What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 9:5? She said to the king - The queen of Sheba’s direct speech shows personal engagement. She is not sending messengers but addressing Solomon face-to-face, much like Nicodemus chose to speak with Jesus personally (John 3:1-2). - Her initiative fulfills God’s promise that Israel would draw nations to Himself through wisdom (Deuteronomy 4:6; Isaiah 60:3). - Coming to the king anticipates how, one day, every knee will bow before a greater King, Christ (Philippians 2:9-11). The report I heard in my own country - News of Solomon’s reign had traveled 1,200+ miles to southern Arabia—evidence that God’s blessings are never confined (Psalm 67:1-2). - Like Cornelius hearing about Peter (Acts 10:22), she responds to second-hand testimony with a desire for first-hand experience. - The gospel likewise spreads by testimony; faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). about your words and wisdom - “Words” points to Solomon’s teachings—his proverbs, judgments, and answers (1 Kings 10:3, 24). - “Wisdom” points to the God-given insight that distinguished him (1 Kings 4:29-34). Both together foreshadow Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). - The queen’s focus on both content and character reminds us that truth is more than information; it is embodied in a person (John 14:6). is true - Her verdict confirms God’s faithfulness to His promise in 1 Kings 3:12-13: Solomon’s wisdom would be unmatched. - The queen’s acknowledgment mirrors Psalm 119:160—“The entirety of Your word is truth.” - Jesus cites her as a witness against unbelief (Matthew 12:42); if she affirmed Solomon’s wisdom, how much more should we affirm Christ’s. summary The queen of Sheba’s declaration in 2 Chronicles 9:5 highlights how God’s blessings on Solomon attracted the nations, validating the truthfulness of God’s word. By seeking personal audience, measuring testimony against reality, and proclaiming the report as “true,” she models a journey from hearsay to conviction. Her words ultimately point beyond Solomon to the perfect wisdom and kingly glory of Jesus Christ, inviting us to recognize and confess the truth we find in Him. |