We gave knowledge to David and Solomon. They said: 'Praise be to Allah who has preferred us above many of His believing worshipers' 15 Solomon became the heir to David. He said, "People, we have been taught the language of the birds and have been granted a share of everything. This indeed is a manifest favor (from God)". 16 His armies of jinns and men and Tair assembled, formed into ranks, (and marched) 17 Till, when they came to the valley of the ants, one of the ants said: "O ants! Enter your dwellings, lest Sulaiman (Solomon) and his hosts crush you, while they perceive not." 18 Smiling at the ant's utterance, Solomon burst into laughter and said: "My Lord! Hold me under (Your) control that I may render thanks for the favour which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may act righteously in a manner that would please You. Include me, out of Your Mercy, among Your righteous servants." 19 And he sought after the birds and said: what aileth me that I see not the hoopoe; is he among the absentees? 20 I shall certainly punish him severely or slaughter him unless he has a good reason for his absence." 21 But he tarried not far, and he said: I have encompassed that which thou hast not encompassed, and I come unto thee from Saba with a tidings sure. 22 “I have seen a woman who rules over them, and she has been given from all things, and she has a mighty throne.” 23 I have found her and her people adoring the sun instead of Allah, and the Satan hath made their works fairseeming unto them, and hath barred them from the way, so they are not guided. 24 So that they adore not Allah who bringeth forth the hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knoweth that which ye conceal and that which ye make known. 25 God: there is no god but He, the Lord of the Mighty Throne.' ۩ 26 ۞ Solomon said, "We shall see whether you are truthful or a liar. 27 Go with this my letter and convey it to them; and thereafter withdraw from them and see what [answer] they return." 28 She said: "O chiefs! Verily! Here is delivered to me a noble letter, 29 Surely it is from Sulaiman, and surely it is in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; 30 Saying: exalt not yourselves against me, and come unto me submissive. 31