2 Chronicles 9 explained: Solomon at the Height of His Glory

The queen tests Solomon (vv. 1-8)

Sheba was a wealthy trading kingdom, probably in southwest Arabia (modern Yemen), though some place it in East Africa. She arrives with hard questions and leaves amazed, praising Israel's God for putting Solomon on the throne to rule with justice; Jesus later pointed to her as someone who traveled far to hear wisdom.

Gifts between rulers (vv. 9-12)

Lavish gifts were how kings and queens sealed friendships and trade deals, so this exchange was likely diplomacy as much as generosity. The aside about Hiram's ships names Ophir and algumwood, but scholars are unsure exactly where Ophir was or what tree algumwood was.

Gold, shields and throne (vv. 13-21)

The yearly gold, 666 talents, was a vast sum, usually estimated at over twenty tons, and the gold shields were for display rather than battle. The lions on the throne were a common symbol of royal power, and the long voyages brought in exotic goods from distant lands.

Greatest of all kings (vv. 22-28)

Rulers came with gifts year after year, and silver became as common as stones in Jerusalem. Many readers notice a quiet tension here, since an earlier law (Deuteronomy 17) warned Israel's kings not to pile up gold, silver and horses from Egypt.

Solomon's death (vv. 29-31)

The writer points to other records of Solomon's reign that are now lost, then reports his forty years of rule and his burial. Unlike the parallel account in 1 Kings 11, this book leaves out Solomon's later turn to other gods, keeping its focus on him as the temple builder.

Key verse: 2 Chronicles 9:22

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether this chapter is simply a celebration of God's promised blessing on Solomon or also a subtle warning, since the wealth, horses and imports it praises are the very things the law told kings to avoid.

Something to think about

When someone reaches extraordinary success and wealth, what helps you tell whether it deserves admiration or concern?