---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse 2 Chronicles 9:1. The queen of Sheba — See all the particulars of this royal visit distinctly marked and explained in the notes on 1 Kings 10:1-10."
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/2-chronicles/9"
---

Verse [2 Chronicles 9:1](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/9/1). ***The queen of Sheba*** — See all the particulars of this royal visit distinctly marked and explained in the notes on [1 Kings 10:1-10](../../../kjv/1-kings/10/1-10). The *Targum* calls her *queen of Zemargad*.

Verse [2 Chronicles 9:12](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/9/12). ***Beside that which she had brought unto the king*** — In [1 Kings 10:13](../../../kjv/1-kings/10/13) it is stated that Solomon gave her all she asked, *besides that which he gave her of his royal bounty*. It is not at all likely that he gave her back the *presents* which she brought to him, and which he had accepted. She had, no doubt, asked for several things which were *peculiar* to the land of Judea, and would be curiosities in her own kingdom; and besides these, he gave her other valuable presents.

Verse [2 Chronicles 9:14](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/9/14). ***The kings of Arabia*** — "The kings of Sistevantha." - *Targum*.

Verse [2 Chronicles 9:15](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/9/15). ***And King Solomon made two hundred targets*****of*****beaten**********gold*** — For a more correct valuation of these targets and shields than that in [1 Kings 10:17](../../../kjv/1-kings/10/17), see at the end of the chapter. [2 Chronicles 9:29](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/9/29).

Verse [2 Chronicles 9:17](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/9/17). ***Made a great throne of ivory*** — For a very curious description of the *throne of Solomon*, see at the end of the chapter. [2 Chronicles 9:29](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/9/29).

Verse [2 Chronicles 9:21](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/9/21). ***The king's ships went to Tarshish*** — "Went to *Africa*." - *Targum*.

Verse [2 Chronicles 9:25](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/9/25). ***Four thousand stalls for horses*** — [1 Kings 4:26](../../../kjv/1-kings/4/26), where the *different numbers* in these two books are considered. The *Targum*, instead of *four thousand*, has ארבע מאה *arba meah, four hundred*.

Verse [2 Chronicles 9:29](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/9/29). ***Nathan the prophet*** — These books are all lost. See the account of Solomon, his character, and a review of his works, at the end of [1 Kings 11:43](../../../kjv/1-kings/11/43).
I. By the kindness of a learned friend, who has made this kind of subjects his particular study, I am able to give a more correct view of the value of the talent of gold and the talent of silver than that which I have quoted [1 Kings 10:17](../../../kjv/1-kings/10/17), from Mr. Reynold's *State of the Greatest King*.
1. To find the equivalent in British standard to an ounce troy of pure gold, valued at *eighty* shillings, and to a talent of the same which weighs *one thousand eight hundred* ounces troy.
The ounce contains *four hundred and eighty* grains, and the guinea weighs *one hundred and twenty-nine* grains, or *five* pennyweights and *nine* grains.
(1) As 129 grains : 21 shillings :: 480, the number of grains in an ounce : 78.1395348*s*. or 3*l*. 18*s*. 1*d*. 2.69767*q*.; the equivalent in our silver coin to *one ounce* of standard gold.
(2) As 78.1395348 shillings, the value of an ounce of *standard* *gold*, : 80 shillings, the value of an ounce troy of *pure* gold, :: 80 shillings : 81.9047619 shillings, the equivalent in *British* *standard* to *one ounce* of pure gold.
Instead of the preceding, the following proportions may be used: -
(1) As 21.5 shillings : 21 shillings :: 80 shillings : 78.1395348 shillings. This multiplied by 1800, the number of troy ounces in a Hebrew talent, gives 140651.16264*s*. or 7032*l*. 11*s*. 1*d*. 3.8*q*., the equivalent to one talent of *standard* gold.
(2) As 21 standard : 21.5 pure :: 80 pure : 81.9047619 standard. This multiplied by 1800 gives 147428.67142*s*. or 7371*l*. 8*s*. 6*d.* 3.4*q*., the equivalent to one talent of *pure* gold.
2. To find the equivalent in British standard to a talent of pure silver, which is valued at *four hundred and fifty pounds* sterling, or *five shillings* the ounce troy.
The pound troy is 240 pennyweights; and our silver coin has 18 pennyweights of alloy in the pound. From 240 pennyweights take 18, and there will remain 222 pennyweights, the pure silver in the pound.
Now as 240 pennyweights : 222 pennyweights :: 20 pennyweights, the weight of a crown piece, : 18 1/2 pennyweights, the weight of the pure silver in the crown.
Then, as 18.5 pennyweights : 6 shillings :: 36000, the number of dwts. in a talent,: 9729.729729729729 shillings, or £486 9*s*. 8 3/4*d*., the equivalent in our coin to a talent of pure silver.
*Example* 1. To find the equivalent in British standard to the *one* *hundred and twenty* talents of gold which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon, [2 Chronicles 9:9](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/9/9).
A talent is *three thousand* shekels; therefore *six hundred* shekels are *one-fifth*, and *three hundred* are *one-tenth* of a talent.
II. I have referred, in the note on [2 Chronicles 9:17](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/9/17), to a curious account of Solomon's throne, taken from a Persian MS. entitled [Persian] *beet al mukuddus, the Holy House*, or *Jerusalem*. It has already been remarked, in the account of Solomon at the end of [1 Kings 11:43](../../../kjv/1-kings/11/43), article 12, that among the oriental writers Solomon is considered, not only as the wisest of all men, but as having supreme command over *demons* and *genii* of all kinds; and that he knew the language of beasts and birds, c. and therefore the reader need not be surprised if he find, in the following account, Solomon employing preternatural agency in the construction of this celebrated *throne*.
"This famous throne was the work of the *Deev Sukhur*; it was called *Koukab al Jinna*. The beauty of this throne has never been sufficiently described; the following are the particulars: -
"The *sides* of it were pure gold; the *feet*, of emeralds and pearls, intermixed with other pearls, each of which was as large as the egg of an ostrich.
"The *throne* had SEVEN *steps*; on each side were delineated *orchards* full of trees, the branches of which were composed of precious stones, representing ripe and unripe fruits.
"On the tops of the trees were to be seen *fowls* of the most beautiful plumage; particularly the *peacock*, the *etaub*, and the *kurgus*; all these birds were artificially hollowed within, so as occasionally to utter a thousand melodious notes, such as the ears of mortals had never before heard.
"On the FIRST *step* were delineated *vine-branches*, having bunches of *grapes*, composed of various sorts of precious stones; fashioned in such a manner as to represent the different colours of *purple,* *violet, green*, and *red*, so as to exhibit the appearance of *real* *fruit*.
"On the SECOND *step*, on each side of the *throne*, were *two lions*, of massive gold, of terrible aspect, and as large as life.
"The property of this throne was such, that when the prophet Solomon placed his foot upon the FIRST *step*, all the *birds* spread their wings, and made a fluttering noise in the air.
"On his touching the SECOND *step*, the two *lions* expanded their claws.
"On his reaching the THIRD *step*, the whole assembly of *deevs,* *peris*, and *men*, repeated the praises of the Deity.
"When he arrived at the FOURTH *step*, voices were heard addressing him in the following manner: *Son of David be grateful* *for the blessings which the Almighty has bestowed upon thee*.
"The same was repeated on his reaching the FIFTH *step*.
"On his touching the SIXTH *step*, all the *children* sang praises.
"On his arrival at the SEVENTH *step*, the whole *throne*, with all the *birds* and other *animals*, became in motion, and ceased not till he had placed himself in the royal seat; and then the *birds,* *lions*, and other *animals*, by secret springs, discharged a shower of the *most precious musk* upon the prophet; after which two of the *kurguses*, descending placed a *golden crown* upon his head.
"Before the *throne* was a *column of burnished gold*; on the top of which was placed a *golden dove*, which had in its beak a *roll* bound in silver. In this *roll* were written the *Psalms* of the prophet *David*, and the dove having presented the *roll* to King Solomon, he read a portion of it to the children of Israel.
"It is farther related that, on the approach of *wicked* persons to this throne for judgment, the *lions* were wont to set up a terrible roaring, and to lash their tails about with violence; the *birds* also began to erect their feathers; and the whole *assembly* of *deeves* and *genii* uttered such loud cries, that for fear of them no person would dare to be guilty of falsehood, but instantly confess his crimes.
"Such was the *throne* of Solomon, the son of David."
Supposing even this splendid description to be *literally* true, there is nothing here that could not have been performed by *ingenuity* and *art*; nothing that needed the aid of *supernatural* influence.
In another MS., on which I cannot now lay my hand, the whole value of this throne, and its ornaments, is computed in *lacs* of *rupees*! The above description is founded in the main on the account given here, [2 Chronicles 9:17-19](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/9/17-19). The SIX *steps*, and the *footstool* of the sacred writer, make the SEVEN *steps*, in the above description. The *twelve* lions are not *distinguished* by the Mohammedan writer. Other matters are added from *tradition*.
This profusion of gold and precious stones was not beyond the reach of Solomon, when we consider the many millions left by his father; no less a sum than *one thousand two hundred and* *twenty-three millions, six hundred and twenty-nine thousand, three* *hundred and forty-three pounds, eleven shillings, and eight pence* *halfpenny*, besides what Solomon himself furnished.

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