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2 Chronicles 9

31 verses

TL;DR

Solomon’s reign is highlighted by the famed visit of the Queen of Sheba, the great gifts he receives from foreign kings, and his unprecedented wealth and royal splendor.

Summary

In 2 Chronicles 9, the Queen of Sheba travels to Jerusalem with spices, gold, and precious stones to test Solomon’s wisdom. She is impressed by his knowledge, the grandeur of his court, and the beauty of the Temple, and she offers him a large tribute. Solomon in turn gives her everything she requests. The chapter then lists the vast wealth that came to Solomon in a year—gold from Ophir, gifts from Arabian kings, and ships from Tarshish—and describes his magnificent throne of ivory overlaid with gold, his great number of horses and chariots, and the tribute he received from all the kings of the earth. The chapter concludes by noting the scope of Solomon’s reign, his forty‑year rule over Israel, and the succession of his son Rehoboam.

Outline
  1. Arrival of the Queen of Sheba and exchange of wisdom
  2. Solomon’s wealth, architecture, and foreign tribute
  3. Details of the royal splendor and military resources
  4. Reign’s scope, continuation of biblical record, and succession
Themes
Divine wisdom and hospitalityInternational diplomacy and tributeAbundance and royal splendor
Keywords
wisdomhospitalitytributegoldSpicesivoryTarshishJerusalemRehoboam
People
SolomonQueen of ShebaHuramNathan the prophetAhijah the ShiloniteIddo the seerRehoboam
Places
JerusalemSaba (Sheba)OphirTarshishLebanonEgyptPhilistinesRiver (Jordan?)Israel
Things
GoldSpicesPrecious stonesIvory throneBeaten gold targets and shieldsHorse stallsChariotsTemple furnishings
Key Verses
  • 2 Chronicles 9:1: Marks the beginning of the famed visit and sets the theme of wisdom
  • 2 Chronicles 9:10: Introduces the immense gold from Ophir, illustrating Solomon’s wealth
  • 2 Chronicles 9:17: Describes the unique ivory throne overlaid with gold, symbolizing royal grandeur
  • 2 Chronicles 9:21: Highlights foreign tribute and the reach of Solomon’s influence
  • 2 Chronicles 9:29: Connects this account to other biblical records, emphasizing completeness of the narrative
Questions
  • How does Solomon’s hospitality toward the Queen of Sheba reflect his leadership style?
  • In what ways does the wealth described in this chapter serve as evidence of divine favor?
  • What can modern leaders learn from Solomon’s handling of foreign tribute and diplomatic relationships?
  • How does the description of the throne and court enhance our understanding of 1st‑century royalty?
  • What is the significance of connecting Solomon’s reign to other prophetic books?
Sentiment

positive
Emphasizes Solomon’s wisdom, wealth, and divine favor; celebratory tone.