2 Crônicas 9
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Crônicas 9
NJB (LXX versing) Visit of the Queen of Sheba The Queen of Sheba's Praise of Solomon The Visit of the Queen of Sheba The Visit of the Queen of Sheba Solomon in His Glory 8:17-9:12 9:1-9 9:1-4 9:1-4 9:1-4 9:5-9 9:5-9 9:5-8 9:9 9:10-11 9:10-11 9:10-11 9:10-11 9:12 9:12 9:12 9:12 Solomon's Wealth and Power Solomon's Great Wealth Solomon's Wealth and Grandeur King Solomon's Wealth 9:13-16 9:13-16 9:13-21 9:13-16 9:13-19 9:17-21 9:17-21 9:17-19 9:20-21 9:20-24 9:22-24 9:22-24 9:22-28 9:22-24 9:25-28 9:25 9:25-28 9:25-28 9:26-28 Death of Solomon Summary of Solomon's Reign The Death of Solomon 9:29-30 9:29-31 9:29-31 9:29-31 9:29-31 Death of Solomon 9:31 Etc.
2 Crônicas 9:1-9
9:1 "the queen of Sheba" This is paralleled in 1 Kgs. 10:1-13. The best guess on the location of "Sheba" (BDB 985) is southwest Arabia. The area was known as "Saba" (ABD, vol. 5, pp. 1170-1171). This would be the modern country of Yemen. The real purpose of her visit was probably economic. She wanted to secure trade deals and land routes involving Solomon's new fleet of ships at Ezion-geber and Eloth (cf. 1 Kgs. 9:26; 2 Chr. 8:17-18). This would connect goods f rom Africa and India. Josephus, Antiq. 8.6.5., incorrectly says she was Queen of Egypt and Ethiopia. Modern archaeology has confirmed that it also controlled a portion of Ethiopia (cf. Expositor's Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 470). "to test Solomon" Apparently Solomon solved her riddles (cf. Jdgs. 14:12). 2 Chronicles 9:2 does not refer to all areas of knowledge. 9:2-6 She was very impressed (i.e., "breathless," 2 Chr. 9:4) with Solomon's wisdom (i.e., factual, practical, and problem solving) building designs administration servants (i.e., dress and procedures) 9:4 NASB, NEB "his stairway" "his entry way" NRSV, NJB, NET, LXX, Peshitta "his burnt offerings" "the procession" The UBS Text Project, p. 455, gives the NASB translation a "B" rating (some doubt). and his stairway ‒ ועליתו (BDB 751) and his burnt offerings ‒ ועלותיו The parallel in 1 Kgs. 10:5 has "and his burnt offerings" ‒ ועלתו (BDB 750) The NASB seems to fit the context best and refers to a royal procession to the store houses of the temple (i.e., "upper chambers," cf. 2 Chr. 3:9,51) or to a special place for the king to worship in the temple. 9:5 "a true report" Here, the word "true" (BDB 54) refers to the rumors about Solomon's wisdom and wealth. The VERB form (BDB 52, KB 63, Hiphil PERFECT) occurs in 2 Chr. 9:6. Hebrew, as Greek, usually adds a PREPOSITION to clarify the "belief" (i.e., "believe that. . ." or "believe in. . ."). One wonders which use of this word clarifies the Queen of Sheba's faith statements in 2 Chr. 9:8. Did she come to be a believer in Israel's God? SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE (OT) SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH, AND FAITHFULNESS (OT) 9:7 NASB, NKJV, JPSOA "your men" NRSV, NJB "your people" REB, TEV "your wives" "your servants" The MT has "your men" (BDB 35), which matches the parallel in 1 Kgs. 10:8. 9:8 She recognized that Solomon's greatness was based on the blessing of YHWH. who delighted in you who set you on the throne (cf. 1 Chr. 28:5) who represented YHWH as king (i.e., it was YHWH's throne; He was king, cf. 1 Sam. 8:7; 1 Chr. 28:5) who loved Israel established their Davidic king forever (cf. 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17) used Solomon to establish a just society used Solomon to establish a righteous society (i.e., as a witness of YHWH's character to the nations) This phrase is also found in the mouth of Huram/Hiram, King of Tyre, in 2 Chr. 2:11. This is a major theological affirmation of the fulfillment of YHWH's promises to David, cf. 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17 the Patriarchs SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS, cf. Deut. 4:37; 7:7-8; 10:15 "justice" See NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 837-845. "righteousness" See SPECIAL TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS. 9:9 These gifts were for several purposes. to recognize Solomon's greatness to establish trade deals and routes to show the merchandise she could provide
2 Crônicas 9:10-11
9:10-12 These verses describe two of the imports of Solomon's fleet. algum wood (see UBS, Fauna and Flora of the Bible, p. 88, also known as "sandalwood"), which was from southern India. Solomon used it in steps for the temple and his palace several musical instruments precious stones (but the kind is unspecified) 9:11 NASB, NRSV, NJB "steps" "walkway" "stairs" "ramps" "stands" "ascents" "stools" "terraces" The MT has "highway" (BDB 701) but the BDB suggests it is a corruption of "supports" (BDB 703, cf. 1 Kgs. 10:12). However, this textual variation is not mentioned in the UBS Text Project. It has been suggested that the word refers to another type of musical instrument because of the immediate context (i.e., Tyndale OT Series, 2 Chronicles, p. 353). It has also been speculated that based on an Assyrian root, it means "gateway."
2 Crônicas 9:12
9:12 Solomon reciprocated the queen's gifts by giving her even more (i.e., all she desired). commercial trade deals some of Solomon's treasures a male child (i.e., Ethiopian and Jewish tradition; descendants of this child were leaders in Ethiopia until WW II)
2 Crônicas 9:13-16
9:13-21 These verses describe the opulent income and things Solomon produced from his imports (2 Chr. 9:21). 666 talents of gold per year from his fleet of ships, 2 Chr. 9:13-14 200 large ceremonial or decorative shields of gold, for "the house of the forest of Lebanon" (i.e., Solomon's palace), 2 Chr. 9:15-16 a throne of ivory, precious wood inlaid with ivory carvings and covered in gold, a series of six steps, and a footstool of gold connected to the throne, 2 Chr. 9:17-18a (cf. 1 Kgs. 10:18-21) in the throne room were several lion statues, also covered with gold, 2 Chr. 9:18b-19 all the vessels of Solomon's throne room and "the house of the forest of Lebanon," were of gold, 2 Chr. 9:20 the ships of Tarshish every three years brought gold silver ivory (i.e., elephants, BDB 1042) apes (BDB 880) peacocks (BDB 1067) Tarshish may refer to a type of ship and not a seaport (Jewish Study Bible, p. 178). SPECIAL TOPIC: TARSHISH 9:14 NASB, NRSV, JPSOA "that which traders and merchants brought" "besides what the traveling merchants brought" "in addition to the taxes paid by the traders and merchants" "beside what tolls and foreign trade brought in" "in addition to the tolls levied on merchants and on traders" "besides the taxes from the cities and the traffic which the merchants brought" The UBS Text Project, p. 456, gives the NASB form a "B" rating (some doubt). The same textual issue is also found in 1 Kgs. 10:15. The NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 601, lists Solomon's sources of revenue. internally from taxation externally from tolls/tariffs on merchants tribute from Arabic sheiks in the Negev tribute collected from provincial governors (1) possibly vassal states, cf. 2 Sam. 8:1-14 (2) royal appointees (cf. 1 Kgs. 4:7,27-28) 9:14-15 The weight of gold is not specified in the MT. Most translations assume a "shekel" but the 1 Kgs. 10:16-17 parallel has "minas." SPECIAL TOPIC: ANE WEIGHTS AND VOLUMES 9:16 "the house of the forest of Lebanon" This was the name for Solomon's palace because of the paneling and covering of cedar (cf. 1 Kgs. 7:2; 10:17,21; 2 Chr. 9:16,20).
2 Crônicas 9:17-21
9:18 "footstool" This root (BDB 461) is used only here. The VERB form (BDB 461) means "to subdue." Apparently this piece of furniture was where servants and visitors knelt at the king's feet. NASB, LXX "attached to" NKJV, NRSV, TEV, NJB, JPSOA "fastened to" "encased in" This VERB (BDB 28, KB 31) usually means "to grasp," "to take possession." Possibly its use here (Hophal PARTICIPLE) reflects a different root (i.e., Akkadian), "to cover," as in Job 26:9 (i.e., Piel stem). If so, the meaning in this context would be "overlaid" or "encased" in gold. This fits the context well. Most of the temple and Solomon's palace were covered in gold. 9:20 Solomon's palace is described in 1 Kgs. 7:1-12. Apparently silver had no value because gold was so plentiful. 9:21 "once every three years" The ships of Tarshish may have been large ocean-going vessels that traveled long distances for rare, expensive, and exotic goods. This trip would last over a year, one way (see Josephus, Antiq. 8.7.2). It must be remembered that in Jewish thought a part of a time designation was counted as a whole (i.e., Jesus in the tomb 3 days). So, this could be parts of two years and one whole year. These exotic animals were an ANE way to show wealth and power (cf. 1 Kgs. 10:22).
2 Crônicas 9:22-24
9:22-24 Solomon's fame spread throughout the ANE. Many countries sent gifts. silver and gold articles garments (i.e., an ANE item of wealth and luxury) weapons (or decorated armor, BDB 676) spices (new or rare) horses (cf. 2 Chr. 9:28) mules (a royal mount) The items usually used to denote wealth in the ANE are precious metals precious jewels festive clothes food stocks 9:23 "of the earth" the Hebrew term "earth" has a wide semantic range. a piece of ground, field a country, region all the earth Here, #2 fits best and refers to all the kingdom under Solomon's influence (cf. 1 Kgs. 4:21). SPECIAL TOPIC: LAND, COUNTRY, EARTH (OT)
2 Crônicas 9:25-28
9:25-28 These verses describe the military power and extent of his vast kingdom. All of this wealth, wisdom, and power were gifts from YHWH (cf. 2 Chr. 1:11-12). 9:25 "4,000 stalls for horses and chariots and 12,000 horsemen" This number corresponds to 1 Kgs. 10:20 and 2 Chr. 1:14. The same numbers in 1 Kgs. 4:26 are the same for the number of "horsemen," but the number of "horses" is inflated to "40,000." See discussion at 2 Chr. 8:11 about the number problems in the historical books. It is surprising how the Chronicles emphasizes Solomon's wealth and power, when Deut. 17:14-17 restricts all of this. do not multiply horses do not get horses from Egypt (cf. 2 Chr. 1:16) do not multiply wives do not multiply silver and gold The rabbis say the words "for himself" explain the restrictions but in context, this seems dubious. 9:26 This was the upper limit of YHWH's promise to Abraham (cf. Gen.15:18; Exod. 23:31; Deut. 1:7-8).
2 Crônicas 9:29-30
9:29-31 These verses are the typical summary information found at the conclusion of a king's reign. It involves a list of written resources used to document Solomon's reign. writings of Nathan the prophet writings of Ahijah the Shilonite (cf. 1 Kgs. 11:29-30; 12:15) visions of Iddo the seer, about Jeroboam, son of Nebat (Josephus says this is the unnamed prophet of 1 Kgs. 13:1-10) "prophet. . .seer" For the different words used to describe this OT office/gift, see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DIFFERENT HEBREW TERMS FOR PROPHET. 9:30 "reigned forty years" This was the same length as David's reign. SPECIAL TOPIC: SYMBOLIC NUMBERS IN SCRIPTURE, #7
2 Crônicas 9:31
9:31 "slept with his fathers" This is a Hebraic idiom for death. The OT Israelite believed in a shadowy, conscious afterlife with a future resurrection (i.e., Dan. 12:2). SPECIAL TOPIC: WHERE ARE THE DEAD?