2 Chronicles 9:1-12

Contemporary English Version

The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon

(1 Kings 10.1-13)

9 ^(A) The Queen of Sheba heard how famous Solomon was, so she went to Jerusalem to test him with difficult questions. She took along several of her officials, and she loaded her camels with gifts of spices, jewels, and gold. When she arrived, she and Solomon talked about everything she could think of. ² He answered every question, no matter how difficult it was.

^3-4 The Queen was amazed at Solomon's wisdom. She was breathless when she saw his palace,^[a] the food on his table, his officials, all his servants in their uniforms, and the sacrifices he offered at the Lord's temple. ⁵ She said:

Solomon, in my own country I had heard about your wisdom and all you've done. ⁶ But I didn't believe it until I saw it with my own eyes! And there's so much I didn't hear about. You are greater than I was told. ⁷ Your people and officials are lucky to be here where they can listen to the wise things you say.

⁸ I praise the Lord your God. He is pleased with you and has made you king of Israel. God loves the people of this country and will never desert them, so he has given them a king who will rule fairly and honestly.

⁹ The Queen of Sheba gave Solomon more than four tons of gold, a large amount of jewels, and the best spices anyone had ever seen.

^10-12 In return, Solomon gave her everything she wanted—even more than she had given him. Then she and her officials went back to their own country.

Solomon's Wealth

(1 Kings 10.14-29)

Hiram's and Solomon's sailors brought gold, juniper wood, and jewels from the country of Ophir. Solomon used the wood to make steps^[b] for the temple and palace, and harps and other stringed instruments for the musicians. Nothing like these had ever been made in Judah.