We gave David and Solomon knowledge; and they said: "All praise be to God who has favoured us over many of His creatures who believe." 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 And gathered for Solomon were his soldiers of the jinn and men and birds, and they were [marching] in rows. 17 When they arrived in the valley of the ants, one ant said to the others, "Enter your dwellings lest you be carelessly crushed by Soloman and his army." 18 So he smiled, wondering at her word, and said: My Lord! grant me that I should be grateful for Thy favor which Thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I should do good such as Thou art pleased with, and make me enter, by Thy mercy, into Thy servants, the good ones. 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 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 I found a woman reigning over them, and she has been favoured with everything; and she has a throne that is magnificent. 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 Should they not worship God who brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and earth and knows both what you conceal and what you make known? 25 God, save whom there is no deity - the Sustainer, in awesome almightiness enthroned!" ۩ 26 ۞ Said [Solomon]: "We shall see whether thou hast told the truth or art one of the liars! 27 Take this letter of mine, and cast it unto them, then turn back from them and see what they shall return ' 28 The woman said, “O chieftains, indeed a noble letter has been dropped upon me.” 29 Verily it is from Sulaiman, and verily it is: in the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. 30 Saying: exalt not yourselves against me and come to me in submission. 31