BIBLE STUDY PROJECT: PART 1 – OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION
WORKSHEET
Name:
Passage: 2 Chronicles 9:1–12
SECTION 1: OBSERVATION
A. I have read 2 Chronicles 9:1–12 in both a formal translation (NASB, NRSV, ESV, or
CSB) and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, NET, or NCV). Please
indicate/highlight/bold which versions you selected in the parenthetical lists above and
indicate/highlight/bold the appropriate answer below. Please use the translation provided
in your Logos digital library or found at Bible Hub (link can be found under the
Resources area on the assignment page in Canvas).
o Yes
o No
B. Having read the passage in both formal and functional translations, list at least 2
similarities and 3 differences between the way both translations cover this story. These
similarities and differences should be related to the text itself rather than the translation.
For example, an observation like, “The formal translation is harder to read” is not an
acceptable observation because it deals with the translation itself rather than the text. You
may list as many similarities and differences that you find, provided that you meet the
minimum amount for each one. For clarity, please include a few specific verses for
Reference.
a. Similarity – The queen of Sheba visited Jerusalem to put Solomon to the test with challenging
questions and riddles, according to both readings. She took this action after learning Solomon's
notoriety.
b. Similarity – According to both versions, the queen of Sheba had to visit Solomon's country to
personally witness his accomplishments and wisdom because she did not trust the stories she had
heard about them.
c. Difference – In both the NIV and the NASB, Solomon received spices and balsam oil,
respectively.
d. Difference - In the NASB, the presents were equal to what the queen had given him, but in the
NIV, Solomon gave the queen more gifts than she brought him.
e. Difference - The queen discussed everything on her mind with Solomon in the NIV, and she
discussed everything on her heart with him in the NASB.
C. Identify the basic elements of the story structure: (50–100 words). You should include
specific items such as Introduction, Inciting Incident, Rising Action(s), Climax, Falling
Action(s), Resolution, Closing Situation. Please see Everyday Bible Study for explanation
of these items.
Introduction: After learning of Solomon's popularity, the queen of Sheba visits Jerusalem to put
him to the test using riddles.
Inciting Incident: The queen and her group of people arrive bearing valuable stones, gold, and
spices.
Rising Action: Solomon doesn't conceal anything from her and responds to any of her concerns.
Climax: His responses and all of his achievements have impressed her.
Falling Action: She presents King Solomon with exquisite stones, perfumes, and wealth.
Resolution: She returns home feeling pleased with everything she saw and did in Jerusalem.
D. List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Question” for observation.
Remember to consult and review chapters 17 and 33 in Everyday Bible Study. This will
help you be more detailed in your answers to “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” “why,”
and “how.” Your “what” answer should be at least 200 words. Additionally, keep in mind
that the “why” and “how” observations are questions that you ask to the text followed by
the answers that come directly out of the text. Please be detailed and specific.
1. Who:
• Queen Sheba
• Solomon
• Servants (not the story's primary characters; they travel with the queen and Solomon's)
2. What:
• After learning of King Solomon's accomplishments and knowledge, the Sheba queen
went to Jerusalem to observe firsthand and put him to the test using riddles.
• She comes with a group of gifts and an entourage. She asked him all the questions she
had.
• He didn't hide anything from her and addressed all of the questions she had. She was
amazed by his accomplishments and wisdom.
• She presented valuable stones, gold, and spices to the king. He gave her the same
present.
• She went back to her homeland.
3. Where:
• Sheeba
• Jerusalem
4. When:
• 10th century BC
• According to 1 Kings 10:1–13, Solomon's Egyptian queen passed away around 946 BC.
The Queen of Sheba pays Solomon a visit the next year, bringing gifts of gold,
frankincense, and other spices.
5. Why:
• Why did Sheba's queen come to King Solomon?
- When she learned of his accomplishments and intelligence, she went to see him
because she wanted to put him to the test with riddles.
- She was unable to trust what she had been told and wanted to see everything for
herself.
• For what reason did Solomon speak with the queen of Sheba?
- He wanted to answer all of her questions and tell her everything. He didn't keep anything
from her.
• Why did the queen find it so impressive?
- Solomon possessed wisdom, a house he had constructed, food at his table, ministers
and cup bearers there; servants sat at the table, and a staircase leading up to the Lord's
house.
6. How:
• How did Solomon convince the queen of his wisdom?
- He didn't withhold anything from her and provided answers to all of her difficult
questions and riddles.
• How did the queen express her admiration and admiration?
- She gave him rare stones, gold, and spices.
• What was Solomon's reaction to the queen's presents?
- He gave her the same gifts that she had given him, fulfilling the queen's every wish and
request.
SECTION 2: INTERPRETATION
A. Paraphrase: Analyze the passage in the formal translation that you already read (NASB,
NRSV, ESV, or CSB) and rephrase the passage using other words of your own. Your
interpretive paraphrase should not be a short summary but should be at least as long as
the original text, if not longer (though the same number of verses). Please make sure that
you include and list each verse. It should expand and explain the ideas, words, phrases,
figures of speech, etc., in the original text. Your interpretive paraphrase should use lively
and contemporary language, and, most importantly, it should reveal careful thought and
deep understanding of the passage. Not every word has to be changed, only those that
necessitate paraphrasing for better and clearer understanding and interpretation of the
passage. There are 3 things to keep in mind. First, you are not adding to the story so you
should not be adding actions, behaviors, or reflections that characters have that are not in
the text. Do not go further than what is in the text. Second, words like “I,” “We,” “Us,”
and “Our” are application words and not interpretation words. Thus, they should not be
used in your answer for this question. Interpretation is about “then and there” and not
“here and now.” We were not there, so the passage is not about us. Third, if you are stuck
on what this paraphrase should look like, consider reviewing this passage as it is found in
The Amplified Bible (AMP), The Living Bible (TLB) or The Message (MSG).
1) The Queen of Sheba traveled to Jerusalem after learning about Solomon's great
wisdom. Her goal was to test Solomon's comprehension by presenting him with complex
riddles. She was supported by a magnificent journey that featured camels loaded with
valuable balsam oil, an abundance of gold, and several gorgeous stones. When she got
there, she had a lengthy talk with Solomon and freely expressed all of her questions and
worries. 2) Solomon answered all of her questions with honesty and wisdom thanks to his
unmatched intelligence. With his deep understanding, Solomon was able to shed light on
any subject or mystery that was too complicated or deep. He addressed every question
she asked, offering detailed responses that demonstrated his amazing intelligence. The
Queen of Sheba was greatly impressed by Solomon's intellect and the magnificence of his
accomplishments after seeing personally his wisdom and the magnificent house he had
built. 4) She carefully inspected Solomon's wonderful table, taking note of the variety and
quantity of food offered. “She was similarly impressed by his cupbearers' respectable
demeanor in their particular uniforms, his ministers' personal attention in their unique
attire, and the well-organized arrangement of his servants.” She was also blown away at
the architectural genius of the magnificent stairs Solomon used to ascend to the temple,
the abode of the Lord. She felt overwhelmed and out of breath as a result of these
observations taken together. Overwhelmed with wonder, she spoke to the monarch and
said that the tales of his achievements and wisdom she had heard in her native country
were true. 6) She acknowledged that at first, she had doubts about the accounts she had
been given. But after seeing reality with her own eyes, her personal encounter had turned
doubt into belief. She acknowledged that the truth about Solomon's wealth and wisdom
greatly surpassed her expectations and what she had been told. 7) How blessed are your
men, how blessed are these servants of yours, who stand before you continually and hear
your wisdom! 8) The queen of Sheba thanked Solomon's God, the Lord, for favoring him
and designating him as king to rule on His behalf. She understood that Solomon was
chosen to preserve justice and righteousness among the people, and that his rule was
evidence of God's love for Israel, establishing them solidly and eternally. 9) “The queen
of Sheba gave King Solomon a lavish gift of 120 talents of gold, an enormous amount of
balsam oil, and a variety of rare and priceless precious stones as a sign of her
appreciation and regard.” In particular, the balsam oil was so rich and of such high
quality that King Solomon had never seen it before. 10) Along with the riches from
Ophir, the slaves of Huram and Solomon also brought precious stones and algae trees.
11) "The king used the algum trees to make steps to the Lord's home and palace, as well
as harps and lyres for the singers." The country of Judah had never seen anything like
these. 12) In addition to giving the queen of Sheba presents equivalent to what she had
brought to the king, King Solomon granted her every wish. After that, she turned and
took her servants to her own territory.
B. Check: Consult at least 1 scholarly resource to offer support for what you believe the
passage is teaching in your interpretative paraphrase above. In 1–2 paragraphs (200–400
words), quote, properly cite, and interact with this scholarly resource to demonstrate that
it supports your interpretive paraphrase. Be detailed and thorough. Keep in mind that
simply meeting the minimum word count is doing developing work.
You must consult the “Commentaries” and the “Bible Dictionaries & Handbooks” tab
found on the research guide provided by the Jerry Falwell Library to access the approved
academic and scholarly resources. These resources are the only approved resources.
Using unapproved resources may result in a score of “0” for this assignment. The
research guide can be found by following the link under the Resources area on the
assignment page in Canvas.
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