We gave (in the past) knowledge to David and Solomon: And they both said: "Praise be to Allah, Who has favoured us above many of his servants who believe!" 15 And Solomon inherited David. He said, "O people, we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given from all things. Indeed, this is evident bounty." 16 And assembled together for Sulaiman were his armies of jinns and men, and of birds – so they had to be restricted. 17 Until when they came to the valley of the Naml, a Namlite said: O Naml! enter your houses, (that) Sulaiman and his hosts may not crush you while they do not know. 18 And (Solomon) smiled, laughing at her speech, and said: My Lord, arouse me to be thankful for Thy favour wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and to do good that shall be pleasing unto Thee, and include me in (the number of) Thy righteous slaves. 19 And he reviewed the birds, then said: How is it I see not the hoopoe or is it that he is of the absentees? 20 I will inflict a severe punishment on him or maybe even slaughter him unless he comes forth with a convincing reason (for his absence)." 21 He was not long in coming, and said: 'I know what you do not know. I come to you from Sheba with certain news. 22 Lo! I found a woman ruling over them, and she hath been given (abundance) of all things, and hers is a mighty throne. 23 I found her and her people prostrating to the sun, apart from God; Satan has decked out fair their deeds to them and he has barred them from the way, and therefore they are not guided, 24 That they do not make obeisance to Allah, Who brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and the earth and knows what you hide and what you make manifest: 25 Allah - there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Great Throne." ۩ 26 ۞ Said he, 'Now We will see whether thou hast spoken truly, or whether thou art amongst those that lie. 27 Go thou with this epistle of mine, and cast it down unto them, and turn aside from them, and see how they return. 28 She said: "O chiefs! Verily! Here is delivered to me a noble letter, 29 It is from Solomon, and it is "In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. 30 Do not rise up against me, but come to me in surrender (Muslims)." 31