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2 Chronicles 9 The Reign of King Hezekiah

1 The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon
When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. Arriving with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all she had on her mind.

2 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for him to explain to her.

3 When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built,

4 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed.

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 men 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.”

9 Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. There had never been such spices as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

10 (The men of Hiram and the men of Solomon brought gold from Ophir; they also brought algumwood and precious stones.

11 The king used the algumwood to make steps for the temple of the Lord and for the royal palace, and to make harps and lyres for the musicians. Nothing like them had ever been seen in Judah.)

12 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.

13 Solomon’s Splendor
The weight of the gold that Solomon received yearly was 666 talents,

14 not including the revenues brought in by merchants and traders. Also all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the land brought gold and silver to Solomon.

15 King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred bekas of hammered gold went into each shield.

16 He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold, with three hundred bekas of gold in each shield. The king put them in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon.

17 Then the king made a great throne inlaid with ivory and overlaid with pure gold.

18 The throne had six steps, and a footstool of gold was attached to it. On both sides of the seat were armrests, with a lion standing beside each of them.

19 Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like it had ever been made for any other kingdom.

20 All King Solomon’s goblets were gold, and all the household articles in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Nothing was made of silver, because silver was considered of little value in Solomon’s day.

21 The king had a fleet of trading ships manned by Hiram’s men. Once every three years it returned, carrying gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons.

22 King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth.

23 All the kings of the earth sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.

24 Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift—articles of silver and gold, and robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules.

25 Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem.

26 He ruled 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 cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills.

28 Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from all other countries.

29 Solomon’s Death
As for the other events of Solomon’s reign, 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 Then he rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king.

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Analysis of 2 Chronicles Chapter 9

2 Chronicles Chapter 9 is a compelling narrative that examines the peak of King Solomon’s reign, characterized by his immense wealth, wisdom, and international influence. This chapter encapsulates a pivotal moment where the Queen of Sheba visits Solomon, a detailed enumeration of his wealth, and a brief mention of his death and succession by his son Rehoboam. We will explore these events and their theological, historical, and symbolic significances in this analysis.

The Visit of the Queen of Sheba (Verses 1-12)

The chapter begins with a significant event: the visit of the Queen of Sheba. The Queen of Sheba’s journey to Jerusalem highlights Solomon’s renowned wisdom and international reputation. The biblical narrative stresses her purpose: she came “to test Solomon with hard questions” (2 Chronicles 9:1).

When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. Arriving with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all she had on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for him to explain to her.

This passage underscores Solomon’s God-given wisdom that transcends mere human intelligence. The Queen, symbolic of the worldly knowledge and power, seeks answers to profound existential and philosophical dilemmas. Her incredulity and subsequent praise for Solomon’s wisdom elaborate on how his God-endowed wisdom was both astounding and transformative.

Verses 3-4 describe the Queen’s reaction to Solomon’s wisdom, the splendor of his palace, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple.

When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers in their robes, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed.

Her amazement is significant because it portrays the visceral impact of Solomon’s kingdom’s wealth, wisdom, and religious devotion. The Queen of Sheba’s response prudently validates the fulfillment of God’s promises to Solomon, particularly in wisdom and prosperity.

In verses 5-8, the Queen expresses her admiration and understanding that Solomon’s achievements are a direct consequence of divine favor. She bestows praises to the God of Israel, acknowledging that it is the LORD who has delighted in Solomon and placed him on the throne to maintain justice and righteousness.

She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 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. How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 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.”

This worship-like recognition from a Gentile queen underscores a key theological point: the wisdom and prosperity of Israel under Solomon is an exemplar of God’s glory to the nations.

The mutual exchange of gifts detailed in verses 9-12 represents not just diplomatic goodwill but also a symbolic affirmation of Solomon’s status and the acceptance of the Israelite faith’s supremacy endorsed through Solomon’s God-given wisdom.

Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. There had never been such spices as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

The detailed description of gifts demonstrates early examples of international trade and diplomatic ties fostered by the prominence of Solomon’s reign.

Solomon’s Wealth and Splendor (Verses 13-28)

The subsequent verses (13-28) provide an exhaustive depiction of Solomon’s wealth. The chronicler meticulously details the annual gold revenue, Solomon’s extensive collection of shields, and the magnificence of his throne.

The weight of the gold that Solomon received yearly was 666 talents, not including the revenues brought in by merchants and traders. Also, all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the territories brought gold and silver to Solomon.

The depiction of Solomon’s wealth is highly symbolic, illustrating the fulfillment of God’s promises, as recorded in 1 Kings 3:13, where God vows to grant Solomon both wisdom and wealth that would surpass any other king. The annual inflow of gold, the vast numbers of shields and other opulent items made from it, signify not only material opulence but also divine blessing and favor:

King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of hammered gold went into each shield. He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold, with three hundred shekels of gold in each shield. The king put them in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon.

The grandeur of Solomon’s throne, described in verses 17-19, is unparalleled in its craftsmanship and luxury:

Then the king made a great throne covered with ivory and overlaid with pure gold. The throne had six steps, and a footstool of gold was attached to it. On both sides of the seat were armrests, with a lion standing beside each of them. Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like it had ever been made for any other kingdom.

This passage encapsulates the apex of Solomon’s rule, reflecting grandeur that testifies to divine favor. The symbolic use of lions, ivory, and gold heralds justice, purity, and royalty’s pristine qualities. Verses 20-21 further emphasize the unprecedented wealth, noting that silver was considered of little value in Solomon’s days due to the abundance of gold.

All King Solomon’s goblets were gold, and all the household articles in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Nothing was made of silver, because silver was considered of little value in Solomon’s day. The king had a fleet of trading ships manned by Hiram’s servants. Once every three years it returned, bringing gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons.

This opulence highlights the prosperity of Solomon’s reign, setting an unparalleled standard. The influx of exotic items emphasizes not only wealth but also international connections brought about by trade with distant lands.

Conclusion of Solomon’s Reign (Verses 29-31)

The chapter concludes with a brief summary of Solomon’s reign and his death. Verse 29 indicates that the rest of Solomon’s acts, from first to last, are recorded 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,” underscoring the documentary thoroughness in recording royal histories.

Verses 30 and 31 succinctly mention Solomon’s forty-year reign in Jerusalem and his succession by his son Rehoboam:

Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. Then he rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king.

These verses succinctly mark the end of an era, showcasing the theological implications of covenant continuity through the Davidic line. The mention of his son Rehoboam underscores the dynasty’s ongoing legacy despite the subsequent challenges Israel would face.

Theological and Symbolic Insights

This chapter, rich in historical narrative and symbolism, offers several key theological insights:

  • Divine Wisdom and Glory: Solomon’s wisdom, which astounds the Queen of Sheba, emphasizes the profound connection between divine gifts and their manifestation in human leaders’ lives. It elucidates the paradigm that true wisdom and splendor arise from God and reflect His glory.
  • International Recognition and Influence: The visit of the Queen of Sheba signifies that Solomon’s wisdom and Israel’s God-wrought prosperity have far-reaching implications. It symbolizes the spreading acknowledgment of Israel’s God among the nations, fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant that “all nations will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3).
  • Prosperity and Divine Favor: The extensive documentation of Solomon’s wealth illustrates the covenantal blessings promised to Israel. The lavish description serves as a testament to God’s faithfulness in bestowing material prosperity.

Conclusion

2 Chronicles Chapter 9 is a revealing chapter that encapsulates the high point of Solomon’s reign, characterized by unmatched wisdom, prosperity, and international prestige. The theological implications woven throughout the narrative underscore God’s faithfulness, the reflection of divine wisdom through human agents, and the broader missional impact of Israel’s blessings. Through detailed descriptions and symbolic narratives, the chapter not only chronicles historical events but also invites readers to contemplate the intertwining of divine providence, human leadership, and the unfolding of God’s redemptive narrative through Israel’s history.