And We verily gave knowledge unto David and Solomon, and they said: Praise be to Allah, Who hath preferred us above many of His believing slaves! 15 Solomon inherited David. He said: 'Know, my people, we have been taught the speech of birds and given everything. Surely, this is a clear bounty' 16 We gathered to Solomon his army of jinn, humans and birds; gathered and dispersed, 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 He therefore smiled beamingly at her speech*, and submitted, “My Lord, bestow me guidance so that I thank you for the favour which You bestowed upon me and my parents, and so that I may perform the good deeds which please You, and by Your mercy include me among Your bondmen who are worthy of Your proximity.” (Prophet Sulaiman heard the voice of the she ant from far away.) 19 And [one day] he looked in vain for [a particular one of] the birds; and so he said: How is it that I do not see the hoopoe? Or could he be among the absent? 20 I shall certainly punish him severely or slaughter him unless he has a good reason for his absence." 21 And he tarried not long, then said: I comprehend that which you do not comprehend and I have brought to you a sure information from Sheba. 22 Indeed, I found [there] a woman ruling them, and she has been given of all things, and she has a great throne. 23 But she and her people prostrate to the sun instead of Allah. And satan has made their deeds seem pleasing to them and barred them from the Path, and therefore they are not guided. 24 So that they worship not Allah, Who bringeth forth the hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knoweth what ye hide and what ye proclaim, 25 "Allah!- there is no god but He!- Lord of the Throne Supreme!" ۩ 26 ۞ [Solomon] said, "We will see whether you were truthful or were of the liars. 27 Go with this letter of mine and lay it before them, then withdraw from them and see how they respond." 28 She said: "O chiefs! Verily! Here is delivered to me a noble letter, 29 It reads, 'From Soloman. In the Name of God, the Beneficent and the Merciful. 30 Exalt not yourselves against me, but come unto me as those who surrender. 31