The Queen of Sheba Visits^(A)

9 When the queen of Sheba heard about Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to ·test [challenge] him with ·hard questions [difficult riddles]. She ·had a large group of servants with her [^Lcame with very great strength; ^Cpossibly referring to her large retinue or great wealth] and camels carrying spices, ·jewels [precious stones], and much gold. When she came to Solomon, she talked with him about all she had ·in mind [^Lon her heart/mind], ² and Solomon answered all her questions. Nothing was ·too hard for him to [hidden from him that he could not] explain to her. ³ The queen of Sheba ·saw [realized; observed] that Solomon was very wise. She saw the ·palace [^Lhouse] he had built, ⁴ the food on his table, ·his many officers [the organization/attendance of his officials], the palace servants and their ·good [fine; splendid] clothes, the ·servants who served Solomon his wine [cupbearers] and their ·good [fine; splendid] clothes. She saw the whole burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] he made in the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord. All these things ·amazed her [overwhelmed her; took her breath away].

⁵ So she said to King Solomon, “What I heard in my own country about your ·achievements [wise sayings; ^Lwords] and wisdom is true. ⁶ I did not believe it then, but now I have come and seen it with my own eyes. I was not told even half of your great wisdom! You ·are much greater than [surpass/exceed what] I had heard. ⁷ Your people and officials are very ·lucky [happy; fortunate; blessed], because in ·always serving [continually standing before] you, they are able to hear your wisdom. ⁸ ·Praise [Blessed be] the Lord your God who ·was pleased to make you king [delights in you]. He has put you on his throne to ·rule [reign] for the Lord your God, because your God loves the people of Israel and ·supports [upholds; secures; establishes] them forever. He has made you king over them to ·keep justice and to rule fairly [rule/act with justice and righteousness].”

⁹ Then she gave the king ·about nine thousand pounds [^L120 talents] of gold and many spices and ·jewels [precious stones]. No one had ever given such spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

¹⁰ ·Hiram’s [or Huram’s; 2:3] men and Solomon’s men brought gold from Ophir [^Cperhaps a region in southern Arabia], ·juniper wood [sandalwood; algum], and ·jewels [precious stones]. ¹¹ King Solomon used the ·juniper wood [sandalwood; algum] to build steps for the ·Temple [^Lhouse] of the Lord and the ·palace [^Lhouse] and to make lyres and harps for the ·musicians [singers]. No one in Judah had ever seen ·such beautiful things as these [anything like them].

¹² King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba everything she ·wanted [desired] and asked for, even more than she had brought to him. Then she and her servants returned to her own country.