2 Chronicles 9
Ezra 9 records how the people of Israel, who returned from captivity, again faced the problem of “intermarriage with foreign peoples.” When Ezra hears the news, he is overwhelmed with deep sorrow, falls before God, and offers intercessory prayers for the people. This chapter unfolds around the reality that the restored community will repeat past mistakes, and the attitude of the spiritual leader in response.
1verseWhen the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to test Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great caravan, including camels that bore spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones. When she had come to Solomon, she talked with him about all that was in her heart.
2verseSolomon answered all her questions. There wasn’t anything hidden from Solomon which he didn’t tell her.
3verseWhen the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built,
4versethe food of his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his ministers, their clothing, his cup bearers and their clothing, and his ascent by which he went up to the LORD’s house, there was no more spirit in her.
5verseShe said to the king, “It was a true report that I heard in my own land of your acts and of your wisdom.
6verseHowever I didn’t believe their words until I came, and my eyes had seen it; and behold half of the greatness of your wisdom wasn’t told me. You exceed the fame that I heard!
7verseHappy are your men, and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom.
8verseBlessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you and set you on his throne to be king for the LORD your God, because your God loved Israel, to establish them forever. Therefore he made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness.”
9verseShe gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great abundance, and precious stones. There was never before such spice as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
10verseThe servants of Huram and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, also brought algum trees and precious stones.
11verseThe king used algum tree wood to make terraces for the LORD’s house and for the king’s house, and harps and stringed instruments for the singers. There were none like these seen before in the land of Judah.
12verseKing Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, more than that which she had brought to the king. So she turned and went to her own land, she and her servants.
13verseNow the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred sixty-six talents of gold,
14versein addition to that which the traders and merchants brought. All the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.
15verseKing Solomon made two hundred large shields of beaten gold. Six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one large shield.
16verseHe made three hundred shields of beaten gold. Three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. The king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
17verseMoreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.
18verseThere were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and armrests on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.
19verseTwelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other on the six steps. There was nothing like it made in any other kingdom.
20verseAll King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. Silver was not considered valuable in the days of Solomon.
21verseFor the king had ships that went to Tarshish with Huram’s servants. Once every three years, the ships of Tarshish came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
22verseSo King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
23verseAll the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
24verseThey each brought tribute: vessels of silver, vessels of gold, clothing, armor, spices, horses, and mules every year.
25verseSolomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen that he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.
26verseHe ruled over all the kings from the River even to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt.
27verseThe king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars to be as abundant as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland.
28verseThey brought horses for Solomon out of Egypt and out of all lands.
29verseNow the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, aren’t they written in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?
30verseSolomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.
31verseSolomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in his father David’s city; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.
Main structure and flow
- Verses 1-2: Report of the people’s problem - The leaders report to Ezra that even the people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have violated God’s law by marrying foreign peoples.
- Verses 3-4: Ezra’s response - Ezra tears his clothes and outer garments, pulls out his hair and beard, and expresses deep sorrow. Those who fear God gather beside Ezra.
- Verses 5-15: Ezra’s intercessory prayer - When offering the evening sacrifice, Ezra kneels, lifts up his hands, mourns before God, confesses the people’s sin, and seeks mercy.
Overall meaning and message
This chapter shows that after the exile, it is not easy for the Israelite community to keep its identity and faith under the law. Ezra, in the face of the community’s wrongdoing, repents as though he himself were included, and seeks God’s grace and mercy. The importance of keeping the law, the role of a spiritual leader when the community fails, and the humble attitude of seeking mercy stand out as key messages.
Points to reflect on
- When we face repeated mistakes, what attitude do I and our community have?
- When a spiritual crisis becomes evident, is a prayer of confession and repentance—humble like Ezra’s—also taking its place in our lives?
Apply it to me
- Diagnosis and repentance: I examine whether I have the courage to look back, together with God, at the “mistakes I’ve grown accustomed to” or the “points where I’ve fallen.”
- The responsibility of an intercessor: I check whether, rather than viewing the issues around me and in my community as unrelated to myself, I can stand in the place of intercession like Ezra.
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