2 Chronicles 9 · Verse 1

2 Chronicles 9:1

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.

2 Chronicles 9:1, King James Version

2 Chronicles 9:1 in other translations

BSB	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. So she came to Solomon and spoke with him about all that was on her mind.
WEB	When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to test Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great caravan, including camels that bore spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones. When she had come to Solomon, she talked with him about all that was in her heart.
ASV	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 train, 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.
YLT	And the queen of Sheba hath heard of the fame of Solomon, and cometh in to try Solomon with acute sayings, to Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels bearing spices and gold in abundance, and precious stone; and she cometh in unto Solomon, and speaketh with him all that hath been with her heart,
DARBY	And the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, and came to Jerusalem to prove Solomon with enigmas; with a very great train, and camels that bore spices and gold in great abundance, and precious stones; and she came to Solomon, and spoke with him of all that was in her heart.
BBE	Now the queen of Sheba, hearing great things of Solomon, came to Jerusalem to put his wisdom to the test with hard questions; and with her came a very great train, and camels weighted down with spices, and great stores of gold and jewels: and when she came to Solomon she had talk with him of everything in her mind.
Webster	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 bore spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she had come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.

What does 2 Chronicles 9:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Chronicles 9:1-4

2Ch 9:1-12. The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon; She Admires His Wisdom and Magnificence. 1-4. when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon--(See on 1Ki 10:1-13). It is said that among the things in Jerusalem which drew forth the admiration of Solomon's royal visitor was "his ascent by which he went up into the house of the Lord." This was the arched viaduct that crossed the valley from Mount Zion to the opposite hill. In the commentary on the passage quoted above, allusion was made to the recent discovery of its remains. Here we give a full account of what, for boldness of conceptions for structure and magnificence, was one of the greatest wonders in Jerusalem. "During our first visit to the southwest corner of the area of the mosque, we observed several of the large stones jutting out from the western wall, which at first seemed to be the effect of a bursting of the wall from some mighty shock or earthquake. We paid little regard to this at the moment; but on mentioning the fact not long after to a circle of our friends, the remark was incidentally dropped that the stones had the appearance of having once belonged to a large arch. At this remark, a train of thought flashed across my mind, which I hardly dared to follow out until I had again repaired to the spot, in order to satisfy myself with my own eyes as to the truth or falsehood of the suggestion. I found it even so. The courses of these immense stones occupy their original position; their external surface is hewn to a regular curve; and, being fitted one upon another, they form the commencement or foot of an immense arch which once sprung out from this western wall in a direction towards Mount Zion, across the Tyropoeon valley. This arch could only have belonged to the bridge, which, according to Josephus, led from this part of the temple to the Xystus (covered colonnade) on Zion; and it proves incontestably the antiquity of that portion from which it springs" [Robinson]. The distance from this point to the steep rock of Zion Robinson calculates to be about three hundred and fifty feet, the probable length of this ancient viaduct. Another writer adds, that "the arch of this bridge, if its curve be calculated with an approximation to the truth, would measure sixty feet, and must have been one of five sustaining the viaduct (allowing for the abutments on either side), and that the piers supporting the center arch of this bridge must have been of great altitude--not less, perhaps, than one hundred and thirty feet. The whole structure, when seen from the southern extremity of the Tyropoeon, must have had an aspect of grandeur, especially as connected with the lofty and sumptuous edifices of the temple, and of Zion to the right and to the left" [Isaac Taylor's Edition of Traill's Josephus]. 2Ch 9:13-28. His Riches.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

The queen of Sheba visits Solomon, and is sumptuously entertained by him, 2Chr 9:1-12. His great riches, 2Chr 9:13, 2Chr 9:14. He makes targets and shields of beaten gold, and a magnificent ivory throne, and various utensils of gold, 2Chr 9:15-20. His navigation to Tarshish, and the commodities brought thence, 2Chr 9:21. His magnificence and political connections, 2Chr 9:22-28. The writers of his life, 2Chr 9:29. He reigns forty years, and is succeeded by his son Rehoboam, 2Chr 9:30, 2Chr 9:31. Verse 1 The queen of Sheba - See all the particulars of this royal visit distinctly marked and explained in the notes on 1Kgs 10:1-10 (note). The Targum calls her queen of Zemargad.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Chronicles 9:1-12

This history has been considered, 1Ki 10; yet because our Saviour has proposed it as an example in seeking after him, Mt 12:42, we must not pass it over without observing, that those who know the worth of true wisdom will grudge no pains or cost to obtain it. The queen of Sheba put herself to a great deal of trouble and expense to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and yet, learning from him to serve God, and do her duty, she thought herself well paid for her pains. Heavenly wisdom is that pearl of great price, for which, if we part with all, we make a good bargain.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

2 Chronicles 9:1 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וּמַֽלְכַּת\־u.mal.kat-and [the] queen ofH4436

שְׁבָ֗אshe.Va'ShebaH7614

שָֽׁמְעָה֮sha.me.'Ahshe heardH8085

אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853

שֵׁ֣מַעShe.ma'[the] report ofH8088

שְׁלֹמֹה֒she.lo.MohSolomonH8010

וַתָּב֣וֹאva.ta.Vo'and she cameH935

לְנַסּוֹת֩le.na.sOtto put to [the] testH5254

אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853

שְׁלֹמֹ֨הshe.lo.MohSolomonH8010

בְחִיד֜וֹתve.chi.Dotby difficult mattersH2420

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗םbi.ru.sha.Limin JerusalemH3389

בְּחַ֣יִלbe.Cha.yilwith a retinueH2428

כָּבֵ֣דka.VednumerousH3515

מְאֹ֡דme.'OdveryH3966

וּ֠גְמַלִּיםU.ge.ma.limand camelsH1581

נֹשְׂאִ֨יםno.se.'ImcarryingH5375

בְּשָׂמִ֧יםbe.sa.MimspicesH1314

וְזָהָ֛בve.za.Havand goldH2091

לָרֹ֖בla.Roto abundanceH7230

וְאֶ֣בֶןve.'E.venand stone[s]H68

יְקָרָ֑הye.ka.RahpreciousH3368

וַתָּבוֹא֙va.ta.Vo'and she cameH935

אֶל\־'el-toH413

שְׁלֹמֹ֔הshe.lo.MohSolomonH8010

וַתְּדַבֵּ֣רva.te.da.Berand she spokeH1696

עִמּ֔וֹi.Mowith himH5973

אֵ֛ת'et<obj.>H853

כָּל\־kol-allH3605

אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.SherthatH834

הָיָ֖הha.Yahit wasH1961

עִם\־'im-withH5973

לְבָבָֽהּ\׃le.va.Vahheart herH3824

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Chronicles 9:1

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.
Luke 11:31
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
1 Kings 10:1-13
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions. And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, 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: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon’s wisdom, and the house that he had built, …
2 Chronicles 9:9
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.
Isaiah 60:6
The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.
Genesis 10:7
And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
Psalms 49:4
I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
Matthew 13:11
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
1 Samuel 1:15
And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.
Genesis 25:3
And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.
Psalms 78:2
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
Matthew 13:35
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 The queen of Sheba admires the wisdom of Solomon.
13 Solomon's revenue in gold.
15 His targets and shields.
17 The throne of ivory.
20 His vessels.
23 His presents.
25 His chariots and horse.
26 His tributes.
29 His reign and death.

A.M. 3014. B.C. 990. And when. See on
1Ki 10:1,2-13; Mt 12:42; Lu 11:31
Sheba.
Ge 10:7,28; 25:3
fame.
1:1,12; 1Ki 4:31
questions.
Ps 49:4; 78:2; Pr 1:6; Mt 13:11,35
camels.
Ps 72:10,15; Isa 60:6
spices.
9; Mt 2:11
communed.
1Sa 1:15; Ps 142:2; Mt 12:34

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Chronicles 9:1
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.
2 Chronicles 9:2
And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not.

Read all of 2 Chronicles 9

2 Chronicles 9:1 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y OYENDO la reina de Seba la fama de Salomón, vino á Jerusalem con un muy grande séquito, con camellos cargados de aroma, y oro en abundancia, y piedras preciosas, para tentar á Salomón con preguntas difíciles. Y luego que vino á Salomón, habló con él todo lo que en su corazón tenía.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	*Et la reine de Sheba entendit parler de la renommée de Salomon, et elle vint à Jérusalem, pour éprouver Salomon par des énigmes, avec un fort grand train, et des chameaux qui portaient des aromates et de l’or en grande quantité, et des pierres précieuses; et elle vint vers Salomon et parla avec lui de tout ce qu’elle avait sur son cœur.
German Elberfelder 1871	Und die Königin von Scheba hörte den Ruf Salomos; und sie kam nach Jerusalem, um Salomo mit Rätseln zu versuchen, mit einem sehr großen Zuge und mit Kamelen, die Gewürze und Gold trugen in Menge und Edelsteine. Und sie kam zu Salomo und redete mit ihm alles, was in ihrem Herzen war.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Regina quoque Saba, cum audisset famam Salomonis, venit ut tentaret eum in ænigmatibus in Jerusalem, cum magnis opibus et camelis, qui portabant aromata, et auri plurimum, gemmasque pretiosas. Cumque venisset ad Salomonem, locuta est ei quæcumque erant in corde suo.