(On the other hand), We granted knowledge to David and Solomon and they said: "All praise be to Allah Who has exalted us above many of His believing servants!" 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 And his hosts were mustered to Solomon, jinn, men and birds, duly disposed; 17 Until, when they came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, "O ants, enter your dwellings that you not be crushed by Solomon and his soldiers while they perceive not." 18 And (Solomon) smiled, laughing at her speech, and said: My Lord, arouse me to be thankful for Thy favour wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and to do good that shall be pleasing unto Thee, and include me in (the number of) Thy righteous slaves. 19 And he took attendance of the birds and said, "Why do I not see the hoopoe - or is he among the absent? 20 "I will certainly punish him with a severe penalty, or execute him, unless he bring me a clear reason (for absence)." 21 But the hoopoe stayed not long and said, "I have encompassed [in knowledge] that which you have not encompassed, and I have come to you from Sheba with certain news. 22 "I found (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne. 23 I found that she and her people prostrate themselves before the sun rather than Allah. " Satan has made their deeds appear attractive to them and has, thus, debarred them from the Right Path so they do not find true guidance 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: He is the Lord of mighty power. ۩ 26 ۞ Said [Solomon]: "We shall see whether thou hast told the truth or art one of the liars! 27 Go thou with this epistle of mine, and cast it down unto them, and turn aside from them, and see how they 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 Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, it reads: 'In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, 30 "Be you not exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims (true believers who submit to Allah with full submission)' " 31