
| 9:11 | The Queen returns to her own land, and Solomon continues to reign over Israel. |
| 9:12 | The Queen's visit serves as a testament to Solomon's greatness and the glory of God. |
2. Solomon's Wealth and Wisdom (2 Chronicles 9:13-28)
| 9:13 | Solomon's annual revenue is 666 talents of gold. |
| 9:14 | The kings of Arabia and the governors of the land bring gold and silver to Solomon. |
| 9:15 | Solomon makes 200 large shields of gold and 300 small shields of gold. |
| 9:16 | Solomon also makes a great throne of ivory and overlays it with gold. |
| 9:17 | The throne has six steps, and there is a footstool of gold attached to the throne. |
| 9:18 | The throne is made of ivory and is overlaid with the finest gold. |
| 9:19 | There are twelve lions standing on the six steps, one at each end of each step. |
| 9:20 | All the kings of the earth seek the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom. |
| 9:21 | The queen of Sheba gives Solomon 120 talents of gold and a large quantity of spices and precious stones. |
| 9:22 | Solomon's ships bring gold from Ophir and a large quantity of almug trees and precious stones. |
| 9:23 | King Solomon is greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. |
| 9:24 | All the earth seeks the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom. |
| 9:25 | Solomon has 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots and 12,000 horsemen. |
| 9:26 | Solomon rules over all the kings from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. |
| 9:27 | The king makes silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as the sycamore-fig trees that are in the Shephelah. |
| 9:28 | Solomon's horses are imported from Egypt and Kue, and the king's merchants buy them from Kue at the current price. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Queen of Sheba's motivation for visiting King Solomon?
The Queen of Sheba heard about Solomon's wisdom and came to test him with difficult questions, as seen in 2 Chronicles 9:1-2.
What was the significance of the exchange of gifts between Solomon and the Queen of Sheba?
The exchange of gifts highlighted the mutual respect and admiration between the two leaders, as seen in 2 Chronicles 9:10-12.
How does the wisdom of Solomon foreshadow the wisdom of Christ?
The wisdom of Solomon, as described in 2 Chronicles 9, foreshadows the wisdom of Christ, who is the true source of all wisdom and the embodiment of God's glory, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:24 and Colossians 2:3.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Chronicles 9:1 → 1 Kings 10:1 | The visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon is also described in 1 Kings 10:1, highlighting the importance of this event in the biblical narrative. |
| 2 | 2 Chronicles 9:5-6 → Psalm 72:10-11 | The Queen's recognition of Solomon's wisdom and the blessings of God is similar to the psalmist's description of the king's wisdom and the nations' recognition of his greatness in Psalm 72:10-11. |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 9:8 → Psalm 45:6-7 | The Queen's praise of the Lord for giving Solomon a wise and understanding heart is similar to the psalmist's praise of the king's wisdom and justice in Psalm 45:6-7. |
| 4 | 2 Chronicles 9:13-14 → 1 Kings 10:14-15 | The description of Solomon's wealth and wisdom in 2 Chronicles 9:13-14 is similar to the description in 1 Kings 10:14-15, highlighting the king's greatness and the blessings of God. |
| 5 | 2 Chronicles 9:15-16 → 1 Kings 10:16-17 | The description of Solomon's throne and the ivory and gold used in its construction is similar to the description in 1 Kings 10:16-17, highlighting the king's wealth and wisdom. |
| 6 | 2 Chronicles 9:20-21 → Matthew 12:42 | The Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon is mentioned in Matthew 12:42, where Jesus says that the Queen of the South will rise up at the judgment and condemn the generation that did not recognize his wisdom and authority. |
| 7 | 2 Chronicles 9:22-23 → Luke 11:31 | The description of Solomon's wisdom and the nations' recognition of his greatness is similar to Jesus' statement in Luke 11:31, where he says that the Queen of the South will rise up at the judgment and condemn the generation that did not recognize his wisdom and authority. |
| 8 | 2 Chronicles 9:25-26 → 1 Kings 4:26 | The description of Solomon's horses and chariots is similar to the description in 1 Kings 4:26, highlighting the king's wealth and military power. |
| 9 | 2 Chronicles 9:27-28 → Deuteronomy 17:14-15 | The description of Solomon's wealth and the abundance of silver and cedar in Jerusalem is similar to the description in Deuteronomy 17:14-15, where Moses warns the king against accumulating wealth and horses. |
| 10 | 2 Chronicles 9:1-12 → Revelation 21:24 | The Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon foreshadows the nations' recognition of Christ's wisdom and authority, as described in Revelation 21:24, where the nations will bring their glory and honor into the New Jerusalem. |
Sermons on 2 Chronicles 9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Rehoboam: If You Will Be Kind by Russell Kelfer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the downfall of a young king who failed to lead with kindness. The sermon is divided into four parts, starting with the end of an era and the |
|
Progress of Redemption #04 by David Shirley | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of the word of God and how it can change people's lives. The sermon takes place in Judea, a Persian province, around 430 BC. T |
|
Ii Chronicles 9:1 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith discusses the visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon, emphasizing her purpose in seeking wisdom and the resulting glory that came to God through Solomon's humility and |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on 2 Chronicles 9
In this chapter, we see the visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon, where she is amazed by his wisdom and wealth. This event serves as a testament to Solomon's greatness and the glory of God, highlighting the fulfillment of the promises made to David. The Queen's recognition of Solomon's wisdom and the blessings of God is a powerful example of the importance of seeking wisdom and recognizing God's sovereignty in our lives. As Matthew Henry notes, 'the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon is a type of the Gentiles coming to worship Christ, who is the true King of kings.' We are reminded of the importance of gratitude and praise, as seen in the Queen's recognition of Solomon's wisdom and the blessings of God. This chapter teaches us about the value of mutual respect and admiration, as seen in the exchange of gifts between Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Ultimately, the chapter highlights the preeminence of Christ, who is the true source of all wisdom and the embodiment of God's glory. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Queen's Recognition of Solomon's Wisdom
The Queen of Sheba is amazed by Solomon's wisdom, recognizing that it is a gift from God. This serves as a testament to the greatness of Solomon and the glory of God.
The Exchange of Gifts
The exchange of gifts between Solomon and the Queen of Sheba highlights the mutual respect and admiration between the two leaders.
The Fulfillment of Promises
The chapter emphasizes the fulfillment of the promises made to David, highlighting God's faithfulness and blessing on Solomon's reign.