The big picture
Solomon, David's son, now rules Israel, God's people. God strengthens his reign, and he gathers the leaders for worship at Gibeon, a town holding the old sacred tent. The ark, the chest of God's covenant, is already in Jerusalem, the royal city. At Gibeon, Solomon receives an offer from God to ask for a gift. His answer concerns the people he must lead, and God grants more than he requests.
In this chapter
- Solomon Leads the People to Gibeon 2 Chronicles 1:1-6
God is with Solomon and makes him strong as king.
- Wisdom Is the Gift Solomon Seeks 2 Chronicles 1:7-12
God appears to Solomon that night and invites him to ask for a gift.
- Royal Wealth and Trade Grow 2 Chronicles 1:13-17
Solomon returns to Jerusalem and rules Israel.
Central truth
Solomon asks God for wisdom to govern his people, and God gives that wisdom along with wealth and honour he did not seek.
Scripture beside the summary
2 Chronicles · King James Version · 172 Chronicles 1:1-6
Solomon Leads the People to Gibeon
God is with Solomon and makes him strong as king. Solomon summons military heads, judges and family leaders, then goes with the gathering to Gibeon. The worship tent made under Moses, God's earlier servant, is there. David had already moved the ark to a tent in Jerusalem. At Gibeon stands the bronze altar made by Bezaleel, its craftsman. Solomon and the people seek God there, and he offers a thousand burnt offerings. His reign begins here with public worship alongside the nation's leaders, not only with orders issued from a throne.
In everyday life
A new hospital director joins the staff at the weekly remembrance gathering before taking up her desk. She stands with people whose work carries grief as well as skill. The first shared act sets her role among theirs rather than above their common duties. Solomon approaches God through Israel's sacred tent and animal sacrifices.
Notice
2 Chronicles 1:3 Solomon goes with the assembled people to the place holding the old worship tent. The new king's public act remains linked with the worship Israel already knows.
2 Chronicles 1:1-6
King James Version1And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.
2Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers.
3So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.
4But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjath-jearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.
5Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it.
6And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.
2 Chronicles 1:7-12
Wisdom Is the Gift Solomon Seeks
God appears to Solomon that night and invites him to ask for a gift. Solomon recalls God's kindness to David and asks him to fulfil the promise to his father. The people are too many for Solomon to govern through his own ability. He asks for wisdom and knowledge to lead them well. God notes that he has not asked for wealth, honour, long life or enemies' deaths. He grants the requested wisdom and adds unmatched wealth and honour. The answer values a request shaped by the task of caring for God's people.
In everyday life
The newly elected tenants' chair receives an offer of support from the housing trust. She asks for training in reading accounts and settling disputes before requesting new equipment. The role's demands have shown her what she lacks. Her first concern is serving the residents well. God grants Solomon wisdom and promises wealth beyond other kings.
Notice
2 Chronicles 1:10 Solomon describes the people as God's before asking how to judge them. His request grows from the size and ownership of the responsibility he has received.
2 Chronicles 1:7-12
King James Version7In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.
8And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.
9Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.
10Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
11And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
12Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.
2 Chronicles 1:13-17
Royal Wealth and Trade Grow
Solomon returns to Jerusalem and rules Israel. He gathers fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, placing them in designated towns and near himself. Silver and gold become as common as stones in the city, and cedar as plentiful as ordinary trees. Royal merchants bring horses and linen yarn from Egypt, a trading country. The costs of imported chariots and horses are recorded. The merchants also supply neighbouring kings. The wealth is shown through transport, materials and trade, giving visible form to the abundance God promised.
In everyday life
The port accountant watches imports fill warehouses that once stood half empty. Vehicle parts, cloth and fine timber now move through separate ledgers. She sees growing wealth in the range of goods and the number of buyers, not only in cash totals. Prosperity has physical signs. Solomon's abundance follows God's promise to a king of Israel.
Notice
2 Chronicles 1:15 Silver and gold are compared with common stones in Jerusalem. The comparison describes unusual abundance, making the city's wealth visible through something readers can picture.
2 Chronicles 1:13-17
King James Version13Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel.
14And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
15And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the vale for abundance.
16And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
17And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their means.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
2 Chronicles 1:1 begins with “And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.”
Where the chapter turns
2 Chronicles 1:9 forms a natural hinge: “Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.”
The final note
2 Chronicles 1:17 leaves the reader with “And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so brought they…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Solomon, congregation, David, LORD, Jerusalem, king help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- spake
- spoke
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
