Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 9:1
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Chronicler narrates the queen of Sheba’s arrival in Jerusalem to confront Solomon with difficult questions after hearing reports of his renown. She comes with a massive caravan bearing spices, gold, and precious stones to speak directly with him.
The words — The Hebrew לְ/נַסּוֹת (le./na.sOt) literally means "to put to the test," defining her purpose in bringing challenging inquiries. The verb phrase שָֽׁמְעָה שֵׁ֣מַע (sha.me.'Ah She.ma') translates as "she heard the report," marking the factual catalyst for her journey.
The thread — This event runs parallel to 1 Kings 10:1, where the queen hears of Solomon’s fame concerning the name of the Lord and arrives to test him with hard questions. The Synoptic Gospels later reference her journey in Matthew 12:42 and Luke 11:31 as a historical witness at the final judgment.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that the queen’s extensive travel stems from a deliberate effort to verify Solomon’s wisdom through direct questioning. It establishes that reputation must be confronted with inquiry before it can be evaluated.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Matthew 12:42 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.
- Luke 11:31 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.
- 1 Kings 10:1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions.
- 2 Chronicles 9:9 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.
- Genesis 10:7 The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. And the sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.
- Isaiah 60:6 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.
- Genesis 10:28 Obal, Abimael, Sheba,
- Genesis 25:3 Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites.
- 1 Samuel 1:15 “No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have not had any wine or strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD.
- 1 Kings 4:31 He was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and wiser than Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread throughout the surrounding nations.