II Chronicles 9
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The queen of Sheba - See all the particulars of this royal visit distinctly marked and explained in the notes on Kg1 10:1-10 (note). The Targum calls her queen of Zemargad.
Open source ↗THE QUEEN OF SHEBA VISITS SOLOMON; SHE ADMIRES HIS WISDOM AND MAGNIFICENCE. (Ch2 9:1-12) when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon--(See on Kg1 10:1-13). It is said that among the things in Jerusalem which drew forth the admiration of Solomon's royal visitor was "his ascent by which he went up into the house of the Lord." This was the arched viaduct that crossed the valley from Mount Zion to the opposite hill. In the commentary on the passage quoted above, allusion was made to the recent discovery of its remains. Here we give a full account of what, for boldness of conceptions for structure and magnificence, was one of the greatest wonders in Jerusalem. "During our first visit to the southwest corner of the area of the mosque, we observed several of the large stones jutting out from the western wall, which at first seemed to be the effect of a bursting of the wall from some mighty shock or earthquake. We paid little regard to this at the moment; but on mentioning the fact not long after to a circle of our friends, the remark was incidentally dropped that the stones had the appearance of having once belonged to a large arch. At this remark, a train of thought flashed across my mind, which I hardly dared to follow out until I had again repaired to the spot, in order to satisfy myself with my own eyes as to the truth or falsehood of the suggestion. I found it even so. The courses of these immense stones occupy their original position; their external surface is hewn to a regular curve; and, being fitted one upon another, they form the commencement or foot of an immense arch which once sprung out from this western wall in a direction towards Mount Zion, across the TyropÅ“on valley. This arch could only have belonged to the bridge, which, according to JOSEPHUS, led…
Open source ↗See Chapter Introduction Next: 2 Chronicles Chapter 10
Open source ↗The visit of the queen of Sheba. Cf. Kg1 10:1-13. - This event is narrated as a practical proof of Solomon's extraordinary wisdom. The narrative agrees so exactly in both texts, with the exception of some few quite unimportant differences, that we must regard them as literal extracts from an original document which they have used in common. For the commentary on this section, see on Kg1 10:1-13.
Open source ↗This passage of story had been largely considered in the Kings; yet, because our Saviour has proposed it as an example to us in our enquiries after him (Mat 12:42), we must not pass it over without observing briefly, 1. Those who honour God he will honour, Sa1 2:30. Solomon had greatly honoured God, in building, beautifying, and dedicating the temple; all his wisdom and all his wealth were employed for the making of that a consummate piece: and now God made his wisdom and wealth to redound greatly to his reputation. The way to have both the credit and comfort of all our endowments and all our enjoyments is to consecrate them to God and use them for him. 2. Those who know the worth of true wisdom will grudge no pains nor cost to obtain it. The queen of Sheba put herself to a great deal of trouble and expense to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and yet, learning from him to serve God and do her duty, she thought herself well paid for her pains. Heavenly wisdom is that pearl of great price which is a good bargain to purchase by parting with all that we have. 3. As every man has received the gift so he ought to minister the same for the edification of others, as he has opportunity. Solomon was communicative of his wisdom and willing to teach others what he knew himself. Being taught of God, freely he had received, and freely he gave. Let those that are rich in wisdom, as well as wealth, learn to do good and be ready to distribute. Give to every one that asketh. 4. Good order in a family, a great family, especially in the things of God, and a regular discharge of the duties of religious worship, are highly expedient, and to be much admired wherever found. The queen of Sheba was exceedingly affected to see the propriety with which Solomon's servants attended him and with which bot…
Open source ↗9:1-2 Although Solomon had long-term economic and political ties with Hiram of Tyre (8:17-18; 9:10-11), the queen of Sheba visited just once. Ancient Sheba (roughly modern Yemen) was noted for its important female rulers and for a wealthy economy based on trade in frankincense and myrrh. An ancient tradition suggests that the queen of Sheba came from Cush (Ethiopia), perhaps because of Sheba son of Raamah, a descendant of Cush (Gen 10:7; 1 Chr 1:9).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מַלְכָּה (malkâh, H4436) — a queen שְׁבָא (Shᵉbâʼ, H7614) — Sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an Ethiopian district שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… שֵׁמַע (shêmaʻ, H8088) — something heard, i.e. a sound, rumor, announcement; abstractly, audience שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) נָסָה (nâçâh, H5254) — to test; by implication, to attempt חִידָה (chîydâh, H2420) — a puzzle, hence, a trick, conundrum, sententious maxim יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… כָּבֵד (kâbêd, H3515) — heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult,… חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… גָּמָל (gâmâl, H1581) — a camel נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
Open source ↗שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause עָלַם (ʻâlam, H5956) — to veil from sight, i.e. conceal (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗מַלְכָּה (malkâh, H4436) — a queen שְׁבָא (Shᵉbâʼ, H7614) — Sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an Ethiopian district רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗מַאֲכָל (maʼăkâl, H3978) — an eatable (includ. provender, flesh and fruit) שֻׁלְחָן (shulchân, H7979) — a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal מוֹשָׁב (môwshâb, H4186) — a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant מַעֲמָד (maʻămâd, H4612) — (figuratively) a position שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to מַלְבּוּשׁ (malbûwsh, H4403) — a garment, or (collectively) clothing שָׁקָה (shâqâh, H8248) — to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to עֲלִיָּה (ʻălîyâh, H5944) — something lofty, i.e. a stair-way; also a second-story room (or even one on the roof);… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֶמֶת (ʼemeth, H571) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense)
Open source ↗אָמַן (ʼâman, H539) — properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… חֵצִי (chêtsîy, H2677) — the half or middle מַרְבִּית (marbîyth, H4768) — a multitude; also offspring; specifically interest (on capital) חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) שְׁמוּעָה (shᵉmûwʻâh, H8052) — something heard, i.e. an announcement שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,…
Open source ↗אֶשֶׁר (ʼesher, H835) — happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy! אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) תָּמִיד (tâmîyd, H8548) — properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense)
Open source ↗בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… חָפֵץ (châphêts, H2654) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) כִּסֵּא (kiççêʼ, H3678) — properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אַהֲבָה (ʼahăbâh, H160) — {affection (in a good or a bad sense)} יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh, H6666) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue)…
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth כִּכָּר (kikkâr, H3603) — a circle, i.e. (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the Ghor or… זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky בֶּשֶׂם (besem, H1314) — fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect) יָקָר (yâqâr, H3368) — valuable (objectively or subjectively) אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone מַלְכָּה (malkâh, H4436) — a queen שְׁבָא (Shᵉbâʼ, H7614) — Sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an Ethiopian district שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor
Open source ↗עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant חוּרָם (Chûwrâm, H2361) — Churam, the name of an Israelite and two Syrians שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky אוֹפִיר (ʼÔwphîyr, H211) — Ophir, the name of a son of Joktan, and of a gold region in the East אַלְגּוּמִּים (ʼalgûwmmîym, H418) — sticks of algum wood עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) יָקָר (yâqâr, H3368) — valuable (objectively or subjectively) אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אַלְגּוּמִּים (ʼalgûwmmîym, H418) — sticks of algum wood עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) מְסִלָּה (mᵉçillâh, H4546) — a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God כִּנּוֹר (kinnôwr, H3658) — a harp נֶבֶל (nebel, H5035) — a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); hence, a vase (as similar in shape… שִׁיר (shîyr, H7891) — to sing הֵם (hêm, H1992) — they (only used when emphatic) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מַלְכָּה (malkâh, H4436) — a queen שְׁבָא (Shᵉbâʼ, H7614) — Sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an Ethiopian district חֵפֶץ (chêphets, H2656) — pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a… שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) הָפַךְ (hâphak, H2015) — to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant
Open source ↗מִשְׁקָל (mishqâl, H4948) — weight (numerically estimated); hence, weighing (the act) זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction שִׁשִּׁים (shishshîym, H8346) — sixty כִּכָּר (kikkâr, H3603) — a circle, i.e. (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the Ghor or…
Open source ↗אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) תּוּר (tûwr, H8446) — to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially fortrade or reconnoitring סָחַר (çâchar, H5503) — to travel round (specifically as a pedlar); intensively, to palpitate בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עֲרָב (ʻĂrâb, H6152) — Arab (i.e. Arabia), a country East of Palestine פֶּחָה (pechâh, H6346) — a prefect (of a city or small district) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor
Open source ↗Cross-references
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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.
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.
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.
Caravans of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah, and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.
The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. And the sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.
Now Solomon son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and highly exalted him.
On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.
Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him; may they bless him all day long.