2 Chronicles 9:6

KJV

Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen [it]: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: [for] thou exceedest the fame that I heard.

KJV (with Strong's)

Howbeit I believed {H539} not their words {H1697}, until I came {H935}, and mine eyes {H5869} had seen {H7200} it: and, behold, the one half {H2677} of the greatness {H4768} of thy wisdom {H2451} was not told {H5046} me: for thou exceedest {H3254} the fame {H8052} that I heard {H8085}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but I couldn't believe the report until I came and saw for myself. Actually, they didn't tell me even half of how great your wisdom is. In reality, you surpass the reports I heard.

Berean Standard Bible

But I did not believe the reports until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not half of the greatness of your wisdom was told to me. You have far exceeded the report I heard.

American Standard Version

Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it; and, behold, the half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: thou exceedest the fame that I heard.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Queen of Sheba's confession in 2 Chronicles 9:6 marks a pivotal moment where firsthand experience utterly eclipses all prior reports and expectations. Having traveled from afar to test King Solomon with challenging questions, she is overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of his wisdom, the splendor of his court, and the prosperity of his kingdom, acknowledging that even the most extravagant rumors failed to convey half of the reality before her eyes. This verse powerfully underscores the unparalleled nature of God's blessing upon Solomon, which manifested in a wisdom and glory that defied mere description.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of the Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon, detailed in [2 Chronicles 9:1-12](/2_chronicles/9 "2 Chronicles 9 - The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon"). The narrative begins with her hearing of Solomon's fame and journeying to Jerusalem "to test him with hard questions" ([2 Chronicles 9:1](/2_chronicles/9-1 "2 Chronicles 9:1 - Queen of Sheba Tests Solomon")). Verses [2 Chronicles 9:2-5](/2_chronicles/9-2 "2 Chronicles 9:2-5 - Solomon Answers the Queen's Questions") describe Solomon's ability to answer all her inquiries and her profound astonishment at the wisdom, the order of his court, the provisions, and the temple. Her confession in verse 6 serves as the ultimate validation of Solomon's divinely bestowed wisdom, echoing the promise made to him by God in [2 Chronicles 1:12](/2_chronicles/1-12 "2 Chronicles 1:12 - God Grants Solomon Wisdom and Riches"). It highlights the fulfillment of God's covenant blessings upon the Davidic king, demonstrating the glory and stability of his reign.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Queen of Sheba's visit, also recounted in [1 Kings 10](/1_kings/10 "1 Kings 10 - Solomon's Riches and the Queen of Sheba"), reflects the diplomatic and economic realities of the ancient Near East. Sheba was likely a powerful kingdom in modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia, known for its lucrative trade routes in spices, gold, and precious stones (as evidenced by her gifts in [2 Chronicles 9:9](/2_chronicles/9-9 "2 Chronicles 9:9 - Queen of Sheba's Gifts")). Kings and rulers often exchanged gifts and visited one another to forge alliances, establish trade agreements, and demonstrate their own power and prestige. The act of "testing" a king with "hard questions" was a common practice to assess a ruler's wisdom, discernment, and administrative capacity, which were considered vital for effective governance and a sign of divine favor. Solomon's reputation had clearly spread far and wide, indicating the significant influence and recognition of his kingdom in the region.

* **Key Themes:** The verse profoundly contributes to several key themes within Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Wisdom and Blessing**, showcasing Solomon's unparalleled intellect as a direct gift from God, not merely human acumen. This wisdom, coupled with immense wealth and glory, serves as a tangible demonstration of God's faithfulness to His promises to Solomon and David. Secondly, it highlights the **Supremacy of Firsthand Experience** over secondhand reports, underscoring that the reality of God's blessings often far exceeds human imagination or description. The Queen's journey from skepticism to profound awe illustrates the transformative power of direct encounter. Finally, the narrative subtly points to **God's Universal Sovereignty**, as even a foreign monarch from a distant land is compelled to acknowledge the extraordinary nature of Solomon's reign, implicitly recognizing the God who blessed him. This foreshadows the future ingathering of the nations to God's light, a theme found throughout prophetic literature (e.g., [Isaiah 2:2-4](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2-4 - The Mountain of the Lord's House")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Believed not (Hebrew, _'āman'_):** This verb signifies "to be firm, trustworthy, reliable," and in the Hiphil stem, "to believe, trust." The Queen's initial state was one of skepticism or at least an inability to fully credit the reports she heard. Her confession, "I believed not their words," indicates a rational doubt that such grandeur could truly exist, highlighting the extraordinary nature of what she eventually witnessed. It speaks to the human tendency to limit belief to what seems plausible, until confronted with overwhelming evidence.
* **Greatness (Hebrew, _g'dullah'_):** This noun refers to "greatness, majesty, magnificent power." Here, it specifically describes the immense scale and magnificence of Solomon's wisdom, wealth, and kingdom. It's not just "wisdom" but the "greatness of thy wisdom," implying an extraordinary, unparalleled magnitude that transcends ordinary understanding. This term emphasizes the overwhelming, almost incomprehensible, nature of what the Queen encountered.
* **Exceedest (Hebrew, _yātar'_):** This verb means "to remain, be left over, excel, surpass." In this context, it conveys that Solomon "surpassed" or "was superior to" the fame that preceded him. The reality of his wisdom and glory was not just equal to the reports, but went beyond them, leaving a surplus of wonder and astonishment. This word highlights the idea of abundance and overflowing blessing that characterized Solomon's reign.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen [it]:"** This opening clause reveals the Queen's initial posture of skepticism. Despite hearing numerous reports about Solomon's wisdom and wealth, she harbored doubt, finding the accounts too grand to be true. Her belief was contingent upon firsthand verification. The phrase "until I came, and mine eyes had seen [it]" emphasizes the critical role of personal, empirical evidence in overcoming her incredulity. It underscores the transformative power of direct experience over mere hearsay.
* **"and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me:"** This is the core of her astonishing confession. The Queen declares that what she had heard was only a fraction—less than half—of the immense reality of Solomon's wisdom and splendor. This is a powerful expression of hyperbole, indicating that the actual experience far exceeded even the most exaggerated rumors. Her use of "behold" (וְהִנֵּה, *w'hinnēh*) expresses a sudden, overwhelming realization and astonishment at the magnitude of what she witnessed.
* **"[for] thou exceedest the fame that I heard."** This concluding statement summarizes her profound realization. The reality of Solomon's person, his wisdom, and his kingdom not only met but significantly surpassed all the widespread renown and reports that had reached her distant land. This confirms that the direct encounter with Solomon's divinely gifted wisdom and the glory of his reign left an indelible impression, proving the reports to be a severe understatement.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey the Queen's profound astonishment. **Hyperbole** (or perhaps more accurately, **Meiosis** or **Understatement** by the prior reports) is prominent in the phrase "the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me," dramatically emphasizing that the reality far exceeded the most extravagant rumors. This serves to magnify Solomon's wisdom and glory in the reader's mind. The verse also functions as a powerful **Testimony** or **Witness**, as a foreign dignitary, initially skeptical, offers an undeniable affirmation of Solomon's unparalleled wisdom. This lends credibility and weight to the Chronicler's portrayal of Solomon's reign as a period of immense divine blessing. Furthermore, a clear **Contrast** is drawn between "their words" (hearsay, reputation) and "mine eyes had seen [it]" (firsthand experience, reality), highlighting the superior impact and truthfulness of direct observation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Queen of Sheba's confession is a powerful testament to the exceeding abundance of God's blessings and wisdom, which often surpass human comprehension and expectation. Solomon's wisdom was not merely intellectual prowess but a divine endowment, a manifestation of God's own character and faithfulness. Just as the Queen found Solomon's reality to be far greater than his reputation, so too does God's nature, power, and love consistently exceed anything we can imagine or hear about Him. This narrative serves as a reminder that true spiritual experience often moves beyond secondhand accounts to a transformative, personal encounter with the living God, revealing depths of His glory that mere words cannot capture. It underscores that God's ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than ours, and His capacity to bless and reveal Himself is boundless.

* [1 Kings 10:7](/1_kings/10-7 "1 Kings 10:7 - Parallel Account of Queen of Sheba's Confession")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts are Higher than Our Thoughts")
* [Ephesians 3:20](/ephesians/3-20 "Ephesians 3:20 - God's Power to Do Exceedingly Abundantly")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Queen of Sheba's journey from skepticism to awe provides a profound model for our own spiritual lives. We often hear reports about God's goodness, power, and wisdom, whether through scripture, sermons, or the testimonies of others. Yet, like the Queen, our faith truly deepens when we move beyond mere hearsay to a personal, firsthand encounter with God. This verse challenges us to actively seek and experience God's reality for ourselves, to allow His presence and truth to overwhelm our preconceived notions and limited expectations. It encourages a pursuit of genuine spiritual wisdom that transforms our lives and evokes a similar sense of wonder and worship. When our lives are genuinely marked by God's wisdom and blessing, they become a compelling testimony that can draw others to acknowledge the greatness of God, just as Solomon's life drew the Queen of Sheba.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "reports" or secondhand accounts about God have I believed, and how might I seek a deeper, more personal experience of His truth and presence?**
* **In what areas of my life might God's goodness or power "exceed the fame that I heard," and how can I open myself to that greater reality?**
* **How does my life, like Solomon's, reflect the wisdom and blessing of God in a way that might cause others to acknowledge His greatness?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of the Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the Queen of Sheba's visit was to "test him with hard questions" ([2 Chronicles 9:1](/2_chronicles/9-1 "2 Chronicles 9:1 - Queen of Sheba Tests Solomon")), essentially to verify the extraordinary reports she had heard about Solomon's unparalleled wisdom and the splendor of his kingdom. It was a diplomatic mission to assess his capabilities, perhaps to establish trade relations or alliances, but fundamentally driven by curiosity and a desire to witness firsthand the phenomenon of Solomon's divinely bestowed wisdom, which had gained international renown. Her journey was a significant undertaking, underscoring the immense reputation Solomon had cultivated.

**Does the Bible provide details about the "hard questions" the Queen of Sheba asked Solomon?**

Answer: While both [2 Chronicles 9](/2_chronicles/9 "2 Chronicles 9 - The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon") and [1 Kings 10](/1_kings/10 "1 Kings 10 - Solomon's Riches and the Queen of Sheba") mention that she came to test Solomon with "hard questions," the biblical text does not provide the specific content of these questions. The narrative focuses on the outcome: Solomon "answered all her questions; nothing was hidden from Solomon that he could not explain to her" ([2 Chronicles 9:2](/2_chronicles/9-2 "2 Chronicles 9:2 - Solomon Answers the Queen's Questions")). The lack of detail emphasizes Solomon's comprehensive wisdom rather than the nature of the riddles or inquiries themselves.

**How did Solomon's wisdom come to be so renowned?**

Answer: Solomon's wisdom was a direct gift from God. Early in his reign, when God appeared to him and offered him anything he desired, Solomon humbly asked for "wisdom and knowledge to govern this great people of yours" ([2 Chronicles 1:10](/2_chronicles/1-10 "2 Chronicles 1:10 - Solomon Asks for Wisdom")). God was pleased with his request and granted him not only unparalleled wisdom but also riches and honor ([2 Chronicles 1:12](/2_chronicles/1-12 "2 Chronicles 1:12 - God Grants Solomon Wisdom and Riches")). This divine endowment manifested in his just judgments, his vast knowledge (including botany and zoology, as mentioned in [1 Kings 4:33](/1_kings/4-33 "1 Kings 4:33 - Solomon's Knowledge of Nature")), his proverbs and songs, and his ability to administer a prosperous kingdom, all of which contributed to his widespread fame.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While King Solomon's wisdom and glory were astonishing, drawing even foreign monarchs to marvel, they ultimately served as a shadow and foretaste of the infinitely greater wisdom and glory embodied in Jesus Christ. Solomon's wisdom, though divinely given, was limited by his humanity and eventually tarnished by his own failures. In contrast, Jesus Christ is the very **incarnation of divine wisdom**, in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - All Treasures of Wisdom in Christ")). He is not merely a recipient of wisdom, but Wisdom itself, the Word through whom all things were made ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God")). The Queen of Sheba traveled a great distance to see Solomon; yet, Jesus declares, "Behold, something greater than Solomon is here" ([Matthew 12:42](/matthew/12-42 "Matthew 12:42 - The Queen of the South and Jesus")). The "fame" of Solomon, however great, pales in comparison to the reality of Christ, who is the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")). Just as the Queen's eyes saw a reality that exceeded all reports, so too does the experience of knowing Christ surpass all human expectation and description, offering not just earthly wisdom, but eternal life and the profound, unsearchable riches of God's grace ([Ephesians 3:8](/ephesians/3-8 "Ephesians 3:8 - Unsearchable Riches of Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 4:34

And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.

1 Kings 4:31

For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.

Zechariah 9:17

For how great [is] his goodness, and how great [is] his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.

Song Of Solomon 5:9

¶ What [is] thy beloved more than [another] beloved, O thou fairest among women? what [is] thy beloved more than [another] beloved, that thou dost so charge us?

Song Of Solomon 5:16

His mouth [is] most sweet: yea, he [is] altogether lovely. This [is] my beloved, and this [is] my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 9:5

And she said to the king, [It was] a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom:

Psalms 31:19

¶ [Oh] how great [is] thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; [which] thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!