2. She traveled to Jerusalem with a very large group of servants. There were many camels carrying spices, jewels, and a lot of gold. She met Solomon and asked him all the questions that she could think of.
3. Solomon answered all the questions. None of her questions was too hard for him to explain.
4. The queen of Sheba saw that Solomon was very wise. She also saw the beautiful palace he had built.
5. She saw the food at the king’s table. She saw his officials meeting together. She saw the servants in the palace and the good clothes they wore. She saw his parties and the sacrifices that he offered in the Lord’S Temple. She was so amazed, she could hardly breathe!
6. Then she said to King Solomon, “The stories I heard in my country about your great works and your wisdom are true.
7. I did not believe it until I came and saw it with my own eyes. Now I see that it is even greater than what I heard. Your wealth and wisdom are much greater than people told me.
8. Your wives and officers are very fortunate, because they serve you and hear your wisdom every day.
9. Praise the Lord your God! He was pleased to make you king of Israel. Because of the Lord’S unending love for Israel, he has made you king to rule with justice and fairness.”
10. Then the queen of Sheba gave King Solomon 4 1/2 tons of gold, a huge amount of spices, and precious stones. She gave him more spices than anyone has ever brought into Israel.
11. Hiram’s ships brought gold from Ophir. They also brought jewels and a special kind of wood.
12. Solomon used this special wood to build supports in the Temple and the palace as well as harps and lyres for the singers. That was the last time such a large shipment of that kind of wood was brought to Israel. There hasn’t been any seen around here since then.
13. King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba everything she asked for. He gave her more than she brought to give him. Then the queen of Sheba and her servants left and went back to their own country.
14. Every year King Solomon received almost 25 tons of gold.