Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary2 Chronicles 9

Francis D. Nichol (ed.) and contributors

2 Chronicles 9:1

Queen of Sheba. Verses 1–12 deal with the visit of the queen of Sheba. The narrative is parallel to 1 Kings 10:1–13, with only slight variations in the two accounts. Modern archaeologists now generally place Sheba in southern Arabia (see on 1 Kings 10:1).

Ellen G. White

We see danger in the bestowal of rich gifts or of words of commendation upon human agencies. Those who are favored by the Lord need to be on guard constantly, lest pride or self-esteem obtain the supremacy. He who has an unusual following, he who has received words of commendation from the Lord, needs the special prayers of God’s faithful watchmen, that he may be shielded from the danger of cherishing thoughts of self-esteem and spiritual pride. Never is such a man to manifest self-importance, or attempt to act as a dictator or a ruler. Faithfully should his brethren warn him of his dangers; for, if left to himself, he will surely make mistakes, and reveal human frailties.

In studying Solomon’s history, we can see clearly that the very ones who flattered and praised and glorified the man of ability are the ones who did not recognize and glorify God for the blessings He bestowed upon them through the human instrumentality. They supported and glorified the man; God was dishonored; and therefore the Lord found the vessel He had ordained and used in His sacred service, becoming unclean. The sentiments, the spirit, and the likeness of the natural man began to appear, and he who once was doing God’s will, became corrupted through human exaltations. Then the feebleness and weakness of man was revealed by the choice of injudicious friends, whose course of action helped the tempter to ensnare the man. The Lord allowed him to be ensnared, because he went on to exalt his own wisdom, and made not God his trust. He would not be counseled; he would walk in his own way....

The Lord sets men in positions of responsibility to carry out not their own will, but God’s will. He gives wisdom to those who seek Him and depend upon Him as their Counselor. So long as men represent the pure principles of His government, He will continue to bless and maintain them as His instrumentalities to carry out His purposes concerning His people. He cooperates with those who cooperate with Him.... The test by which Solomon was measured, is used to measure all (Manuscript 81, 1900).

2 Chronicles 9:4

Ascent. Heb. ‘aliyyah, “a roof chamber.” However, the reading should probably be ‘olah as in 1 Kings 10:5. ‘Olah may be translated “burnt offering.” Since ‘olah is, literally, “that which goes up,” some think that a causeway may be indicated, such as one providing the king with a private way from his palace to the Temple (see 1 Chron. 26:16; see on 1 Kings 10:5).

2 Chronicles 9:7

Thy servants. When masters are servants of the Lord of heaven, those who are in their service will find happiness. At this time Solomon had not yet forsaken the Lord, but was devoted to His service. He loved God and had compassion on men. With the peace of God in his heart, Solomon was kind, patient, and considerate. Men close to him felt the spell of his influence. The great need of today is for leaders who reflect the spirit of Heaven, that those under their guidance may find true joy and lasting happiness.

2 Chronicles 9:8

Blessed be the Lord. See on 1 Kings 10:9. After Solomon told the queen of Sheba the secret of his wisdom, peace, and prosperity, she was led to extol not the king but God. If Solomon had always remained true to the Lord, his influence would have continued to go out to the world for good, and many who had not known God would have been led to

give honor to Him. From Jerusalem a light might thus have gone out to all the world which would have brought men out of all lands from darkness to light. God loved Israel. The queen of Sheba had learned of God’s love for His people from the witness that came from Solomon’s lips. No doubt Solomon related to the queen the history of God’s marvelous dealings with Israel, and she returned to her native land with a deep impression on her heart of the greatness of Israel’s God.

2 Chronicles 9:9

Hundred and twenty talents. If these were talents of about 75 lb. (34 kg.; see Vol. I, p. 164), the weight of gold would be 4.5 tons (4.1 metric tons); however, we cannot be sure what scale of weights was here used. The earthly treasure that the queen of Sheba left with Solomon was of small moment as compared with the heavenly treasure that had opened to her.

2 Chronicles 9:10

Servants also of Huram. The parallel passage in 1 Kings 10:11 reads, “The navy also of Hiram.” Gold from Ophir. See on 1 Kings 10:11.

2 Chronicles 9:11

Algum trees. These trees cannot now be identified with any degree of certainty (see on ch. 2:8). Terraces. Heb. mesilloth, “highways.” The parallel passage (1 Kings 10:12) has mis‘ad, “pillars,” which should perhaps be read here also (see on 1 Kings 10:12).

2 Chronicles 9:12

Which she had brought. The parallel passage (1 Kings 10:13) reads instead, “which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty.” Solomon gave to the queen return presents. The giving was not all on one side. Solomon was as generous as his visitor, and gave gifts to her, perhaps of a value equal to or even greater than those which she had given to him.

2 Chronicles 9:13

Six hundred and threescore and six. For an attempted evaluation of this amount see on 1 Kings 10:14. Verses 13–28 deal with Solomon’s income, treasures, foreign trade, horses, and chariots. The parallel section is 1 Kings 10:14–29; 4:26.

2 Chronicles 9:14

Chapmen. Heb. ’anshe hattarim, translated “merchantmen” in 1 Kings 10:15. Tarim is from tur, which means “to seek out,” “to spy out,” “to explore,” and probably denotes a merchant as one who seeks out or explores. The word translated “merchants” is from a root meaning “to travel about.”

2 Chronicles 9:15

Targets. Heb. ṣinnah, large shields (see on 1 Kings 10:16). Six hundred shekels. Possibly about 15 lb. (6.8 kg.). Shields of gold would probably not be used for protection in battle, but for display. Gold was extensively employed for display in the ancient Orient. The king of Ur had a helmet of gold. In Egypt royal coffins were made of gold.

2 Chronicles 9:16

Shields. Heb. maginnim, shields, evidently smaller than the sinnah (v. 15). There is a suggestion that the royal bodyguard in later years comprised 500 men in the fact that 5 “captains of hundreds” are mentioned who were presumably in command of the palace guards (ch. 23:1). That these guards were divided into two groups, one of 200 men and another of 300 men, is hinted in 2 Kings 11:5–7, 9, 10, where three parts, or companies, are named as those “that enter in on the sabbath,” or were on guard on the Sabbath, and two were those “that go forth on the sabbath.” If these deductions are correct, the 200 “targets” and the 300 “shields” may have been worn by the royal bodyguard at certain state functions. Solomon’s personal bodyguard is described as consisting of 60 men on a

particular occasion when the king’s litter was carried through the streets of Jerusalem in magnificent display (S. of Sol. 3:7–10, margin). Three hundred shekels. Probably about 71/2 lb. (3.4 kg.). House of the forest. The golden shields were evidently not often used and on normal occasions were hung in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

2 Chronicles 9:17

Throne of ivory. See on 1 Kings 10:18–20.

Ellen G. White

17-22. See EGW on Ecclesiastes 1:14.

2 Chronicles 9:18

Stays. Presumably arms at the sides of the throne, which were possibly supported by lions.

2 Chronicles 9:20

Vessels of the house. The fact that there were such vessels of gold in the house of the forest of Lebanon has led some to believe that this building was used for banqueting purposes. For a description of this building see on 1 Kings 7:2–6. None were of silver. Compare v. 27.

2 Chronicles 9:21

Tarshish. See on the parallel passage, 1 Kings 10:22, which reads: “For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish.”

2 Chronicles 9:22

Riches. See on 1 Kings 10:23.

Ellen G. White

22, 23 (1 Kings 10:23, 24). God Endows Man With Talent—[2 Chronicles 9:22, 23 quoted.] This honor was not brought about by Solomon himself. God gave to him the talents of influence and of great wisdom. Let all remember that tact and ability do not come from the natural man. Those who depend upon ministers or upon any other men whom they regard as superior to themselves, should understand that God is the One who endows man with talent.

2 Chronicles 9:23

All the kings. See on 1 Kings 10:24.

2 Chronicles 9:24

A rate year by year. The kings who were in vassalage to Solomon (v. 26) were required to bring a fixed annual tribute (see on 1 Kings 10:25).

2 Chronicles 9:25

Stalls. See on 1 Kings 4:26.

2 Chronicles 9:26

Over all. See on 1 Kings 4:21.

2 Chronicles 9:28

Out of Egypt. See on 1 Kings 10:28; 2 Chron. 1:16.

2 Chronicles 9:29

Rest of the acts. Verses 29–31 close the narrative of Solomon’s reign. The statements concerning Solomon’s many wives, his wandering after strange gods, the adversaries whom the Lord stirred up against him, and the prediction of the disruption of his kingdom found in 1 Kings 11:1–40 do not appear in Chronicles. Are they not written? A number of important records that dealt with the life and times of Solomon are here named. These sources doubtless contained many items that were not incorporated in a summary history such as Chronicles. Ahijah the Shilonite. For incidents in the life of this prophet see 1 Kings 11:29–39; 14:2–18.

2 Chronicles 9:30

Forty years. Compare 1 Kings 11:42.

2 Chronicles 9:31

Slept with his fathers. Verses 29–31 exhibit a typical official closing formula henceforth used in the records of the various kings (see on 1 Kings 11:43).