2 Chronicles Chapter 9
More Achievements of Solomon
A. Solomon Hosts the Queen of Sheba
1. (2 Chronicles 9:1–4) The Queen of Sheba Comes to Jerusalem
“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. And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not. And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her.”
The Queen of Sheba, ruler of a wealthy kingdom located in southern Arabia—modern-day Yemen—heard of Solomon’s fame and came to test the reports herself. Her homeland, known in antiquity as Saba or Sheba, was famed for its riches, including spices, incense, gold, and precious stones. Ancient historians such as Josephus confirm that Sheba was ruled at times by queens, making her journey both plausible and historically grounded.
Her expedition was long and arduous, stretching nearly fifteen hundred miles across desert and mountain. The queen likely led a large royal caravan, richly adorned with treasures, symbolizing her power and prestige. The Scriptures note that she came “to prove Solomon with hard questions.” This was more than a game of riddles; it was a royal inquiry into diplomacy, philosophy, and ethics. Solomon’s international reputation for wisdom had spread throughout the known world, and this queen sought firsthand confirmation.
Solomon answered all her questions, and “there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not.” His wisdom, given by God, extended beyond human intellect to divine discernment. 1 Kings 4:29 says, “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.” He was able to resolve every difficulty she presented. F. F. Bruce notes that her test was not mere curiosity but to assess if Solomon was worthy of alliance and trust.
Frederick B. Meyer draws the parallel beautifully: “Bring your hard questions to Christ; He is greater than Solomon.” As the queen sought Solomon to test his wisdom, so every soul seeking truth must come to the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom are hidden “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).
When the queen of Sheba beheld all that Solomon had built—his palace, the abundance of his table, the organization of his servants and cupbearers, and the magnificence of his ascent to the house of the Lord—“there was no more spirit in her.” This phrase expresses complete astonishment, even breathlessness. She was a woman accustomed to wealth and grandeur, yet the excellence of Solomon’s wisdom and order left her overwhelmed. Adam Clarke remarks that her reaction reflects a natural response of an intelligent and sensitive mind when confronted by such unparalleled excellence.
Everything in Solomon’s kingdom—its prosperity, order, and reverence—displayed the wisdom of God at work in a man yielded to His Spirit. However, as we know from Scripture, this outward glory foreshadowed the greater wisdom and kingdom of Christ, who declared in Matthew 12:42, “The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.”
2. (2 Chronicles 9:5–8) The Reaction of the Queen of Sheba
“And she said to the king, It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom: Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard. Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on His throne, to be king for the Lord thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made He thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.”
The queen’s response reveals both humility and astonishment. She had heard reports of Solomon’s greatness, but upon witnessing it, she exclaimed, “The one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me.” This is a statement of wonder, often quoted as a proverb to describe blessings far beyond expectation. Her words reflect not only admiration but an acknowledgment that what she had seen defied exaggeration.
She observed not merely Solomon’s intellect but also the happiness and order of his realm, saying, “Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.” To serve under a wise and righteous ruler was a rare blessing in the ancient world. If it was a joy to serve Solomon, how much more joy belongs to those who serve the Lord Jesus Christ, the true and perfect King. Psalm 84:10 declares, “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
The queen then offered praise to the God of Israel, saying, “Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee… because thy God loved Israel.” Her words demonstrate that she recognized the divine source of Solomon’s greatness. This was exactly what God intended under the Old Covenant—that the nations would glorify Him when they saw His blessings upon Israel. Deuteronomy 28:1, 10 declares, “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God… the Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto Himself… and all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.” The visit of the queen of Sheba fulfilled, at least in part, that promise. Israel’s obedience brought witness to the nations, just as her disobedience would later bring chastisement before those same nations.
It is uncertain, however, whether this queen’s words expressed genuine faith. As commentator J. F. Dilday points out, her blessing may have been polite acknowledgment rather than confession of allegiance. R. Wiseman adds that “praise to the Lord implies recognition of Israel’s national God and need not necessarily be an expression of personal faith.” Still, she testified truthfully that Solomon’s wisdom and justice were evidences of divine favor.
Her example serves as a powerful image of the true seeker. She traveled a great distance, came with costly gifts, and poured out all that was in her heart. She questioned, listened, observed, and responded with reverence. Yet, unlike Solomon’s later decline, she left unchanged in loyalty but enriched in knowledge. Jesus Himself referenced her in Matthew 12:42, declaring that her search for wisdom would condemn those who rejected Him—the greater than Solomon.
Finally, her acknowledgment, “Because thy God loved Israel forever, therefore made He thee king… to do judgment and justice,” recognizes God’s sovereign grace. Solomon was not the eldest son of David, nor the natural heir by human reasoning. He was chosen by divine appointment, a testimony to God’s electing love and purpose. As 1 Chronicles 28:5 records, “And of all my sons, (for the Lord hath given me many sons,) He hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel.”
The queen saw in Solomon’s reign a reflection of God’s eternal love for His covenant people. Yet, in the greater Son of David—Jesus Christ—the promise finds its perfect fulfillment. His kingdom surpasses Solomon’s glory, and His wisdom transcends all human understanding.
3. (2 Chronicles 9:9–12) An Exchange of Gifts
“And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon. And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones. And the king made of the algum trees terraces to the house of the Lord, and to the king’s palace, and harps and psalteries for singers: and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah. And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which she had brought unto the king. So she turned, and went away to her own land, she and her servants.”
The queen of Sheba, deeply impressed by Solomon’s wisdom and wealth, responded with lavish generosity. She gave him one hundred and twenty talents of gold, which equals roughly four and a half tons, along with spices in great abundance and precious stones. The Chronicler notes that “neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon.” Her homeland of Sheba, in southern Arabia, was famous for its spice trade—particularly frankincense, myrrh, and balsam. These were highly valued in the ancient world for perfume, medicine, and temple incense. Her gifts were not only valuable but symbolic, representing both tribute and admiration.
These offerings were expressions of both respect and diplomacy. In the ancient Near East, royal visits were accompanied by extravagant exchanges of wealth to symbolize goodwill and establish alliances. Yet this account also reflects something deeper: the queen gave from her abundance as a response to what she had received from Solomon’s wisdom. Her tribute mirrors the believer’s response to God’s grace—worship and giving spring naturally from a heart overwhelmed by divine wisdom and blessing. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
The passage also mentions that the servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon brought gold from Ophir, along with algum wood and precious stones. Ophir, a region famous for its gold, was likely located in southern Arabia or East Africa, continuing the prosperous trade Solomon had established earlier (2 Chronicles 8:17–18). The algum trees—also called almug in 1 Kings 10:11–12—were a rare and valuable wood, possibly sandalwood, imported for temple craftsmanship. Solomon used this wood to make walkways (terraces) for the house of the Lord and his palace, and also to construct harps and psalteries for the singers. These instruments enriched the temple’s worship, combining beauty and holiness. The Chronicler emphasizes that “there were none such seen before in the land of Judah,” underscoring the unmatched craftsmanship and splendor of Solomon’s reign.
The giving between Solomon and the queen did not end with her gifts. “King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which she had brought unto the king.” His generosity exceeded hers, reflecting the abundance of his kingdom and his willingness to give freely. Solomon’s exchange with the queen serves as a picture of divine generosity. Just as Solomon repaid her in greater measure than she had given him, so does God exceed the measure of our giving. Luke 6:38 teaches, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.” The queen came seeking wisdom and departed enriched in every way—a fitting image of the soul that comes to the Lord in faith, for He gives “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).
After receiving Solomon’s gifts, “she turned, and went away to her own land, she and her servants.” The queen’s visit concluded with mutual honor and satisfaction. She left with treasures of both material and spiritual value—material wealth from Solomon and wisdom from God’s chosen king. Though Scripture records no confession of faith from her, Jesus later commended her as a model of spiritual pursuit, saying in Matthew 12:42, “The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.”
Thus, her visit serves as a prophetic illustration. She traveled great distance and expense to hear the wisdom of Solomon, but men reject Christ who is greater still. The story challenges every heart to seek the Lord with the same diligence and humility that brought the queen to Jerusalem.
According to later Jewish and Ethiopian tradition—though with no biblical basis—the queen desired a son by Solomon, and he granted her request. Their child, named Menilek, was said to be the ancestor of the Ethiopian monarchy. While this is a legend rather than Scripture, it demonstrates the lasting cultural impression her visit made throughout history.
B. Solomon’s Great Wealth
1. (2 Chronicles 9:13–14) Solomon’s Yearly Income
“Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold; Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.”
The Scripture records that the weight of gold coming to Solomon yearly was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold—that is, 666 talents. This enormous sum reveals the breathtaking wealth of Solomon’s kingdom. A single talent was roughly seventy-five pounds, meaning nearly fifty thousand pounds of gold flowed into Jerusalem annually. This equates to hundreds of millions of dollars in modern value, depending on the gold standard. Beyond this fixed income, Solomon also received wealth from traders, merchants, and vassal kings, so the total revenue of his kingdom was far greater.
This staggering wealth demonstrates the fulfillment of God’s promise in 1 Kings 3:13, where the Lord told Solomon, “And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour.” Yet it also bears a symbolic warning. The number 666 is not only an emblem of material prosperity, but also a spiritual signpost. Only two figures in Scripture are associated with this number: Solomon and the final Antichrist. Revelation 13:18 says, “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”
While Solomon was not the Antichrist, the parallel suggests that worldly power and wealth—even when divinely permitted—can become instruments of corruption when separated from obedience. The Antichrist will be a man, not a spirit; and like Solomon, he may rise to prominence through wisdom and charisma before succumbing to pride and rebellion. Thus, the mention of 666 in Solomon’s record subtly reminds the reader that unchecked prosperity can corrupt even the wisest of men.
The text continues, “Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought.” This indicates that the 666 talents represented only Solomon’s fixed revenue. His total wealth was compounded by trade taxes, tribute payments, and gifts from foreign dignitaries. The “kings of Arabia and governors of the country”—that is, the leaders of nearby provinces—brought him continual tribute of gold and silver. The Chronicler’s inclusion of these details forms both an account of blessing and a warning.
The author assumes the reader remembers God’s command to Israel’s kings in Deuteronomy 17:17, which stated, “Neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.” The king was not to find security in material abundance but in the fear of the Lord. Though Solomon’s prosperity was divinely granted, his excessive accumulation became the seed of spiritual decay. The gold of Ophir and the silver of Arabia would soon weigh heavier than the wisdom that once defined him.
2. (2 Chronicles 9:15–28) Examples of Solomon’s Wealth and Prosperity
“And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one target. And three hundred shields made he of beaten gold: three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon. Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold. And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays: And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps. There was not the like made in any kingdom. And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon. For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks. And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart. And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year. And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the low plains in abundance. And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands.”
The record of Solomon’s kingdom unfolds like a portrait of unmatched opulence. He made two hundred large shields of beaten gold and three hundred smaller shields, each composed of hundreds of shekels of pure gold. These ornate pieces were displayed in the House of the Forest of Lebanon, a great hall used as an armory and symbol of national strength. Yet these shields were ceremonial, not functional. Gold is too heavy and too soft to withstand battle. Their purpose was display, not defense—a fitting metaphor for Solomon’s later years, when the outward show of strength masked spiritual weakness.
Scholars estimate each large shield’s worth at over one hundred thousand modern dollars, while the smaller shields equaled tens of thousands each. In total, tens of millions were invested in decorative military imagery. Such extravagance demonstrated wealth, but also excess. God had raised Solomon to lead a holy nation, yet his wealth increasingly reflected self-glorification rather than divine majesty.
The king also built a throne of ivory overlaid with pure gold, elevated by six steps and flanked by twelve lions—symbols of royal authority and majesty. This throne, described as unmatched in any other kingdom, visually expressed dominion and splendor. Every element of Solomon’s reign—the architecture, vessels, furnishings, and trade—displayed abundance beyond comprehension.
The Chronicler notes, “All the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold… none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.” This phrase captures the height of prosperity: silver, once precious, had become so common it was regarded as nothing. Solomon’s reign exemplified the blessings promised in Deuteronomy 28:12, “The Lord shall open unto thee His good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand.”
In addition to his wealth, Solomon presided over vast trade networks. His ships of Tarshish, operated jointly with Hiram of Tyre, returned every three years laden with gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. The mention of exotic animals and goods reflects Solomon’s global connections, reaching as far as Africa and India. Through divine wisdom, Solomon expanded Israel’s influence beyond any prior king, fulfilling the covenant promise that Israel would become “the head and not the tail” among nations (Deuteronomy 28:13).
“All the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart.” His wisdom, not his wealth, drew the nations to him. Rulers came with gifts of gold, silver, garments, armor, and spices, paying tribute year after year. This was God’s design for Israel under the Old Covenant—that obedience would attract the attention of the nations, leading them to glorify the Lord of hosts.
Yet, beneath the surface of splendor lay the early signs of disobedience. Solomon multiplied horses and chariots, contrary to Deuteronomy 17:16, which forbade the kings of Israel from increasing horses or returning to Egypt to obtain them. The text closes with that ominous note: “And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands.” What began as divinely sanctioned prosperity devolved into compromise with worldly systems. The wealth that once testified of God’s favor became an idol of human achievement.
Even so, Solomon’s wisdom later reflected upon the vanity of such riches. In Ecclesiastes 2:4–11, he wrote, “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” Solomon’s own words confirm that material abundance cannot satisfy the soul apart from fellowship with God.
The Chronicler’s depiction of Solomon thus serves a dual purpose: to show the fulfillment of divine promise, and to warn against the deceitfulness of riches. Prosperity can magnify God’s name when held in humility, but it destroys when it becomes the object of devotion.
4. (2 Chronicles 9:29–31) The End of Solomon’s Reign
“Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat? And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.”
The Chronicler closes the account of Solomon’s reign by pointing to additional prophetic records that detailed his works, both first and last. These included the Book of Nathan the prophet, the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and the visions of Iddo the seer, all inspired records that once existed but are no longer preserved. Their mention reminds the reader that the biblical history of Israel was written under divine supervision through the prophets. Solomon’s reign, though glorious, is here summarized in just a few lines, marking the end of Israel’s most prosperous era.
“And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.” His reign lasted four decades, paralleling the reign of his father David. If Solomon began to rule at about twenty years old, as many scholars suggest, then he would have died around the age of sixty. This was not a particularly long life, especially for one so richly blessed. His relatively early death illustrates that the promise given to him in 1 Kings 3:14—“And if thou wilt walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days”—was left unfulfilled. The condition of obedience attached to that promise was broken by Solomon’s disobedience and idolatry.
Adam Clarke comments, “When we consider the excess in which he lived, and the criminal passions which he must have indulged among his thousand wives, and their idolatrous and impure worship, this life was as long as could be reasonably expected.” The natural consequences of his lifestyle likely shortened his days, both physically through indulgence and spiritually through decay of faith.
The text then says, “And Solomon slept with his fathers.” This phrase, used throughout Kings and Chronicles, simply denotes death. It does not necessarily indicate salvation, nor does it guarantee eternal rest in the presence of God. The same expression is used for wicked men such as Ahab in 1 Kings 22:40—“So Ahab slept with his fathers”—and for righteous kings alike. It means that the person joined their ancestors in the realm of the dead. Scripture is silent regarding the eternal state of Solomon’s soul, and thus we must not speak with certainty where the Bible is silent.
It is possible that Solomon repented in his latter years, as some infer from the book of Ecclesiastes, where the “Preacher” reflects upon the vanity of worldly pursuits and concludes, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). If that represents a genuine repentance, then his end may have been one of restoration. Yet the narrative of Kings and Chronicles emphasizes not his repentance but his fall, leaving the question deliberately open as a solemn warning.
G. Campbell Morgan observed, “Yielding to certain lower things of his nature, he became a slave to them, and dragged down his nation with him. So long as he remained on the throne, the people were solaced and drugged by the material magnificence; but underneath, the spirit of rebellion and revolt was at work, ready to break out into open manifestation directly he was removed.” Indeed, Solomon’s idolatry and excessive taxation set the stage for the division of the kingdom that would soon follow under his son Rehoboam. The seeds of Israel’s downfall were sown in its greatest age of prosperity.
Morgan further adds, “The story is perhaps one of the most striking illustrations of the fact that opportunity and privilege, even God-bestowed, are not enough in themselves to assure full realization.” Solomon began with extraordinary opportunity—wisdom from God, peace on every side, divine favor, and covenant blessing. Yet these privileges, without obedience and humility, led to ruin. His life demonstrates that divine gifts must be guarded by godly character, or they become instruments of destruction.
The record concludes, “And Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.” With this transition, the narrative prepares the reader for the tragic division of the united kingdom. Rehoboam inherited the throne but not his father’s wisdom, and the nation would fracture within his reign. Thus the era of golden splendor ended with the tarnish of disobedience, proving again that no measure of human greatness can preserve what only faithfulness to God can sustain.
