Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 9:23
All the kings of the earth sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator records a period during Solomon’s reign when rulers from across the known world traveled to Jerusalem. This account follows the prior statement that Solomon had surpassed all monarchs in wealth and wisdom.
The words — מְבַקְשִׁים (me.vak.shim) means "were seeking," and פְּנֵי (pe.nei) means "face of," combining to form the Hebrew idiom for requesting an audience. לִשְׁמֹעַ (li.sh.mo.a) literally translates as "to hear," specifying the purpose of their journeys.
The thread — Foreign leaders seeking Solomon’s wisdom is recorded in 1 Kings 4:34, while the broader theme of God granting wisdom to a leader appears in James 1:5 and James 3:17.
Why it lands — The text reports that earthly kings actively pursued Solomon to access wisdom that originated from God. This establishes that human insight and authority derive from divine allocation rather than autonomous human achievement.
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 all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart.
Cross-references
- James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
- James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
- 1 Kings 4:34 So men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.
- Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
- 1 Kings 3:28 When all Israel heard of the judgment the king had given, they stood in awe of him, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.
- 2 Chronicles 1:10 Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
- 2 Chronicles 9:6 But I did not believe the reports until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not half of the greatness of your wisdom was told to me. You have far exceeded the report I heard.
- Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.
- Isaiah 11:10 On that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will seek Him, and His place of rest will be glorious.
- Daniel 1:17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. And Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams.