2 Chronicles 9:8

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.

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

  • Divine Appointment: Kingship is ultimately established by God's will and delight, not human merit alone (Psalm 75:7).
  • God's Love for Israel: Solomon's reign was a manifestation of God's steadfast love and commitment to His covenant people, aiming to establish them securely.
  • Purpose of Leadership: Rulers are called to govern "for the LORD," serving God's purposes rather than their own.
  • Mandate of Justice: A fundamental duty of a righteous leader is to administer "judgment and justice," ensuring fairness and equity for all.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Delighted" (Hebrew: chaphets - חָפֵץ): This word signifies more than mere acceptance; it conveys active pleasure, desire, and strong inclination. It speaks to God's intentional and joyful choice in setting Solomon on the throne.
  • "Judgment and justice" (Hebrew: mishpat u'tzedakah - מִשְׁפָּט וּצְדָקָה): These two terms are often paired in Hebrew Scripture to describe comprehensive righteousness in governance. Mishpat refers to legal decree, proper administration of law, and fair rulings, while tzedakah refers to ethical uprightness, social equity, and righteous conduct. Together, they represent the ideal standard for a godly ruler.

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.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
  • 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.

Install App

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back