2 Chronicles 9:1-12

2 Chronicles 9:1–12 (NIV)✞: The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon

Passage

In this passage the author(s) continue in the story of the reign of Solomon, and talk about the famous visit from the Queen of Sheba. The ESV Study Bible (which I’ll quote from later) tells me that Sheba (or Saba) was where the modern state of Yemen is located, meaning that Israel and Sheba/Saba were at opposite ends of the Red Sea. (From the map I’m using, Tanis was almost in Israel’s way, but there was a narrow inlet from the Red Sea that would reach Israel – of course, I don’t know how accurate a map from 946B.C. is…)

Regardless, the queen comes to Israel to visit Solomon “to test him with hard questions” (v1✞). She brings a lot of gifts for him—spices, gold, and precious stones—though verse 12✞ tells us that she actually left with more than she came with. (I think it’s left as an exercise for the reader to determine whether this just means wisdom or also includes material wealth.)

As she sees all of Solomon’s wealth, she is “overwhelmed” (v4✞):

⁵ She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. ⁶ But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard. ⁷ How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! ⁸ Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the LORD your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.”

2 Chronicles 9:5–8 (NIV)✞

In this midst of all of this (which I’ve told completely out of order from how it was written), we’re parenthetically reminded in verses 10–11✞ about the gold that King Hiram is delivering from Ophir (which was mentioned in the last chapter). We’re also told that Solomon uses something called “algumwood” to make steps for the Temple (as well as for the palace), and to make harps and lyres for the musicians, the likes of which had never been seen before. If you’re not sure what “algumwood” is never fear – a footnote explains that this is “Probably a variant of almugwood,” which… is still not helpful. But a quick internet search says that it’s probably a variety of sandalwood.

Thoughts

From time to time I remind myself that the book of Chronicles was written for God’s post-exilic people – that is, His people after the exiles to Assyria and then Babylon, as they—or at least some of them—are returning to the land He had originally given them. As such, let’s look at the ESV Study Bible summary of this passage:

2 Chron. 9:1–9, 12 This section closely follows 1 Kings 10:1–13. Sheba, or Saba, corresponds roughly to modern Yemen and was a mercantile kingdom that traded in luxury goods from East Africa and India. The queen’s visit may have had commercial trade purposes (see 2 Chron. 9:1, 9) prompted by Solomon’s naval activities in the south of the Red Sea, but her visit is presented primarily as a quest for wisdom (vv. 1, 6). Solomon is acknowledged as excelling in both wisdom and wealth (see 1:12). The Gentile queen recognizes that Solomon’s greatness is from Yahweh (9:8; see 2:12) and that Solomon sits on God’s throne as his king (cf. 1 Kings 10:9, “the throne of Israel”). For the Chronicler, the Davidic kingdom is the earthly expression of God’s eternal kingdom (see 1 Chron. 17:14; 28:5; 2 Chron. 13:8). Recognition (esp. from a Gentile monarch) that God was the actual King of Israel could only encourage the postexilic community, when no descendant of David was on the throne.

ESV Study Bible