2 Chronicles 9:4

And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

And the meat {H3978} of his table {H7979}, and the sitting {H4186} of his servants {H5650}, and the attendance {H4612} of his ministers {H8334}, and their apparel {H4403}; his cupbearers {H8248} also, and their apparel {H4403}; and his ascent {H5944} by which he went up {H5927} into the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}; there was no more spirit {H7307} in her.

the food at his table, the manner of seating his officials, the manner in which his staff served him and how they were dressed, his personal servants and how they were dressed, and his manner of going up to the house of ADONAI, it left her breathless.

the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants and cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.

and the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, his cupbearers also, and their apparel, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of Jehovah; there was no more spirit in her.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 9:4 vividly describes the overwhelming impression King Solomon's court and devotion made on the Queen of Sheba. This verse details the lavishness and order of his royal household, from the food on his table to the attire of his servants and ministers, and even the solemnity of his ascent to the House of the LORD. The cumulative effect of this spectacle left her utterly breathless and astonished.

Context

This verse is part of the narrative detailing the Queen of Sheba's visit to Jerusalem, as recounted in 2 Chronicles 9 and a parallel account in 1 Kings 10. Having heard of King Solomon's immense fame and wisdom, she traveled from a distant land to test him with "hard questions." After witnessing his profound wisdom firsthand (2 Chronicles 9:2) and observing the unparalleled grandeur and meticulous organization of his kingdom, his palace, his retinue, and crucially, his devotion to God, she was completely overwhelmed. Verse 4 specifically lists the elements that contributed to her astonishment after she had seen his wisdom and the house he had built (2 Chronicles 9:3).

Key Themes

  • Solomon's Unparalleled Glory: The detailed description of his table, servants, ministers, cupbearers, and their apparel showcases the extraordinary wealth and efficient administration of Solomon's kingdom. This was a direct result of God's blessings on Solomon, fulfilling the promise to grant him riches and honor in addition to wisdom.
  • Profound Astonishment: The phrase "there was no more spirit in her" vividly conveys the Queen's utter amazement. It implies she was left speechless, breathless, and completely overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of Solomon's wisdom, wealth, and the order of his court. This awe extended beyond mere material possessions to the spiritual atmosphere and divine favor evident in his reign.
  • Wisdom and Piety Combined: The inclusion of "his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD" is significant. It shows that her awe was not merely for his material splendor but also for his spiritual devotion and the centrality of the Temple in his life. This connection between his wisdom, wealth, and worship highlighted the source of his greatness.

Linguistic Insights

The powerful phrase "there was no more spirit in her" (KJV) translates the Hebrew idiom ื•ึฐืœึนื ื”ึธื™ึธื” ื‘ึธื”ึผ ืขื•ึนื“ ืจื•ึผื—ึท (v'lo hayah bah 'od ruach), literally "and there was no more breath/spirit in her." This expression signifies a state of profound shock, utter astonishment, or being completely overcome. It's similar to saying someone was "left breathless" or "lost their breath" due to an overwhelming experience. It emphasizes the deep emotional and physical impact of what she witnessed, far beyond simple admiration.

Practical Application

This passage offers several insights for today:

  • The Impact of God's Blessings: When God blesses a person with wisdom and resources, it can be a powerful testimony to others. Solomon's glory was not just for his own benefit but also served to magnify God's name among the nations.
  • Beyond the Material: While the Queen was impressed by material wealth, the verse highlights that his devotion and connection to the Temple of the Lord were also key components of his awe-inspiring presence. True greatness often encompasses spiritual depth alongside earthly success.
  • Seeking True Wisdom: The Queen sought Solomon for wisdom. Similarly, we are called to seek wisdom above all else, understanding that all true wisdom ultimately comes from God (James 1:5).
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 44:3

    [It is] for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by the way of the porch of [that] gate, and shall go out by the way of the same.

  • Luke 12:37

    Blessed [are] those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

  • Proverbs 9:5

    Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine [which] I have mingled.

  • Nehemiah 1:11

    O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.

  • Psalms 119:81

    ยถ CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: [but] I hope in thy word.

  • 1 Chronicles 9:18

    Who hitherto [waited] in the king's gate eastward: they [were] porters in the companies of the children of Levi.

  • John 6:53

    Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
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