Study This Verse
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 9 verses 1–12
This passage of story had been largely considered in the Kings; yet, because our Saviour has proposed it as an example to us in our enquiries after him (Mat 12:42), we must not pass it over without observing briefly, 1. Those who honour God he will honour, Sa1 2:30. Solomon had greatly honoured God, in building, beautifying, and dedicating the temple; all his wisdom and all his wealth were employed for the making of that a consummate piece: and now God made his wisdom and wealth to redound greatly to his reputation. The way to have both the credit and comfort of all our endowments and all our enjoyments is to consecrate them to God and use them for him. 2. Those who know the worth of true wisdom will grudge no pains nor 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 which is a good bargain to purchase by parting with all that we have. 3. As every man has received the gift so he ought to minister the same for the edification of others, as he has opportunity. Solomon was communicative of his wisdom and willing to teach others what he knew himself. Being taught of God, freely he had received, and freely he gave. Let those that are rich in wisdom, as well as wealth, learn to do good and be ready to distribute. Give to every one that asketh. 4. Good order in a family, a great family, especially in the things of God, and a regular discharge of the duties of religious worship, are highly expedient, and to be much admired wherever found. The queen of Sheba was exceedingly affected to see the propriety with which Solomon's servants attended him and with which both he and they attended in the house of God. David's ascent to the house of the Lord was also pleasant and interesting, Psa 42:4. 5. Those are happy who have the opportunity of a constant converse with such as are knowing, wise, and good. The queen of Sheba thought Solomon's servants happy who continually heard his wisdom; for, it seems, even to them he was communicative. And it is observable that the posterity of those who had places in his court were willing to have the names of their ancestors forgotten, and thought themselves sufficiently distinguished and dignified when they were called the children of Solomon's servants (Ezr 2:55; Neh 7:57); so eminent were they that it was honour enough to be named from them. 6. We ought to rejoice and give God thanks for the gifts, graces, and usefulness, of others. The queen of Sheba blessed God for the honour he put upon Solomon, and the favour he did to Israel, in advancing him to the throne, Ch2 9:8. By giving God the praise of the prosperity of others, we share in the comfort of it; whereas, by envying the prosperity of others, we lose the comfort even of our own. The happiness of both king and kingdom she traces up to the fountain of all bliss, the divine favour: it was because thy God delighted in thee and because he loved Israel. Those mercies are doubly sweet in which we can taste the kindness and good will of God as our God. 7. It becomes those that are wise and good to be generous according to their place and power. The queen of Sheba was so to Solomon, Solomon was so to her, Ch2 9:9, Ch2 9:12. They both knew how to value wisdom, and therefore were neither of them covetous of their money, but cultivated the acquaintance and confirmed the friendship they had contracted by mutual presents. Our Lord Jesus has promised to give us all our desire: Ask, and it shall be given you. Let us study what we shall render to him, and not think any thing too much to do, or suffer, or part with, for him.
Continue studying 2 Chronicles 9:2 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
- BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
- Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
- ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
- NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
- STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
- BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
- USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
- BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
- StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
- BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
- Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
- Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
- Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
- SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.

SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 9:2 profoundly illustrates the apex of King Solomon's divinely-granted wisdom during the Queen of Sheba's pivotal visit. This verse unequivocally declares that Solomon comprehensively answered every inquiry and enigma she presented, leaving no question unresolved or beyond his profound understanding. It stands as a powerful testament to the complete fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon regarding his unparalleled discernment and insight.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to underscore the profound nature of Solomon's wisdom. Hyperbole is powerfully evident in the phrase "there was nothing hid from Solomon," which dramatically emphasizes the absolute completeness of his knowledge, suggesting an almost divine level of insight. This is further strengthened by the Repetition of the verb "told" and the subsequent Negation in "which he told her not," creating a strong rhetorical flourish that leaves no doubt about the exhaustive nature of his replies. The structure of the verse also demonstrates Parallelism, with the second clause reinforcing and expanding upon the first, building a crescendo of affirmation regarding Solomon's unparalleled understanding. These devices collectively serve to elevate Solomon's wisdom to a legendary status, preparing the reader for the Queen's awe-struck response in the verses that follow.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The account of Solomon's wisdom, as epitomized in 2 Chronicles 9:2, is a profound theological statement about the nature of divine wisdom and God's faithfulness to His promises. Solomon's ability to answer every question, leaving "nothing hid," is not merely a testament to human intellect but a direct manifestation of God's supernatural endowment. This wisdom was granted by God in response to Solomon's humble request for a discerning heart to govern His people (2 Chronicles 1:10), demonstrating that true wisdom originates from and is sustained by God. It underscores the biblical principle that God delights in revealing truth to those who seek it and that His wisdom is comprehensive, capable of illuminating every mystery and solving every enigma.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, particularly 2 Chronicles 9:2, offers a powerful model for seeking and applying wisdom in our lives. In a world saturated with information yet often starved for true understanding, Solomon's example reminds us that genuine wisdom comes from a divine source. His ability to answer "all her questions" without anything being "hid" speaks to a comprehensive and discerning insight that is deeply needed today. For believers, this account encourages us to diligently seek God's wisdom through His Word and prayer, trusting that He will illuminate our paths and equip us to navigate complex situations. Furthermore, it challenges us to be people of understanding and clarity, able to articulate truth and offer guidance to those who seek answers, reflecting the light of Christ in a confused world. Our lives should be a testimony to the transformative power of God's wisdom, enabling us to respond to life's "hard questions" with discernment and grace.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What kind of "questions" did the Queen of Sheba ask Solomon?
Answer: The Hebrew word used in the parallel account, chidot (חִידוֹת), refers to riddles, enigmas, or perplexing problems, not just simple inquiries. This suggests the Queen posed profound intellectual challenges and complex dilemmas designed to truly test the limits of Solomon's famed wisdom. Her goal was to ascertain if his reputation for extraordinary insight was indeed accurate. Solomon's ability to unravel all these chidot without exception further solidified his reputation for profound and divinely-inspired insight, as detailed in 2 Chronicles 9:2.
Why was it important for Solomon to answer all of the Queen's questions?
Answer: In the ancient Near East, a king's wisdom was seen as a direct reflection of divine favor and a crucial aspect of his ability to rule justly and prosperously. For Solomon, answering all of the Queen's challenging questions, leaving "nothing hid," was paramount. It validated God's promise to him of unparalleled wisdom (1 Kings 3:12), confirmed his divine mandate, and solidified his international reputation. His comprehensive answers demonstrated that his wisdom was not merely human intellect but a supernatural gift from God, bringing glory to God and enhancing Israel's standing among nations.
Does this account of the Queen of Sheba and Solomon have any New Testament significance?
Answer: Yes, this account is referenced by Jesus Himself in the New Testament. In Matthew 12:42, Jesus states, "The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here." This reference highlights the Queen's diligent pursuit of truth and wisdom, contrasting it with the spiritual blindness of those who rejected Jesus, who is the ultimate embodiment of divine wisdom. Her journey serves as a powerful indictment against those who had the very Son of God among them, yet refused to listen.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The unparalleled wisdom of Solomon, so strikingly demonstrated in his ability to answer all the Queen of Sheba's questions with nothing "hid" from his understanding (2 Chronicles 9:2), serves as a rich foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. Solomon's wisdom, though divinely given, was finite and ultimately imperfect, yet it pointed to the One who is the very embodiment of God's perfect wisdom. In Christ, "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). Unlike Solomon, who received wisdom as a gift, Jesus is Wisdom incarnate, the "power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24). He is the ultimate answer to humanity's deepest questions, the one who fully reveals the Father, for "no one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known" (John 1:18). Where Solomon's wisdom brought the Queen of Sheba to awe, Christ's wisdom brings salvation and eternal life, for He is "the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). The Queen sought answers from a king; we find ultimate answers and perfect revelation in our King of Kings, Jesus Christ, who is infinitely greater than Solomon.