And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which she had brought unto the king. So she turned, and went away to her own land, she and her servants.

2 CHRONICLES 9:12KJV
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2 Chronicles 9:12 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 9:12 mean?

2 Chronicles 9:12 describes how King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba everything she requested, in addition to gifts beyond what she had brought to him. After receiving these gifts, the queen of Sheba returned to her own country with her servants.

This verse comes at the end of the queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon, where she had come to test his wisdom and see his wealth for herself. The exchange of gifts shows the generosity and honor between rulers in the ancient world, and it highlights Solomon’s ability to give abundantly, meeting and exceeding the queen’s expectations.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 9:12

  • "Desire" (חֵפֶץ, ḥēphets): This word points to what the queen truly wanted or wished for, not just casual requests. It shows Solomon’s willingness to fulfill her deepest wishes, not just formal or expected exchanges.
  • "Asked" (שָׁאַל, shāʾal): This verb means to ask or request, emphasizing that Solomon responded directly to the queen’s specific questions or requests, not just giving general gifts.
  • "Gave" (נָתַן, nathan): This word means to give or bestow, underlining Solomon’s active role in providing for the queen, not just passively receiving her visit.

Why 2 Chronicles 9:12 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that the queen of Sheba’s visit was only about her bringing gifts to Solomon; it shows that Solomon also gave generously in return.
  • The verse emphasizes the mutual respect and honor between two powerful rulers, which was important in ancient diplomatic relationships.
  • It connects to the wider passage by showing the extent of Solomon’s wisdom, wealth, and generosity, which impressed even foreign dignitaries like the queen of Sheba.

Where else these words appear

“Sheba” Hebrew H7614 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 10:7 And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
  • 1 Chronicles 1:9 And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabta, and Raamah, and Sabtecha. And the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
  • Job 6:19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

“queen” Hebrew H4436 · used in 34 verses

  • 1 Kings 10:1 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.
  • Esther 1:16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
  • Esther 7:5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?

“desire” Hebrew H2656 · used in 38 verses

  • 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
  • Psalms 16:3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.
  • Ecclesiastes 12:10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

“turned” Hebrew H2015 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
  • 1 Kings 22:34 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
  • Psalms 114:8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.