2 Chronicles 9:6

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

This verse records the profound admission of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon, expressing her astonishment at his wisdom and wealth. It encapsulates the moment when her firsthand experience utterly surpassed all the grand reports she had heard.

Context

The Queen of Sheba, having heard of Solomon's immense fame, journeyed to Jerusalem from a distant land to test him with hard questions and witness his reported glory. Before her arrival, she had heard incredible accounts of his wisdom, the grandeur of his court, and the prosperity of his kingdom. This verse is her direct confession of how inadequate those initial reports were compared to the overwhelming reality she encountered.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Reality Exceeds Reputation: The core message is that Solomon's wisdom and splendor were so extraordinary that even the most glowing reports failed to capture their true magnitude. The Queen's statement, "the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me," powerfully conveys this.
  • Divine Blessing: Solomon's unparalleled wisdom was not merely human intellect but a direct gift from God, as promised in 2 Chronicles 1:12. The Queen's amazement indirectly points to the source of this divine endowment.
  • Overwhelming Abundance: The verse speaks not just of wisdom but implicitly of the wealth and glory that accompanied it, confirming the widespread fame of Solomon's reign as a period of unprecedented prosperity and peace in Israel.
  • Firsthand Experience: The Queen's admission highlights the importance of personal experience and observation over mere hearsay. She only truly believed and understood once her "eyes had seen it."

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me" is a strong expression of hyperbole, or rather, an understatement by the prior reports. It emphasizes the **unimaginable scale** of Solomon's wisdom and riches. It means that what she saw was so vast and magnificent that even the most exaggerated rumors only conveyed a fraction of the truth. The word "exceedest" (Hebrew: yฤtartฤ) signifies that he truly "surpassed" or "was superior to" all the fame she had heard.

Practical Application

For believers, this verse offers several insights:

  • God Exceeds Expectations: Just as Solomon's reality far outshone his reputation, God's goodness, power, and wisdom often exceed our highest expectations and what we hear about Him. Experiencing His presence and blessings firsthand can be far more profound than any testimony.
  • The Value of Direct Experience: The Queen's journey reminds us of the importance of seeking truth and experiencing it for ourselves, rather than relying solely on secondhand accounts.
  • Authenticity and Impact: Genuine wisdom and divine blessing have an undeniable impact that can captivate and convince even skeptics, drawing them to acknowledge the greatness displayed.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 4:34 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    ยถ 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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    ยถ [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!