2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 9:1-8

It's not known where the kingdom of Sheba was precisely. It probably refers to the southern Arabian area; associated with gold and spices. The queen was very wealthy; even though she came to test his wisdom, she was left breathless at the extravagance of all that she saw. From the food on the table, the cloths of the servants to the building and entryways, she was impressed. The 'hard sayings' were riddles or conundrums that only a wise man might have insight into; Solomon answered all her questions.

The queen didn't believe all that she had heard; it was just too much to fathom. Yet, she found all that she had heard wasn't the lalf of it. Solomon had asked God for wisdom to govern the people wisely; it is the queen's evalaluation that he was a wise king who judged justly and righteously.

2 Chronicles 9:9-12

This apparent gift from the queen to Solomon may not have been a gift at all, but a tribuite payment. See 1 Kings 4:21. The servants of Hiram and Solomon's servants seemed to be the merchant ships spoken of in 2 Chronicles 8:18. The wood they brought must have been considered a rare luxury item; Solomon paved his walkways with it.

2 Chronicles 9:13-21

The extravagant wealth seems to be included in the chonicler's account to show that God had fulfilled his promise to Solomon detailed in 2 Chronicles 1:11-12. God had granted rishes, possessions and honor beyond what any had ever seen or will ever see; there was no doubt in the queen's mind that God had done this.

The 666 talents of gold is certainly an interesting number. This is the amount of yearly payments given to Solomon. This would be equal to somewhere around three hundred million dollars at today's value. The number is associated with Revelation 13:18 and considered the number of man. The flesh and love of money may, in fact, be a large part of the downfall of Solomon.

Why make decorative shields? Solomon seemed to be getting creative in how to use his wealth. The house in the forest of Lebanon (1Kings 7:1-12) is a place of oppulence. Solomon made a great throne of Ivory to exalt himself. This oppulence is similar to that which Amos spoke against in Amos 6:4. It was nothing but fine gold for Solomon's drinking cups; no silver was to be found.

2 Chronicles 9:22-28

Solomon surpassed all the kings of that day in riches and wisdom. Was God glorified in this? It seems as though he was in the beginning; at some point though it seems Solomon is being glorified. All the kings brought gifts, all wanted to be in good standing with the king. To those who saw Solomon, to those in the land, it must have seemed as though Solomon, by God's had, had built something that would last forever. Surely such a kingdom, such wealth, such respect from others woul last. Yet, we see it come to nothing; it shows what God can do; his finest; and then how men can mess it up. Because of our sinful flesh, we are incapable of self rule. Praise God that He provided a perfect king that will come and rule from His throne one day soon.

Solomon multiplied horses to himself; this was specifically forbidden in the law at Deuteronomy 17:16. Is this the beginning of the slide?

2 Chronicles 9:29-31

Solomon reigned in Israel for forty years. The chronicler references three other books where the accounts of Solomon might be read in detail. There's can be no doubt there were many fascinating tails recorded in these books of which we have none. Solomon passed away; all the wealth and wisdom didn't lengthen his life by one day. He took none of it with him. His som Rehoboam reigned in his place.

©2017 Doug Ford