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2 Chronicles 9:12 meaning

Solomon’s liberality culminates in a gracious farewell, leaving the queen wholly satisfied and returning to her land impressed by all she had seen.

“King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire which she requested besides a return for what she had brought to the king. Then she turned and went to her own land with her servants.” (v.12)

In this passage, the Bible tells us that Solomon, who ruled from around 970 BC to 931 BC, responded generously to the queen of Sheba’s visit by granting her every request, on top of returning what she herself had brought to him. The queen of Sheba likely came from southwestern Arabia, often associated with the region of present-day Yemen, and she traveled to Jerusalem bearing precious gifts to witness firsthand the famed wisdom and prosperity of Solomon (1 Kings 10:1-2). Witnessing Solomon’s abundant wealth and profound wisdom, the queen recognized that his reputation was more than justified, so much so that she had “no more spirit in her” when she saw the fullness of his estate.

The queen’s departure signifies the cordial conclusion of a significant diplomatic interaction: “Then she turned and went to her own land with her servants.” The text highlights both Solomon’s capacity to bless visiting dignitaries and the global reach of his renown. In later scriptures, Jesus refers to the queen of Sheba—calling her the “Queen of the South”—to illustrate how people outside Israel acknowledged the light of divine wisdom (Matthew 12:42). Such royal visits and their exchanges underscore the biblical theme of God’s blessings extending beyond Israel’s borders.

Solomon demonstrated unmatched generosity and wisdom by showering the queen of Sheba with gifts and every request she asked for, reflecting a king whose wealth and insight pointed to God’s abundance.

2 Chronicles 9:12