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 Solomon was heir to David, and he said: "O people, we have been taught the language of Tair, and have been given of everything. This is a clear favour indeed." 16 And his hosts were mustered to Solomon, jinn, men and birds, duly disposed; 17 and when they came to the Valley of the Ants, one ant said, "Ants! Go into your dwellings, in case Solomon and his hosts inadvertently crush you." 18 So he smiled, amused at her speech, and said: my Lord! arouse me that I should be thankful for Thy favour wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and that I should work righteously pleasing Thee, and out of Thy mercy enter me among Thine righteous bondmen. 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 surely punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him unless he brings me clear authorization." 21 Not long after the hoopoe came forward and said, "I have information which you do not have. I have come from the land of Sheba with a true report. 22 I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given of everything, and she possesses a mighty throne. 23 And I found her and her people adoring the sun instead of God; and Satan has made these doings of theirs seem goodly to them, and [thus] has barred them from the path [of God,] so that they cannot find the right way: 24 [And] so they do not prostrate to Allah, who brings forth what is hidden within the heavens and the earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare - 25 "Allah!- there is no god but He!- Lord of the Throne Supreme!" ۩ 26 ۞ He replied: 'We shall see if what you have said is true or whether you are among those who lie. 27 Take my letter, and drop it to them. Then turn aside and see what they shall return' 28 (The Queen of Sheba) said (when she received the letter): O chieftains! Lo! there hath been thrown unto me a noble letter. 29 It is from Solomon and it is "In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful. 30 Exalt not yourselves against me, but come unto me as those who surrender. 31