We bestowed knowledge on David and Solomon and they both said, "Praise be to God who has exalted us above many of His believing servants." 15 And Solomon was David's heir. And he said: O mankind! Lo! we have been taught the language of birds, and have been given (abundance) of all things. This surely is evident favour. 16 And there were gathered together unto Solomon his armies of the jinn and humankind, and of the birds, and they were set in battle order; 17 (Solomon was once on the move with them) until when they reached a valley of ants one of the ants said: "O ants, get into your holes, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (under their feet) without even knowing." 18 He smiled, and laughed at its words, and said: 'My Lord, inspire me that I should be thankful for Your blessing with which You have blessed me and my parents, and that I may do good works that will please You. Admit me, by Your Mercy, among Your righteous worshipers' 19 He inspected the birds, and said: "What is the matter that I see not the hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees? 20 [If so,] I will punish him most severely or will kill him unless he bring me a convincing excuse!" 21 But he tarried not long, and said, 'I have comprehended that which thou hast not comprehended, and I have come from Sheba to thee with a sure tiding. 22 "I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given all things that could be possessed by any ruler of the earth, and she has a great 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 would prostrate themselves before Allah Who brings to light all that is hidden in the heavens and the earth and knows all that you conceal and all that you reveal. 25 "Allah!- there is no god but He!- Lord of the Throne Supreme!" ۩ 26 ۞ Said Sulaiman, “We shall now see whether you spoke the truth or are among the liars.” 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 eminent ones, indeed, to me has been delivered a noble letter. 29 It is from Solomon, and it is "In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. 30 Saying: exalt not yourselves against me and come to me in submission. 31