2 Chronicles 9 Study Notes: The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon
The queen of Sheba comes to test Solomon with hard questions, finds his wisdom greater than the reports, and praises the LORD for making him king to do justice. Kings from every land seek the wisdom God gave him, his wealth surpasses all others, and after forty years he dies and Rehoboam succeeds him.
General
True or False: The queen from Sheba gave Solomon rich gifts but went home without receiving anything from him in return (2 Chronicles 9:9, 12).
Answer: False
This is false. The queen gave Solomon a large amount of gold, spices and gems, and spices like hers had never been seen before (9:9). But Solomon in turn gave her everything she wanted and asked for, more than her own gifts to him, before she and her servants went back to her own land (9:12). A psalm of Solomon prays that Sheba’s kings would bring gifts to Israel’s king and that the king would receive gold from Sheba (Psalm 72:10, 72:15).
- 2 Chronicles 9:9 (BSB)“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.”The queen gives Solomon gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones.
- 2 Chronicles 9:12 (BSB)“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.”Solomon gives the queen all she desires, more than she brought.
- Psalm 72:10 (BSB)“May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.”The psalm of Solomon pictures the kings of Sheba bringing gifts to the king.
- Psalm 72:15 (BSB)“Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him; may they bless him all day long.”The same psalm prays that gold from Sheba would be given to the king.
Theological
True or False: The exchange of gifts was one-sided, with the queen giving to Solomon and receiving nothing from him (2 Chronicles 9:9, 12).
Answer: False
This is false. The queen presents gold, spices and gems, spices without equal (9:9), yet Solomon’s generosity exceeds hers: he grants her every desire, more than she brought (9:12). The scene matches the prayer of Psalm 72, headed as a psalm of Solomon, that Sheba’s kings would offer gifts to the king and that the king receive gold from Sheba (Psalm 72:10, 72:15).
- 2 Chronicles 9:9 (BSB)“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.”The queen gives Solomon gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones.
- 2 Chronicles 9:12 (BSB)“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.”Solomon gives the queen all she desires, more than she brought.
- Psalm 72:10 (BSB)“May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.”The psalm of Solomon pictures the kings of Sheba bringing gifts to the king.
- Psalm 72:15 (BSB)“Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him; may they bless him all day long.”The same psalm prays that gold from Sheba would be given to the king.
General
According to the queen, why had God made Solomon king over Israel (2 Chronicles 9:8)?
Answer: Because God loved Israel, so that he would do what is just
The queen traced Solomon’s kingship back to God’s love for His people: because God loved Israel and meant to make them secure for all time, He made Solomon their king to uphold justice and righteousness, that is, to do what is fair and right (9:8). Hiram had said the same thing, that the LORD made Solomon king because He loved His people (2:11). Justice and righteousness are what God’s own throne rests on (Psalm 89:14), and a psalm of Solomon prays that the king would be given God’s justice and righteousness to judge the people well (Psalm 72:1-2). The king’s office existed for the good of God’s people.
- 2 Chronicles 9:8 (BSB)“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.””The queen says God made Solomon king because He loved Israel, to carry out justice and righteousness.
- 2 Chronicles 2:11 (BSB)“Then Hiram king of Tyre wrote a letter in reply to Solomon: “Because the LORD loves His people, He has set you over them as king.””Hiram likewise said the LORD set Solomon as king because He loves His people.
- Psalm 89:14 (BSB)“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and faithfulness go before You.”Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s own throne, which the king was to reflect.
- Psalm 72:1-2 (BSB)“Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice.”The prayer for the king asks God to give him justice and righteousness to judge the people.
Theological
To what does the queen attribute Solomon’s kingship, and for what purpose (2 Chronicles 9:8)?
Answer: Because God loved Israel, so that he would do what is just
The queen grounds the Davidic kingship in God’s love for Israel and His purpose to make them secure for all time; the king’s task is to execute justice and righteousness (9:8). Hiram’s letter makes the same confession (2:11). The king mirrors the throne of God, whose foundation is righteousness and justice (Psalm 89:14), and Psalm 72, headed as a psalm of Solomon, asks that the king be endowed with God’s own justice for the sake of the afflicted (Psalm 72:1-2). Kingship is a stewardship for the people’s good, not a reward for the king.
- 2 Chronicles 9:8 (BSB)“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.””The queen says God made Solomon king because He loved Israel, to carry out justice and righteousness.
- 2 Chronicles 2:11 (BSB)“Then Hiram king of Tyre wrote a letter in reply to Solomon: “Because the LORD loves His people, He has set you over them as king.””Hiram likewise said the LORD set Solomon as king because He loves His people.
- Psalm 89:14 (BSB)“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and faithfulness go before You.”Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s own throne, which the king was to reflect.
- Psalm 72:1-2 (BSB)“Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice.”The prayer for the king asks God to give him justice and righteousness to judge the people.
General
True or False: After seeing Solomon’s wisdom and court for herself, the queen of Sheba said the reports she had heard at home had overstated his greatness (2 Chronicles 9:5-6).
Answer: False
This is false. Solomon’s wisdom, his palace, his table, his officials and servants in their clothing, and the offerings he burned at the LORD’s house left her overwhelmed (9:3-4). She told him the report she had heard back home was true; she had not believed it until she came and saw for herself, and she had not been told even half, since his wisdom went far beyond what she had heard (9:5-6). This was the wisdom God had granted him at Gibeon (1:12), and 1 Kings records that when Israel heard one of his judgments, they recognized God’s own wisdom at work in him (1 Kings 3:28).
- 2 Chronicles 9:3-4 (BSB)“When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built, the 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.”The queen sees Solomon’s wisdom, palace, court and burnt offerings, and is overwhelmed.
- 2 Chronicles 9:5-6 (BSB)“She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your words and wisdom is true. 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.”She says the report was true and that not half of his wisdom had been told her.
- 2 Chronicles 1:12 (BSB)“therefore wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will also give you riches and wealth and honor unlike anything given to the kings before you or after you.””God had promised Solomon wisdom along with riches and honor beyond other kings.
- 1 Kings 3:28 (BSB)“When all Israel heard of the judgment the king had given, they stood in awe of him, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.”Israel recognized that the wisdom of God was in Solomon to do justice.
Theological
True or False: Having seen Solomon’s court, the queen concluded that the reports she had heard had exaggerated his wisdom (2 Chronicles 9:5-6).
Answer: False
This is false. The queen’s firsthand observation of Solomon’s wisdom, household, court ceremony and temple offerings overwhelmed her (9:3-4). Far from finding the report inflated, she confessed it was true, that she had disbelieved it until she saw, and that not half had been told her, for his wisdom surpassed what she had heard (9:5-6). The scene shows the LORD’s promise at Gibeon kept (1:12); 1 Kings 3:28 likewise records that Israel recognized God’s wisdom in him for doing justice.
- 2 Chronicles 9:3-4 (BSB)“When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built, the 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.”The queen sees Solomon’s wisdom, palace, court and burnt offerings, and is overwhelmed.
- 2 Chronicles 9:5-6 (BSB)“She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your words and wisdom is true. 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.”She says the report was true and that not half of his wisdom had been told her.
- 2 Chronicles 1:12 (BSB)“therefore wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will also give you riches and wealth and honor unlike anything given to the kings before you or after you.””God had promised Solomon wisdom along with riches and honor beyond other kings.
- 1 Kings 3:28 (BSB)“When all Israel heard of the judgment the king had given, they stood in awe of him, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.”Israel recognized that the wisdom of God was in Solomon to do justice.
General
How does Jesus use the queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon in Matthew 12:42?
Answer: She came far for Solomon’s wisdom, and a greater One is here
The queen made a long journey just to hear Solomon’s wisdom (9:1-6). Jesus calls her the queen from the south and says she will stand up on judgment day and condemn that generation, because she journeyed from the farthest lands to listen to Solomon, and now Someone greater than Solomon was standing among them (Matthew 12:42; Luke 11:31). If she honored the wisdom God gave Solomon, how much more should people listen to Jesus, in whom every treasure of wisdom and of knowledge is hidden (Colossians 2:3).
- 2 Chronicles 9:1 (BSB)“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. And she came to Solomon and spoke with him about all that was on her mind.”The queen comes to Jerusalem because of Solomon’s fame, to test his wisdom.
- Matthew 12:42 (BSB)“The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.”Jesus says the queen came from the ends of the earth for Solomon’s wisdom, and One greater than Solomon is here.
- Luke 11:31 (BSB)“The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.”Luke records the same saying, confirming Jesus’ use of the queen’s visit.
- Colossians 2:3 (BSB)“in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom, the greater wisdom the queen’s journey points to.
- 1 Corinthians 1:30 (BSB)“It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.”Christ has become wisdom from God for those who are in Him.
Theological
What argument does Jesus draw from the queen of Sheba’s journey in Matthew 12:42?
Answer: She came far for Solomon’s wisdom, and a greater One is here
Jesus cites the queen as a Gentile witness who will condemn His unbelieving generation: she traveled from the most distant lands to listen to Solomon’s wisdom (9:1-6), yet Someone greater than Solomon stood among them (Matthew 12:42; Luke 11:31). The argument is from the lesser to the greater. Solomon’s God-given wisdom points beyond itself to Christ, in whom every treasure of wisdom and of knowledge is hidden (Colossians 2:3) and who has become wisdom from God for believers (1 Corinthians 1:30).
- 2 Chronicles 9:1 (BSB)“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. And she came to Solomon and spoke with him about all that was on her mind.”The queen comes to Jerusalem because of Solomon’s fame, to test his wisdom.
- Matthew 12:42 (BSB)“The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.”Jesus says the queen came from the ends of the earth for Solomon’s wisdom, and One greater than Solomon is here.
- Luke 11:31 (BSB)“The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.”Luke records the same saying, confirming Jesus’ use of the queen’s visit.
- Colossians 2:3 (BSB)“in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom, the greater wisdom the queen’s journey points to.
- 1 Corinthians 1:30 (BSB)“It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.”Christ has become wisdom from God for those who are in Him.
General
Solomon’s great riches described in chapter 9 fulfilled which earlier word (2 Chronicles 9:22, 27)?
Answer: God’s promise at Gibeon to add riches to wisdom
At Gibeon, Solomon asked for wisdom rather than riches, and God answered that He would give him wisdom and also riches, wealth and honor such as no king before or after him had (1:11-12). Chapter 9 shows God keeping that promise: Solomon was greater than every other ruler on earth in wealth and wisdom (9:22), and in Jerusalem silver became as ordinary as rocks, with cedar as plentiful as the sycamore trees of the lowlands (9:27). The wealth is presented as God’s particular gift to this king, keeping His word to him. Jesus later spoke of Solomon’s splendor, yet said God clothes the wildflowers more beautifully still (Matthew 6:29).
- 2 Chronicles 9:22 (BSB)“So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.”Solomon surpasses all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
- 2 Chronicles 9:27 (BSB)“The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills.”Silver and cedar become abundant in Jerusalem.
- 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 (BSB)“God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart instead of requesting riches or wealth or honor for yourself or death for your enemies—and since you have not even requested long life but have asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern My people over whom I have made you king— therefore wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will also give you riches and wealth and honor unlike anything given to the kings before you or after you.””God promised Solomon riches, wealth and honor along with the wisdom he asked for.
- Matthew 6:29 (BSB)“Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.”Jesus refers to Solomon’s glory as proverbial, yet surpassed by God’s clothing of the flowers.
Theological
Which prior word of the LORD is fulfilled in the account of Solomon’s wealth (2 Chronicles 9:22, 27)?
Answer: God’s promise at Gibeon to add riches to wisdom
The catalog of Solomon’s wealth culminates in his surpassing all kings in wealth and wisdom (9:22) and the abundance of silver and cedar in Jerusalem (9:27). This is the fulfillment of the LORD’s specific promise at Gibeon, where Solomon’s request for wisdom was answered with wisdom plus unparalleled riches and honor (1:11-12). The wealth is a particular gift tied to God’s word to this king, not a general principle. Jesus used Solomon’s proverbial glory as the high mark that God’s care for the lilies exceeds (Matthew 6:29).
- 2 Chronicles 9:22 (BSB)“So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.”Solomon surpasses all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
- 2 Chronicles 9:27 (BSB)“The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills.”Silver and cedar become abundant in Jerusalem.
- 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 (BSB)“God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart instead of requesting riches or wealth or honor for yourself or death for your enemies—and since you have not even requested long life but have asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern My people over whom I have made you king— therefore wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will also give you riches and wealth and honor unlike anything given to the kings before you or after you.””God promised Solomon riches, wealth and honor along with the wisdom he asked for.
- Matthew 6:29 (BSB)“Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.”Jesus refers to Solomon’s glory as proverbial, yet surpassed by God’s clothing of the flowers.
General
In her praise, whose throne did the queen say Solomon had been placed on (2 Chronicles 9:8)?
Answer: The LORD’s own throne, to reign as king on His behalf
The queen, a foreigner, ended her words by blessing the LORD, Solomon’s God, who took delight in him and put him on His own throne to reign as king on the LORD’s behalf (9:8). Chronicles describes Solomon’s kingship this way throughout: David said the LORD had chosen Solomon to reign over Israel from the LORD’s royal seat (1 Chronicles 28:5), and Solomon took his seat on the LORD’s throne in place of David (1 Chronicles 29:23). Israel’s king ruled for God; the kingdom belonged to the LORD. Hiram of Tyre, another foreign ruler, had also blessed the LORD for Solomon (2:11-12).
- 2 Chronicles 9:8 (BSB)“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.””The queen blesses the LORD for setting Solomon on His throne as king for the LORD.
- 1 Chronicles 28:5 (BSB)“And of all my sons—for the LORD has given me many sons—He has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.”David says the LORD chose Solomon to sit on the throne of the LORD’s kingdom.
- 1 Chronicles 29:23 (BSB)“So Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king in place of his father David. He prospered, and all Israel obeyed him.”Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD in place of David.
- 2 Chronicles 2:11-12 (BSB)“Then Hiram king of Tyre wrote a letter in reply to Solomon: “Because the LORD loves His people, He has set you over them as king.” And Hiram added: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who made the heavens and the earth! He has given King David a wise son with insight and understanding, who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal palace for himself.”Hiram, another foreign king, also blessed the LORD for giving Israel Solomon as king.
Theological
In the queen’s words of praise, whose throne does Solomon occupy (2 Chronicles 9:8)?
Answer: The LORD’s own throne, to reign as king on His behalf
The queen’s praise confesses that the LORD delighted in Solomon and placed him on His own throne to reign on the LORD’s behalf (9:8). This is Chronicles’ consistent theology of the Davidic throne: the kingdom is the LORD’s, and David’s son reigns as His vice-regent (1 Chronicles 28:5; 29:23). That a Gentile queen, like Hiram before her (2:11-12), blesses Israel’s God shows the nations recognizing the LORD through His chosen king.
- 2 Chronicles 9:8 (BSB)“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.””The queen blesses the LORD for setting Solomon on His throne as king for the LORD.
- 1 Chronicles 28:5 (BSB)“And of all my sons—for the LORD has given me many sons—He has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.”David says the LORD chose Solomon to sit on the throne of the LORD’s kingdom.
- 1 Chronicles 29:23 (BSB)“So Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king in place of his father David. He prospered, and all Israel obeyed him.”Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD in place of David.
- 2 Chronicles 2:11-12 (BSB)“Then Hiram king of Tyre wrote a letter in reply to Solomon: “Because the LORD loves His people, He has set you over them as king.” And Hiram added: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who made the heavens and the earth! He has given King David a wise son with insight and understanding, who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal palace for himself.”Hiram, another foreign king, also blessed the LORD for giving Israel Solomon as king.
General
Why did the queen of Sheba travel to Jerusalem, and how did Solomon respond (2 Chronicles 9:1-2)?
Answer: To put hard questions to him; he explained them all
News of Solomon’s fame reached the queen of Sheba, and she traveled to Jerusalem with a great caravan of camels loaded with spices, gold and gems to put him to the test with hard questions (9:1). She raised with him every matter she had been pondering, and not one of her questions was beyond his power to explain (9:2). That wisdom was a gift from God, granted when Solomon asked for the understanding he needed to rule God’s people (1:11-12). As Proverbs says, wisdom comes from the LORD (Proverbs 2:6).
- 2 Chronicles 9:1-2 (BSB)“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. And she came to Solomon and spoke with him about all that was on her mind. And Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too difficult for him to explain.”The queen comes to test Solomon with difficult questions, and he answers them all.
- 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 (BSB)“God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart instead of requesting riches or wealth or honor for yourself or death for your enemies—and since you have not even requested long life but have asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern My people over whom I have made you king— therefore wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will also give you riches and wealth and honor unlike anything given to the kings before you or after you.””God granted Solomon wisdom and knowledge because he asked for them to govern God’s people.
- Proverbs 2:6 (BSB)“For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”Wisdom is the LORD’s gift, which explains the source of Solomon’s answers.
Theological
What was the purpose of the queen of Sheba’s visit, and what was its outcome (2 Chronicles 9:1-2)?
Answer: To put hard questions to him; he explained them all
The queen of Sheba comes because of Solomon’s reputation, bearing rich gifts, intending to probe him with hard questions (9:1). She lays out all that is in her heart, and no question is too hard for him (9:2). The scene displays the fulfillment of the LORD’s answer at Gibeon, where He granted the wisdom Solomon requested for governing His people (1:11-12). Solomon’s wisdom is received, not self-generated: the LORD is its source (Proverbs 2:6).
- 2 Chronicles 9:1-2 (BSB)“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. And she came to Solomon and spoke with him about all that was on her mind. And Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too difficult for him to explain.”The queen comes to test Solomon with difficult questions, and he answers them all.
- 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 (BSB)“God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart instead of requesting riches or wealth or honor for yourself or death for your enemies—and since you have not even requested long life but have asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern My people over whom I have made you king— therefore wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will also give you riches and wealth and honor unlike anything given to the kings before you or after you.””God granted Solomon wisdom and knowledge because he asked for them to govern God’s people.
- Proverbs 2:6 (BSB)“For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”Wisdom is the LORD’s gift, which explains the source of Solomon’s answers.
General
How does chapter 9 bring Solomon’s story to a close (2 Chronicles 9:29-31)?
Answer: His acts are in prophets’ records; he died and Rehoboam ruled
The rest of Solomon’s acts are found in records that bear the names of the prophet Nathan, Ahijah from Shiloh, and Iddo the seer (a seer is another word for a prophet) (9:29), just as David’s acts are found in records bearing the names of Samuel, Nathan and Gad (1 Chronicles 29:29). After reigning over all Israel from Jerusalem for forty years, Solomon died and was laid to rest in David’s city, and Rehoboam his son became king after him (9:30-31). Ahijah’s name prepares for chapter 10, where the LORD fulfills the word He gave through Ahijah (10:15).
- 2 Chronicles 9:29-31 (BSB)“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? Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. And Solomon rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David. And his son Rehoboam reigned in his place.”Solomon’s acts are found in records named for prophets; he reigns forty years, dies, and Rehoboam succeeds him.
- 1 Chronicles 29:29 (BSB)“Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are indeed written in the Chronicles of Samuel the Seer, the Chronicles of Nathan the Prophet, and the Chronicles of Gad the Seer,”David’s acts were likewise found in records named for a seer and prophets.
- 2 Chronicles 10:15 (BSB)“So the king did not listen to the people, and indeed this turn of events was from God, in order that the LORD might fulfill the word that He had spoken through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat.”The next chapter shows the LORD fulfilling the word He spoke through Ahijah.
Theological
How does Chronicles conclude the account of Solomon’s reign (2 Chronicles 9:29-31)?
Answer: His acts are in prophets’ records; he died and Rehoboam ruled
The Solomon narrative closes with the standard regnal formula: his acts found in records bearing the names of the prophet Nathan, Ahijah of Shiloh and Iddo the seer (9:29), his forty-year reign over all Israel, his death and burial in David’s city, and Rehoboam’s accession (9:30-31). As with David, whose acts are found in records bearing the names of prophets and seers (1 Chronicles 29:29), the history is tied to prophetic witness. Mentioning Ahijah anticipates 10:15, where the LORD brings about the division to fulfill Ahijah’s word.
- 2 Chronicles 9:29-31 (BSB)“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? Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. And Solomon rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David. And his son Rehoboam reigned in his place.”Solomon’s acts are found in records named for prophets; he reigns forty years, dies, and Rehoboam succeeds him.
- 1 Chronicles 29:29 (BSB)“Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are indeed written in the Chronicles of Samuel the Seer, the Chronicles of Nathan the Prophet, and the Chronicles of Gad the Seer,”David’s acts were likewise found in records named for a seer and prophets.
- 2 Chronicles 10:15 (BSB)“So the king did not listen to the people, and indeed this turn of events was from God, in order that the LORD might fulfill the word that He had spoken through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat.”The next chapter shows the LORD fulfilling the word He spoke through Ahijah.
General
Why did kings from every land want to meet Solomon (2 Chronicles 9:23)?
Answer: To listen to the wisdom God had placed in him
Solomon outshone every other king on earth in wealth and in wisdom (9:22). Rulers from everywhere wanted to meet him to listen to the wisdom God Himself had placed within him, and year by year they brought tribute such as precious metals, garments, spices and animals (9:23-24). The verse points to God as the source of that wisdom, not Solomon’s own cleverness: wisdom is the LORD’s gift (Proverbs 2:6), Solomon received it because he asked God for it (1:11-12), and God still gives wisdom generously to anyone who asks Him (James 1:5).
- 2 Chronicles 9:22-23 (BSB)“So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. All the kings of the earth sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart.”Solomon surpasses all kings in riches and wisdom, and kings seek him to hear the wisdom God put in his heart.
- Proverbs 2:6 (BSB)“For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”The LORD is the source of wisdom, as 9:23 says of Solomon.
- 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 (BSB)“God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart instead of requesting riches or wealth or honor for yourself or death for your enemies—and since you have not even requested long life but have asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern My people over whom I have made you king— therefore wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will also give you riches and wealth and honor unlike anything given to the kings before you or after you.””God granted Solomon wisdom because he asked for it.
- James 1:5 (BSB)“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”God gives wisdom generously to anyone who asks Him.
Theological
What drew the world’s kings to seek a meeting with Solomon (2 Chronicles 9:23)?
Answer: To listen to the wisdom God had placed in him
Solomon’s preeminence in wealth and wisdom (9:22) draws the world’s rulers, but 9:23 locates the source explicitly: God had placed this wisdom within him. The tribute that follows (9:24) is the fruit of a divine gift, not human achievement. The LORD is the giver of wisdom (Proverbs 2:6); Solomon received it in answer to his request at Gibeon (1:11-12); and the same God gives wisdom generously to all who ask Him (James 1:5).
- 2 Chronicles 9:22-23 (BSB)“So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. All the kings of the earth sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart.”Solomon surpasses all kings in riches and wisdom, and kings seek him to hear the wisdom God put in his heart.
- Proverbs 2:6 (BSB)“For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”The LORD is the source of wisdom, as 9:23 says of Solomon.
- 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 (BSB)“God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart instead of requesting riches or wealth or honor for yourself or death for your enemies—and since you have not even requested long life but have asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern My people over whom I have made you king— therefore wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will also give you riches and wealth and honor unlike anything given to the kings before you or after you.””God granted Solomon wisdom because he asked for it.
- James 1:5 (BSB)“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”God gives wisdom generously to anyone who asks Him.