1. The queen of Sheba heard about Solomon, so she came to test him with hard questions. She had a very large group with her. She had camels that carried spices, much gold, and valuable stones. 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.
2. Solomon answered all the questions. None of her questions was too hard for him to explain.
3. The queen of Sheba saw that Solomon was very wise. She also saw the beautiful palace he had built.
4. 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!
5. Then she said to King Solomon, “The stories I heard in my country about your great works and your wisdom are true.
6. 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 is much greater than people told me.
7. Your wives and officers are very fortunate! They can serve you and hear your wisdom every day.
8. Praise the Lord your God! He was pleased to make you king of Israel. The Lord God loves Israel, so he made you the king. You follow the law and treat people fairly.”
9. Then the queen of Sheba gave King Solomon 4 1/2 tons of gold, a huge amount of spices, and precious stones. She gave Solomon more spices than anyone has ever brought into Israel.
10. Hiram’s servants brought gold from Ophir. They also brought in jewels and a special kind of wood.
11. King Solomon used this special wood to make steps for the Lord’S Temple and the king’s palace. Solomon also used the algum wood to make lyres and harps for the singers. No one ever saw such beautiful things like those made from the algum wood in the country of Judah.
12. 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.
13. Every year Solomon got almost 25 tons of gold.
14. In addition to the gold brought in by the traveling merchants and traders, all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the land also brought gold and silver to Solomon.
15. King Solomon made 200 large shields of hammered gold. He used about 15 pounds of gold for each shield.