We saw in the prior chapter how the Kenites worked themselves into the priesthood, and they remain in that position even to this day, even in the highest of religious circles. It is interesting how these scribes always like to do our translating for us, think about it; Who did your translating for you? Did you check him or her out for accuracy? Even in the King James version of the bible, the translators wrote a fourteen page letter to you in the front of the 1611 version, warning you to be very careful as you study your bible. Those translators knew the problems that went into taking the Words of God given to the prophets, how many changes were made as the Word was passed from the Hebrew and Greek into other languages, and into other forms of the Hebrew tongue.

The Word was translated into a Septuagint Version of the Hebrew Old Testament into a Greek form, and from there into the Latin or Vulgate version of the Bible by Jerome at the close of the fourth century A.D. This version was authorized by the council of Trent, and by the Catholic church. There are many other versions that have come into being since; the Authorized Version, the Arabic Version from the 900's as well as the Syriac Version also from the fourth century A.D., also by Christians not of the Catholic Church. So it is because of these many translation and changes, that the translators wrote the warning letter to you. That letter is hard to read today, because it is written in the early English form of 1611 A.D.

The bible of this study is taken from the Companion Bible, which is not a version, but the King James Bible version, which includes all the footnotes from the Massorah test. The Massorah is the grouping of all the oldest and best manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible, where on each page, beside the Text are several columns so identifying and numbering the words and lines that not one letter or word can be changed, added, or removed without the error becoming obvious. A copy of a page out of the Massorah is on Appendix 30 of the Companion Bible, and will be given at the end of this chapter.

So with this having been said, lets continue in II Chronicles 9. This chapter in the Chronicles is related to I Kings 10, and we will be going there in comparison.

II Chronicles 9:1 "And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart."

Genesis 10:7 tells us that Sheba was the son of Cush, the brother to Nimrod, and the great grandson of Noah through Ham. The offspring of Sheba settled in the land of Ethiopia and below, and later became known as the nations of Nubia and North Abyssinia, where females sovereign [queens] were not unusual. This Queen's name is not given, but is referred to only as the "Queen of Sheba". Many reports came to her and her people of Solomon through commerce traders and merchandisers of the fame, wealth and wisdom of Solomon. After hearing all the reports of Solomon, she made the journey to Jerusalem, to see for herself if these things were all true.

II Chronicles 9:2 "And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not."

God revealed to Solomon all the answers to her questions that the queen of Sheba sought. Never forget that all true wisdom comes from God, and He not you gets all the glory and honor for that wisdom. When Solomon asked for that wisdom, God gave him that wisdom to judge his people.

II Chronicles 9:3 "And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built,"

When the queen of Sheba had entered and saw all the beauty of Solomon's house, and listened to his wisdom, she was spell bound.

II Chronicles 9:4 "And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her."

As she sat at Solomon's table and saw the meat being served and all the fine clothing of the servants, the wealth that was everywhere, there was no more spirit with her.

II Chronicles 9:5 "And she said to the king, "It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom:"

Solomon was a humble man, and the wisdom that flowed from his had far exceeded what she had expected to hear from him. The sight of all the wealth, the gold and vast riches that were everywhere in the city as well as in his home, simply took her breath away. What she saw and heard wasn't even half of what she was told back home by travelers. She notices that the riches and the wisdom was shared with all those around Solomon. Even to the lowest servant the wealth was given, and the servants were with a good attitude and manner for their work. When you please God, this manner can happen in your own family and the workplace. When God blesses, He goes all the way, and it is important to see this. God will bless you with the wisdom and riches that you are able to care for.

II Chronicles 9:6 "Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard."

The queen of Sheba just could not believe all the stories that were told here, until she could see for herself, and hear the words of Wisdom flow from Solomon's lips.

II Chronicles 9:7 "Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom."

II Chronicles 9:8 "Blessed be the Lord thy God, Which delighted in thee to set thee on His throne, to be king for the Lord thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made He thee king over them, to do judgment and justice."

The queen of Sheba could see and meet YHVH the God of Israel through the wealth and wisdom of Solomon. She could see the love that God had for His children, and for Solomon, and the justice of God through the judgment of Solomon.

II Chronicles 9:9 "And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon."

There had never been a time when so many spices had been given as a gift. Spices were very valuable at that time.

II Chronicles 9:10 "And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones."

In I Kings 9, it was told how King Solomon and King Hiram, the king of Tyre went into business together. Ophir was the place where the highest grade of ore in the world was found. These algum trees are a very strong wood.

II Chronicles 9:11 "And the king made of the algum trees terraces to the house of the Lord, and to the king's palace, and harps and psalteries for singers: and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah."

The amount of algum trees were not limited in Jerusalem at this time, and were used for everything from terracing the landscape, to building of palaces and musical instruments.

II Chronicles 9:12 "And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which she had brought unto the king. So she turned, and went away to her own land, she and her servants."

When the queen of Sheba arrived in Jerusalem, she had a camel train loaded down with spices and gold and riches from her land. However after her visit, King Solomon in turn loaded her camel train down with even more riches to take back home to her homeland. It just didn't matter how much she took for God had so blessed Solomon and Israel for their righteous acts, that there was plenty for all.

II Chronicles 9:13 "Now the weight of Gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold;"

In I Kings 10:14; Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred three score and six talents of gold. That's [6-6-6] or 666 talents of gold. Was this an error in the translation? No, it is representative to show that many people simply could not handle the success, riches and praise by people. Solomon had all, yet he did not abuse that faith that God had in Him in leading His children at this time.

II Chronicles 9:14 "Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon."

The "chapmen" were the traffickers, those that brought the goods into the community, while the merchants sold it in the community. In other words, Jerusalem became the center of trade for the world at this time, much the same way the New York City has become today.

II Chronicles 9:15 "And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one target."

Think of it, the shield of the soldiers, made with three pounds of pure gold, while the target was the spear point that came out from the shield, with three times the amount of gold being put into the target. Think of an enemy coming against a man of Israel, carrying one of these shields with its target.

II Chronicles 9:16 "And three hundred shields made he of beaten gold: three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon."

Solomon put these many shields and targets into his home in the forest of Lebanon, not even protecting Jerusalem.

II Chronicles 9:17 "Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold."

As you entered into the throne room where Solomon made His judgment, the entire house was lined with gold. Then on the six steps leading up to the throne, were sitting twelve lions, one on the left and one on the right of each step. All of it, the lions, the throne and the steps leading to the throne were all made of pure gold.

II Chronicles 9:18 "And there were six steps to the throne with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays:"

II Chronicles 9:19 "And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps,. There was not the like made in any kingdom."

II Chronicles 9:20 "And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not anything accounted of in the days of Solomon."

As the queen of Sheba sat down to eat, there in front of her on the table were plates, and all the vessels, the silverware, and serving vessels made of pure gold.

II Chronicles 9:21 "For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks."

Remember that Hiram and Solomon were in business together, and the sailors about these ships of Tarshish were a mixed crew. Those ships left every three years for the east African coast, India and elsewhere, and returned with their ivory, apes, peacocks, as well as the gold and silver. Solomon's taxes ran a certain amount; however these ships went so far out away from home that they only returned every three years with their valuable cargo. Hiram and Solomon's ships knew the shipping lanes and trade routes all over the world, over two thousand years before Columbus stumbled on the islands in the Dominican Republic, and West Indies. They went to those exotic places and gathered the taxes and goods for Solomon's kingdom.

Sure I believe there were contacts between the world land masses long before Columbus set foot on any boat. We know from the early Indians of our land that gold was very plentiful in the Americas. Remember that Solomon had the wisdom of the universe, as well as the ability to read the stars for direction. Today these things are common knowledge to any seaman.

II Chronicles 9:22 "And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom."

The lesson here is that if you please God and walk in His ways, and ask for wisdom and blessing, he will give it to you. But God will give you only what you can handle yourself.

II Chronicles 9:23 "And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart."

Did you get that? all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear the wisdom that God put into his mind. Solomon asked for it, and God gave Him far more than he asked for. Solomon used it for the glory of God.

II Chronicles 9:24 "And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year."

When you want to be with someone and get their council, then you bring him gifts. It is not different today than in Solomon's day.

II Chronicles 9:25 "And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsement; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem."

Solomon was ready to receive the many gifts that were brought as gifts, and he used them to the glory of God. He used them for the protection of God's people, and to the glory and well being of those around him.

II Chronicles 9:26 "And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt."

All the kings of the world at the time of Solomon were pleased to be under the reign of Solomon, and receive the wisdom and protection that he had to give.

II Chronicles 9:27 "And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycamore trees that are in the low plains in abundance."

II Chronicles 9:28 "And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands."

Everything was in abundance in Jerusalem, and Israel during the reign of Solomon, but the taxes were high, and this would be the main factor in splitting of the kingdom after Solomon's death.

II Chronicles 9:29 "Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecies of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat?

Notice that all of the acts of mixing God's ways with heathen ways in the latter years of Solomon's life were left out by the Kenites, but these can be reviewed in I Kings 11:1-10. When Solomon turned his back to God, Jehovah brought punishment down on him, as recorded in I Kings 11:11-40. Solomon took wives from many heathen nations, and along with those wives came their forms of worship. Solomon allowed this in the land of Israel, and those heathen worship forms never left the land.

Exodus 34:14 "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, Whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. "

We know from the books of Joshua and Judges that the Israelites did not eliminate those heathen people from the promise land, but allowed them to live and pay taxes. This was against God's instructions to them. These heathens were allowed to follow their idol worship, and in time even the Israelites took up the worship of Baal.

Exodus 34:15 "Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice."

Solomon allowed this to come right into his home through his many heathen wives.

Exodus 34:16 "And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods."

I Kings 11:1 "But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites."

The Zidonians are the Kenites, while all the others worshipped Baal, and had their groves of sexual worship. Solomon took the women from all the nations for his wives, and right along with these wives came their families, and those families religious practices and heathen forms of worship. I guess you would say that the Kenite scribes sort of over looked something that wasn't all that important to them.

Exodus 34:17 "Thou shalt make thee no molten gods."

Sure Solomon did take care of the needs of the people, in seeing that they were fed well, that their houses were safe, and the children were well trained; but in all his tending to the physical needs of the people, and justice; Solomon forgot the commandments of God.

As we look around our nation today we see the very same thing going on. Our leaders and making their covenants with heathen nations, seeking after strange women, and our leaders just are not interested in the commandments of God. The rest of I Kings 11 outlines the punishment that Solomon and the Israel will go through for turning their backs to God and His Ways.

I Kings 11:4, 5 "For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father." [4] "For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcome the abomination of the Ammonites." [5]

Its so easy to look the other way as time passes, and allow things to happen that you would not have before. When Solomon became old those wicked things that he practiced got hold of him, and turned his heart against God, the very God that blessed him. The Kenite scribes have completely left this out of their writings, for they are the group called the "Zidonians" here.

"Ashtoreth" was the worship of the moon goddess and was the same religious form that the Israelites had taken up with in the time of the Judges, when Gideon made his stand. In Judges 8:33 we read; "And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baal-berith their god." Understand first that "Baal-berith", "Ashtoreth", and grove worship are all the same sexual form of religious worship. The word "Baal-berith", means "a covenant with Baal" or the devil. No wonder that the Zidonians followed it.

Molech worship was Ammonite form of worship, and the word simply meant "king". The people in ancient times, in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, King Molech would sacrifice children from his people to the gods. These temple of Molech was even within sight of Jerusalem, where by Solomon allowed the children of his nation to be sacrifices. In short, it was the sacrificing of human flesh of babies for the sake of sin. Stop of this of what is going on today, when a woman sins and becomes pregnant, the way that she thinks that she can rid herself of that sins is to kill the child through abortion. It is just as much murder before the birth as after the birth, but the people of our nation, and our leaders think that they can do this wicked thing and get away with it. God will come down hard on our nation for killing our babies, just as he came down hard on Israel, after Solomon's death. In time the nation would be split, and the people scattered off the land and around the world.

I Kings 11: 7 "Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon."

II Kings 23:13 "And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcomthe abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile."

Our nation started out one nation under God, and in time that wisdom that it was built on has been under attack by the devil and his family and agents. A man as smart as Solomon took many wives, and blindly tried to please them over God. He lost sight of God's laws and instructions and put his heathen wives and their families over the people of Israel. This will cost the nation to be split, and for David's sake, God will allow only the nation of Judah to remain under his son Rehoboam's control. Rehoboam was a very foolish person, and listened to the wealthy royal kids that he grew up with, instead of listening to the wise council that his father had put together in Jerusalem. This is a parallel to what our nation is going through today, where one foolish man can drag our entire nation into court and force God's laws and commandments to be removed form of nation, and the people sit by and allow it. What happened in Israel on that day, when the people told the king where to get off; split the nation.

II Chronicles 9:30 "And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years."

God brought many blessings to Israel, but then one day its king, Solomon went into business with the Kenites, and his whole life went to pot. He married heathen women, and brought in all the filth of their religious practices right to the door of the Temple of God. Before his life ended, his habits made a mess of Israel. He did rule for the forty years, but by the end of his reign, the Kenites had more than established themselves in Israel. The bringing in of heathen gods was from about 897 B.C. to 880 B.C. when he died.

II Chronicles 9:31 "And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead."

Rehoboam's reign will be very short lived over the entire nation and all the tribes, for he will prove himself very foolish in the wisdom of his rule.