Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, [to be] king for the LORD thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.
Blessed {H1288} be the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, which delighted {H2654} in thee to set {H5414} thee on his throne {H3678}, to be king {H4428} for the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}: because thy God {H430} loved {H160} Israel {H3478}, to establish {H5975} them for ever {H5769}, therefore made {H5414} he thee king {H4428} over them, to do {H6213} judgment {H4941} and justice {H6666}.
Blessed be ADONAI your God, who took pleasure in you to put you on his throne, so that you could be king for ADONAI your God. Because of your God's love for Isra'el, to establish them forever, he has made you king over them, to administer law and judgment."
Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you to set you on His throne to be king for the LORD your God. Because your God loved Israel enough to establish them forever, He has made you king over them to carry out justice and righteousness.”
Blessed be Jehovah thy God, who delighted in thee, to set thee on his throne, to be king for Jehovah thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do justice and righteousness.
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2 Chronicles 2:11
¶ Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them. -
1 Chronicles 29:23
¶ Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. -
Deuteronomy 7:8
But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. -
Isaiah 32:1
¶ Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. -
Isaiah 32:2
And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. -
1 Chronicles 28:5
And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. -
Psalms 22:8
He trusted on the LORD [that] he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
In 2 Chronicles 9:8, we hear the profound words of the Queen of Sheba, spoken to King Solomon during her renowned visit to Jerusalem. This verse encapsulates her awe and recognition of the divine hand in Solomon's remarkable reign.
Context
The Queen of Sheba traveled a great distance to witness Solomon's legendary wisdom and prosperity, as detailed in 1 Kings 10:1-13 and 2 Chronicles 9:1-12. Overwhelmed by what she saw and heard, she burst into praise, not merely for Solomon, but for the God who had placed him in such a position of power and blessing. Her words acknowledge a core biblical principle: that true authority and legitimate kingship derive from God himself. This era represents a pinnacle of Israel's national strength and divine favor under Solomon's rule, a period of unparalleled peace and wealth that served as a testament to God's covenant blessings.
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 9:8
The Queen's declaration, "Blessed be the LORD thy God," immediately directs praise to the source of Solomon's greatness. She recognizes that Solomon’s position is not by human design alone, but by divine appointment. The phrase "which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne" highlights God's active pleasure and purposeful choice. The Hebrew word for "delighted" (chaphets) conveys a strong sense of desire, favor, and intentionality, suggesting God took pleasure in establishing Solomon as king. This wasn't a passive allowance but an active, joyful decision on God's part to fulfill His purposes through Solomon.
Solomon is described as "king for the LORD thy God," emphasizing that his rule was not for personal gain or glory, but primarily to serve God's will and administer His kingdom on earth. The ultimate reason for this divine choice is stated clearly: "because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever." This underscores God's enduring covenant love for His people, a theme found throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Deuteronomy 7:8). Solomon's reign was a means to secure Israel's stability and prosperity, part of God’s larger plan to establish His people eternally.
Finally, the verse defines the core responsibility of this divinely appointed king: "therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice." This was the primary mandate for ancient Israelite kings and a recurring theme in the prophetic books concerning righteous leadership (Jeremiah 22:3). "Judgment" (mishpat) refers to the administration of law, fair legal decisions, and upholding rights, while "justice" (tzedakah) implies righteousness, ethical conduct, and ensuring social equity. A king's success was measured by his adherence to these principles, reflecting God's own character of righteousness and justice.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
Practical Application
This verse offers timeless insights for believers today. It reminds us that all authority, whether in government, family, or workplace, ultimately derives from God (Romans 13:1). Those in leadership are called to serve "for the LORD," prioritizing God's will and the well-being of those under their care. Furthermore, the emphasis on "judgment and justice" serves as a perpetual reminder that righteousness and fairness are foundational to godly leadership and should be pursued in all spheres of influence. We are all called to seek justice and love righteousness in our own lives, reflecting the character of our just God.