2 Chronicles 9:8

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Queen of Sheba's declaration in 2 Chronicles 9:8 serves as a profound theological statement, acknowledging that King Solomon's extraordinary wisdom, prosperity, and reign were not merely human achievements but direct manifestations of God's delight, sovereign appointment, and enduring love for Israel. Her words underscore the divine origin of true authority, establishing that Solomon was enthroned by God to administer judgment and justice, thereby securing the perpetual establishment of God's chosen people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the climax of the Queen of Sheba’s visit to King Solomon, an event detailed in 2 Chronicles 9:1-12, paralleled in 1 Kings 10:1-13. Her journey was prompted by Solomon’s widespread fame for wisdom and wealth. Upon witnessing his unparalleled splendor, the organization of his kingdom, and his profound insights, she was utterly overwhelmed, declaring that the half had not been told. Her praise, however, quickly transcends Solomon himself, redirecting glory to the God who had so blessed him. This declaration immediately precedes her lavish gifts to Solomon and her departure, marking the zenith of Solomon's reign in terms of international recognition and divine favor, before the narrative shifts to his later decline.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Solomon's reign (c. 970-931 BC) represented a golden age for ancient Israel, a period of unprecedented peace, wealth, and influence, largely due to his father David's conquests and Solomon's own strategic alliances and administrative prowess. Jerusalem, with its newly completed Temple and royal palace, had become a significant regional power and cultural center. The Queen of Sheba, likely ruling a prosperous kingdom in modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia, would have traveled a considerable distance, indicating the immense reputation Solomon had garnered. In the ancient Near East, a king's success was often attributed to the favor of his gods, but the Queen's specific praise of "the LORD thy God" (Yahweh) is remarkable, indicating a recognition of the unique God of Israel as the true source of Solomon's power and wisdom. Kings were expected to be guardians of justice and righteousness, a mandate deeply embedded in Israelite covenant theology, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 17:18-20](/deuteronomy/17-18 "Deuteronomy 17:18-20 - Duties of the King").
* **Key Themes:** The Queen of Sheba's declaration highlights several pivotal themes central to Chronicles and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Sovereignty and Appointment**, demonstrating that human leadership, especially kingship, is ultimately established and sustained by God's will and delight, not by human merit or power alone. This echoes the divine election of David and his lineage, as promised in [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant"). Secondly, it underscores **God's Enduring Covenant Love for Israel**, revealing that Solomon's reign was a means to fulfill God's promise to establish His people "for ever." This concept of divine faithfulness to the covenant is a recurring motif, foundational to Israel's identity and hope, exemplified in [Isaiah 43:4](/isaiah/43-4 "Isaiah 43:4 - God's Love for His People"). Thirdly, the verse articulates the **Mandate for Righteous Governance**, stressing that the primary purpose of a divinely appointed king is to "do judgment and justice," reflecting God's own character and ensuring the well-being and equity of His people. This theme is consistently emphasized throughout the prophetic literature, such as in [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Let Justice Roll Down").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Delighted (Hebrew, _ḥāp̄ēṣ'_):** This verb signifies more than mere acceptance or permission; it conveys active pleasure, strong desire, and intentional choice. When applied to God, as here, it speaks of His profound satisfaction and purposeful inclination in setting Solomon on the throne. It suggests that God found joy in establishing Solomon's reign as a means to fulfill His divine plan and demonstrate His favor towards Israel. This is a powerful expression of divine will and affection.
* **Judgment (Hebrew, _mišpāṭ'_):** This term refers to the administration of law, legal decisions, and the upholding of rights. It encompasses the act of judging, rendering fair verdicts, and ensuring that justice is carried out according to established ordinances. In the context of kingship, it implies the ruler's responsibility to provide equitable legal processes and protect the vulnerable within society.
* **Justice (Hebrew, _ṣĕdāqâ'_):** Often paired with _mišpāṭ_, _ṣĕdāqâ_ denotes righteousness, ethical conduct, and social equity. It speaks to the moral uprightness of a ruler and the resulting societal condition where fairness, integrity, and right relationships prevail. Together, "judgment and justice" represent the comprehensive ideal of righteous governance, reflecting God's own character and His expectations for those who rule in His name.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Blessed be the LORD thy God":** The Queen of Sheba immediately directs her praise not to Solomon, but to Yahweh, the God of Israel. This opening phrase is a doxology, acknowledging God as the ultimate source of all blessing and the true power behind Solomon's reign. It demonstrates her recognition of the distinctiveness and supremacy of Israel's God.
* **"which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne":** This clause highlights God's active and joyful involvement in Solomon's kingship. It asserts that Solomon's position was not a mere accident of birth or human political maneuvering, but a deliberate, divinely willed appointment, reflecting God's pleasure and purpose for him. The throne is explicitly identified as "his throne" (God's throne), emphasizing that earthly rule is a delegated authority from the divine King.
* **"[to be] king for the LORD thy God":** This further clarifies the nature of Solomon's kingship. His rule was not for personal glory or gain, but was intended to serve God's purposes and administer His kingdom on earth. It establishes a theological framework where the king is a divine vice-regent, accountable to God for his governance.
* **"because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever":** This provides the ultimate theological rationale for God's choice of Solomon. His enthronement was a direct consequence of God's enduring covenant love for His people, Israel. The purpose was to secure Israel's stability, prosperity, and perpetual existence as God's chosen nation, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham and David.
* **"therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice":** This final clause articulates the core responsibility and divine mandate of Solomon's kingship. His rule was specifically for the purpose of administering righteous governance, ensuring fairness, equity, and ethical conduct within the nation. This was the practical outworking of God's love for Israel, establishing a society founded on divine principles.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Doxology** is immediately evident in the opening phrase, "Blessed be the LORD thy God," which sets a tone of worship and acknowledges divine supremacy. The phrase "to set thee on his throne" utilizes **Metonymy**, where "throne" represents the authority and kingship itself, but also emphasizes that the earthly throne is ultimately God's, highlighting the delegated nature of Solomon's rule. The repetition of "thy God" (three times) serves as **Emphasis**, underscoring the Queen's recognition of Yahweh as the specific God of Israel and the source of Solomon's power. The verse also functions as a form of **Prophetic Declaration**, even though spoken by a foreign queen, as it articulates God's will and purpose for the Davidic king, echoing the promises of the Davidic covenant. Finally, the pairing of "judgment and justice" (Hebrew: _mišpāṭ u'ṣĕdāqâ_) is a classic example of a **Merism**, where two complementary terms are used to express a comprehensive concept—in this case, the full scope of righteous and equitable governance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Queen of Sheba's praise in 2 Chronicles 9:8 transcends a mere compliment, serving as a profound theological declaration about the nature of divine sovereignty and the purpose of human leadership. It affirms that true authority originates from God's deliberate choice and delight, not from human ambition or strength. Solomon's reign, at its pinnacle, is presented as a visible testament to God's enduring covenant love for Israel, demonstrating His faithfulness to establish His people permanently. Furthermore, the verse establishes the fundamental mandate for all who rule: to embody God's character by administering "judgment and justice," ensuring righteousness and equity for the governed. This divine expectation for leaders is a consistent thread throughout Scripture, highlighting that governance is a sacred trust, ultimately aimed at reflecting God's own just and loving character.

* [Psalm 75:7](/psalms/75-7 "Psalm 75:7 - God Appoints Rulers")
* [Proverbs 8:15-16](/proverbs/8-15 "Proverbs 8:15-16 - Wisdom's Role in Kingship")
* [Isaiah 9:7](/isaiah/9-7 "Isaiah 9:7 - The Everlasting Kingdom of Justice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Queen of Sheba's declaration in 2 Chronicles 9:8 offers timeless principles for believers today, whether in positions of formal leadership or simply influencing others in their spheres of life. It compels us to recognize that all authority, whether in government, family, church, or workplace, ultimately derives from God. This understanding should cultivate humility in those who lead, reminding them that their position is a stewardship, not a personal entitlement. It also calls those under authority to pray for and respect their leaders, recognizing the divine hand that allows them to be in place. Furthermore, the divine mandate to "do judgment and justice" is not limited to kings but extends to every believer. We are called to embody righteousness, pursue fairness, advocate for the oppressed, and act with integrity in all our dealings, reflecting the character of our just God in a world often characterized by injustice. Our actions, like Solomon's reign, should ultimately point to the goodness and sovereignty of God, establishing His principles in our personal lives and communities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God as the ultimate source of authority impact your view of human leaders, both good and bad?**
* **In what specific ways can you, in your current sphere of influence, "do judgment and justice" as an outworking of God's love for others?**
* **What does it mean for God to "delight" in placing someone in a position of leadership, and how might this understanding shape your prayers for leaders?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of a foreign queen blessing the LORD, the God of Israel?**

Answer: The Queen of Sheba's blessing of "the LORD thy God" is highly significant because it represents an external, Gentile acknowledgment of Yahweh's supremacy and unique power. In a polytheistic ancient world, rulers typically attributed their success to their own national gods. Her praise, therefore, transcends mere diplomatic flattery; it suggests a genuine, albeit perhaps partial, recognition of Israel's God as the true source of Solomon's extraordinary wisdom and prosperity. This event underscores the universal reach of God's fame and the power of His blessings to draw even those from distant lands to acknowledge Him, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 2:2](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2 - All Nations Flow to Zion"). It highlights that God's glory is not confined to Israel but extends to all the earth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Chronicles 9:8, with its portrayal of a divinely appointed king ruling with wisdom and justice, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Solomon's reign, though glorious, was temporary and ultimately flawed, ending in apostasy and division. He was a type, a foreshadowing of the perfect King. Jesus, the true Son of David, is the one in whom God truly "delighted" to set on His eternal throne, not merely as king *for* the Lord, but as the Lord Himself, the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings"). His kingship is not established because God loved Israel alone, but because God "so loved the world" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")) that He sent His Son to establish His kingdom forever. Jesus perfectly embodies "judgment and justice," not merely as an earthly administrator, but as the righteous judge of all the earth, whose reign brings true equity, peace, and salvation to all who believe. His kingdom is eternal, unshakable, and perfectly righteous, fulfilling all the promises and typologies found in Solomon's imperfect, yet divinely appointed, reign, as prophesied in [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Prince of Peace").

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

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.