King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 9:1 Mean?

“And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.”

Context

And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.

And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not.

And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built,

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

**IX.** (ii) **SOLOMON’S WISDOM, WEALTH, AND GLORY. HIS DEATH.** (*a*) **THE VISIT OF THE QUEEN OF SHEBA** (2Chronicles 9:1-12). Comp. 1Kings 10:1-13. The Hebrew text coincides with Kings, allowing for a few characteristic alterations, the chief of which will be noticed. (1) **And when the queen of Sheba heard.**—*Now the queen of Sheba had heard.* Kings, *was hearing.* **The fame of Solomon.**—Kings, adds a difficult phrase (“as to the name of Jehovah”) which the chronicler omits. **Hard questions.**—*Riddles, enigmas.* LXX., αἰνίγμασιν (Judges 14:12). **At Jerusalem.**—An abridgment but not an improvement of Kings. The Syr. agrees with the latter. **Gold in abundance.**—The chronicler has substituted a favourite expression for the “*very much* gold” of Kings.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 9:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.