And We gave David and Solomon knowledge and they said, 'Praise belongs to God who has preferred us over many of His believing servants.' 15 And Solomon was David's heir. He said: "O ye people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and on us has been bestowed (a little) of all things: this is indeed Grace manifest (from Allah.)" 16 And his hosts of the jinn and the men and the birds were gathered to him, and they were formed into groups. 17 Until when they came to the valley of the ants, a she ant exclaimed, “O ants, enter your houses – may not Sulaiman and his armies crush you, unknowingly.” 18 So he smiled, amused at her speech; and he said: "O my Lord! so order me that I may be grateful for Thy favours, which thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may work the righteousness that will please Thee: And admit me, by Thy Grace, to the ranks of Thy 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 will surely punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him unless he brings me clear authorization." 21 But he was not long in coming, and reported: "I have been around where you have not been. I come from Saba with positive news. 22 Surely I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given abundance and she has a mighty throne: 23 I found her and her people worshipping the sun, instead of God. Satan has made their conduct appear good to them, and has thus diverted them from the right path, so that they might not be guided. 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 ۞ Solomon said, "We shall soon see whether you have spoken the truth, or whether you are a liar. 27 Take this letter of mine, and cast it unto them, then turn back from them and see what they shall 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 Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful. 30 [God says:] Exalt not yourselves against Me, but come unto Me in willing surrender!'" 31