The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon
2 Chronicles 9:1-12
2 C.9.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומלכת: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- שבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמעה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- ותבוא: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- לנסות: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- בחידות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בחיל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כבד: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- מאד: ADV
- וגמלים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נשאים: PARTCP,pual,pass,m,pl
- בשמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וזהב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואבן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יקרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ותבוא: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- ותדבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- לבבה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 10:1-13 (verbal): Direct parallel account: the queen of Sheba visits Solomon to test his wisdom and brings a great caravan of spices, gold, and precious stones; many details correspond closely to 2 Chronicles 9:1–12.
- 1 Kings 4:29-34 (thematic): Describes Solomon’s divinely given wisdom and international renown that drew foreigners to hear him—background context explaining why the queen of Sheba would come to test and converse with Solomon.
- Psalm 72:10-11 (thematic): Poetic image of rulers (including those of Sheba) bringing gifts and paying homage to the king, thematically echoing Sheba’s tribute and recognition of Solomon’s rule and wisdom.
- Matthew 12:42 (allusion): Jesus refers to “the queen of the South” who came to hear Solomon’s wisdom, explicitly alluding to the Sheba‑Solomon episode and using it as a moral example for his contemporaries.
- Luke 11:31 (allusion): Parallel to Matthew 12:42: Jesus again invokes the queen of the South’s visit to Solomon, drawing on the same tradition and pointing to her seeking wisdom as a rebuke to his audience.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon she came to test him with riddles in Jerusalem, with a very great retinue, and camels bearing spices, and very much gold and precious stones. She came to Solomon and spoke with him about all that was on her heart.
- The queen of Sheba heard the report about Solomon; she came to test Solomon with riddles in Jerusalem, with a very great retinue, bearing camels loaded with spices, a very great quantity of gold, and precious stones. She came to Solomon and spoke with him about all that was in her heart.
2 C.9.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויגד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- דבריה: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,f,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- נעלם: ADJ,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משלמה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- הגיד: VERB,hifil,perf,3,m,sg
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 10:3 (verbal): Almost identical statement: Solomon answered all her questions and nothing was hidden from the king that he did not tell her — a near-verbatim parallel account of the queen of Sheba episode.
- 1 Kings 4:29-34 (thematic): General portrait of Solomon’s God-given wisdom and wide-ranging knowledge (proverbs, natural lore, discernment) that explains how he could answer every question the queen posed.
- Acts 8:30-35 (thematic): A foreign dignitary (the Ethiopian eunuch) seeks understanding and is instructed by a gifted interpreter (Philip); parallels the motif of a non‑Israelite seeking and receiving authoritative explanation from a divinely enabled teacher.
- Isaiah 11:2-3 (allusion): Description of the Spirit granting wisdom, understanding, counsel and discernment — theological background for the notion that a ruler (like Solomon) can reveal hidden things through divinely granted wisdom.
Alternative generated candidates
- Solomon answered all her questions; there was not a single thing that Solomon did not make known to her.
- Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from Solomon that he did not make known to her.
2 C.9.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- מלכת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- חכמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- והבית: NOUN,m,sg,def,pref:v
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 10:4 (verbal): Direct parallel account: the queen of Sheba sees Solomon's wisdom and his house; wording closely corresponds to 2 Chronicles 9:3.
- 1 Kings 7:1 (structural): Background description of 'the house' Solomon built (his royal house/palace), providing the architectural context referenced in 2 Chronicles 9:3.
- Matthew 12:42 (allusion): Jesus refers to 'the queen of the South' (the queen of Sheba) coming to hear Solomon's wisdom—New Testament allusion to the same episode and its significance for recognizing wisdom.
- Luke 11:31 (allusion): Parallel to Matthew's reference: the queen of the South's visit to hear Solomon is invoked as an example of seeking wisdom, alluding to the Chronicles/Kings tradition.
- Psalm 72:10 (thematic): Mentions the kings/peoples of Sheba bringing gifts—thematically linked to the account of the queen of Sheba's visit, tribute, and admiration for Solomon's wisdom and court.
Alternative generated candidates
- The queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon and the house that he had built.
- The queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon and the house that he had built,
2 C.9.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומאכל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלחנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,pl
- ומושב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- ומעמד: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משרתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,ms
- ומלבושיהם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- ומשקיו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,ms
- ומלבושיהם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- ועליתו: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs+3ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עוד: ADV
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 10:4-5 (verbal): Direct parallel in the Solomon–Queen of Sheba narrative describing her inspection of Solomon’s food, servants, attendants, clothing and household splendor; the language and sequence closely mirror Chronicles.
- 1 Kings 10:1-13 (structural): The broader narrative in Kings that corresponds to Chronicles 9—same episode (the Queen of Sheba’s visit) and overall literary structure detailing Solomon’s wisdom, wealth, and the gifts exchanged.
- Matthew 12:42 (allusion): Jesus alludes to the Queen of the South (Sheba) who came to hear Solomon’s wisdom; thematically connects the queen’s astonishment at Solomon’s splendor and wisdom to a moral/eschatological point.
- Luke 11:31 (allusion): Parallel to Matthew’s reference—Luke cites the Queen of Sheba’s visit as proof of Solomon’s wisdom and as a rebuke to Jesus’ contemporaries, thematically linking the queen’s seeking of Solomon to expectations about recognizing true wisdom.
Alternative generated candidates
- Also the food at his table, and the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants and their apparel, and his cupbearers and their apparel, and the procession by which he went up to the house of the LORD—she was overwhelmed.
- and the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the order of his officials and their apparel, his cupbearers and their robes, and the way he rose to the house of the LORD—she was overwhelmed.
2 C.9.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שמעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- בארצי: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:1s
- על: PREP
- דבריך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- חכמתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+2ms
Parallels
- 1 Kings 10:6 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: the queen of Sheba declares that the report she heard in her land concerning Solomon’s words/ wisdom is true.
- 1 Kings 10:1-9 (structural): The broader narrative parallel recounting the queen of Sheba’s visit, her questions, and her amazement at Solomon’s wisdom and riches.
- Matthew 12:42 (allusion): Jesus alludes to the queen of the South (Sheba) who came to hear Solomon’s wisdom—using her journey as a contrast to Jesus’ contemporaries’ lack of response.
- Luke 11:31 (allusion): Parallel to Matthew 12:42: the queen of the South is cited as evidence that people traveled far to hear Solomon’s wisdom, an implicit affirmation of Solomon’s reputation mentioned in 2 Chronicles 9:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- And she said to the king, “It was true what I heard in my own land concerning your words and your wisdom.
- And she said to the king, “It is true the report that I heard in my land about your words and about your wisdom.
2 C.9.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- האמנתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- לדבריהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,mp
- עד: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- באתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ותראינה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,pl
- עיני: NOUN,f,pl,cons+1s
- והנה: ADV
- לא: PART_NEG
- הגד: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- חצי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מרבית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חכמתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+2ms
- יספת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- השמועה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שמעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 10:6-7 (verbal): Direct parallel in the parallel account of the Queen of Sheba's visit; the queen says she would not believe the reports until her eyes saw, and that Solomon's wisdom and prosperity exceeded the fame she had heard.
- 1 Kings 10:4-5 (verbal): Part of the same narrative: the queen tests Solomon with hard questions and then declares that the reports of his acts and wisdom were true but that the half had not been told her—closely matching 2 Chr 9:6.
- Matthew 12:42 (allusion): Jesus alludes to the 'queen of the South' (Sheba) who came to hear Solomon’s wisdom, using her visit as a witness to Solomon’s fame and wisdom—thematising the recognition of Solomon’s wisdom described in 2 Chr 9:6.
- Luke 11:31 (allusion): Parallel to Matthew's reference: Luke records Jesus’ mention of the queen of the South, invoking her journey to hear Solomon’s wisdom as an example—an allusive echo of the queen’s amazement in 2 Chr 9:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- But I did not believe their words until I came and my own eyes had seen; and behold, they had not told me half of your wisdom. Indeed, the report I had heard did not do it justice.”
- I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen; and behold, they did not tell me half of your wisdom. You exceed the fame that I heard.
2 C.9.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אשרי: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- אנשיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2mp
- ואשרי: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- עבדיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,2ms
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- העמדים: VERB,qal,ptc,0,m,pl
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- תמיד: ADV
- ושמעים: CONJ+PART,m,pl,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- חכמתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+2ms
Parallels
- 1 Kings 10:8 (quotation): Direct parallel/near-quotation: the queen of Sheba’s words in 1 Kgs 10:8 repeat the same praise—'happy are your men… who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom.'
- Proverbs 8:34-35 (thematic): Wisdom tradition language: 'Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates' — echoes the blessing on those who stand before a source of wisdom and hear it regularly.
- Proverbs 1:5 (thematic): Values attentive listening to wisdom: 'Let the wise hear and increase in learning'—parallels the commendation of those who hear the king’s (Solomon’s) wisdom.
- Proverbs 9:9 (thematic): Instruction and growth of the hearer: 'Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser'—resonates with the idea that those who hear wisdom (the king’s servants) are blessed.
Alternative generated candidates
- “Blessed are your men, and blessed are these your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom.”
- Blessed are your men, blessed are your servants who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom.
2 C.9.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יהי: VERB,qal,juss,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- ברוך: ADJ,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- חפץ: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- לתתך: VERB,qal,infc,2ms
- על: PREP
- כסאו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- באהבת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,const
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להעמידו: VERB,hif,inf,-,-,-,+3ms
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויתנך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,+2ms
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- משפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וצדקה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 10:9 (verbal): Nearly identical wording: the Queen of Sheba blesses the LORD who delighted in Solomon and set him on the throne to rule Israel and to do justice and righteousness (direct Kings–Chronicles parallel).
- 2 Samuel 7:16 (thematic): God's promise that David's house and throne will be established forever explains the theological basis for God setting a king over Israel and an enduring Davidic rule (establishing the throne forever).
- 1 Chronicles 17:11-14 (structural): Chronicles' own recension of the Davidic covenant language about raising offspring, establishing his throne forever, and God's protective purposes—parallels the idea that God sets a king to secure Israel permanently.
- Psalm 72:1-4 (thematic): Royal prayer that the king may execute justice and righteousness for the poor and oppressed; echoes the assigned royal function in 2 Chr 9:8 that the king rule to do justice and righteousness.
Alternative generated candidates
- And she blessed the LORD your God who delighted in you to set you on his throne to be king for the LORD your God; because your God loved Israel to establish them forever, he has made you king over them to execute justice and righteousness.
- Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you to set you on his throne to be king for the LORD your God; because your God loved Israel and established them forever, he has made you ruler over them to govern in justice and righteousness.
2 C.9.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותתן: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאה: NUM,f,sg,abs
- ועשרים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- ככר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובשמים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאד: ADV
- ואבן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יקרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כבשם: ADV
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתנה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- מלכת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 10:1-13 (verbal): Direct parallel account of the queen of Sheba's visit and gifts; Chronicles repeats the Solomon–Sheba episode recorded in Kings (including the report of large gifts of gold, spices and precious stones).
- Isaiah 60:6 (thematic): Speaks of people from Sheba bringing gold and frankincense to Zion—shares the motif of Sheba bearing wealthy gifts to the wise/holy ruler or city.
- Psalm 72:10-11 (thematic): Describes kings bringing presents and paying homage to the anointed king—echoes the theme of foreign rulers bringing tribute and honors to a sovereign like Solomon.
- Matthew 12:42 (allusion): Jesus alludes to the 'queen of the South' (Sheba) who came to hear Solomon's wisdom; uses the same tradition of her visit/gifts to make a theological point.
- Luke 11:31 (allusion): Parallel Matthean reference to the queen of the South; likewise invokes the Sheba–Solomon episode as an example in Jesus' teaching.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, and very much spice and precious stones. There were no gifts like those that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
- Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and very much spice and precious stones. There had never been gifts like those that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
2 C.9.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- עבדי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- חורם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועבדי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,prsfx,1s
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הביאו: VERB,hiphil,imperat,2,m,pl
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאופיר: PREP
- הביאו: VERB,hiphil,imperat,2,m,pl
- עצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- אלגומים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואבן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יקרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 10:11 (quotation): Near-verbatim parallel: mentions 'the servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon who brought gold from Ophir' and that they brought algum (almug) wood and precious stones.
- 1 Kings 9:28 (thematic): Describes the ships (Tarshish) going to Ophir and bringing back large quantities of gold for Solomon—context for the Ophir trade referenced in 2 Chr 9:10.
- 1 Kings 10:22 (thematic): Summarizes Solomon's maritime commerce (navy of Tarshish) bringing gold, silver and other exotic goods; complements the note about Ophir and imported luxury items.
- 2 Chr 2:14 (thematic): Records Hiram/Huram sending servants, craftsmen and timber to Solomon—parallels the cooperation of Hiram's servants with Solomon's servants in procuring timber and valuable materials.
Alternative generated candidates
- Also the servants of Huram and the servants of Solomon who brought gold from Ophir brought algum-wood and precious stones.
- Also Huram’s servants and Solomon’s servants, who brought gold from Ophir, brought algum wood and precious stones.
2 C.9.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- עצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- האלגומים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מסלות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cns
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולבית: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וכנרות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ונבלים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לשרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- נראו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,pl
- כהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לפנים: PREP
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- 1 Kings 10:11 (quotation): Direct parallel/doublet in the Deuteronomistic/Chronicles tradition: the same report that Solomon made pillars and musical instruments of the Lebanon timber for the temple and king's house, and none like them were seen before in Judah.
- 1 Kings 7:2-12 (structural): Description of Solomon's building activities using cedar and other Lebanon timbers, including construction of pillars and fittings—background material for the Chronicle's statement about Lebanon wood used in temple and palace.
- 1 Kings 5:6-10 (verbal): Accounts the arrangement between Solomon and Hiram to obtain cedars and firs from Lebanon for the king's building projects, paralleling the source of the 'wood of Lebanon' mentioned in 2 Chr 9:11.
- 1 Chronicles 15:16 (thematic): Speaks of preparing harps, lyres, and cymbals for worship—parallels the note in 2 Chr 9:11 about making harps and psalteries for the temple singers and the organized use of instruments in liturgical service.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the king made the algum-wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s house, and into harps and lyres for the singers; nothing like them had been seen before in the land of Judah.
- The king made the algum wood into supports for the house of the LORD and for the king’s house, and into harps and lyres for the singers; there had never been their like in the land of Judah.
2 C.9.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והמלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- למלכת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- שבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- חפצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שאלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מלבד: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הביאה: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ותהפך: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- ותלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לארצה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- ועבדיה: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 10:1-13 (quotation): Direct parallel account: the queen of Sheba visits Solomon, asks questions, receives gifts and returns to her land — Chronicles largely repeats and condenses this narrative from Kings.
- Psalm 72:10-11 (thematic): Speaks of the kings of Sheba bringing gifts and paying homage to the righteous king, echoing the motif of foreign rulers bringing tribute to Solomon.
- Isaiah 60:6 (thematic): Images of camels and gold from Sheba bringing wealth and tribute to Zion parallel the theme of distant lands sending gifts to a great ruler.
- Matthew 12:42 (allusion): Jesus alludes to the 'queen of the South' (Sheba) who came to hear Solomon's wisdom and returned convinced — referencing the same visit and its recognition of Solomon's wisdom.
Alternative generated candidates
- King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all that she desired, besides what she had brought to the king; then she turned and went to her own land, she and her servants.
- King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all that she desired, besides what she had brought to the king; then she turned and went back to her own land, she and her servants.
The queen of Sheba heard the report about Solomon, and she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions, bringing a very great retinue—camels bearing spices, a large quantity of gold, and precious stones. She came to Solomon and spoke with him about all that was in her heart.
Solomon told her all her questions; there was no matter hidden from Solomon that he did not make known to her.
The queen of Sheba saw Solomon's wisdom and the house he had built.
She saw the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the arrangement of his ministers and their apparel, his cupbearers and their garments, and the ascent by which he went up to the house of the LORD—and there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king, 'It is true the report that I heard in my land concerning your words and your wisdom.'
I did not believe the reports until I came and my eyes saw; and behold, they did not tell me half—your wisdom and prosperity exceed the report that I heard.
'Blessed are your men, blessed are your servants, those who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom.'
'Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you to set you upon his throne to be king for the LORD your God; because your God loved Israel to establish them for ever, he made you king over them to execute judgment and righteousness.'
Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones. There never had been such spices as those that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
Also the servants of Huram and the servants of Solomon who brought gold from Ophir brought in almug wood and precious stones.
The king made the almug wood into supports for the house of the LORD and for the king's house, and into harps and lyres for the singers; such things had not been seen before in the land of Judah.
King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba whatever she desired, besides what he had already given her from his royal bounty; then she turned and returned to her own country, she and her servants.