The big picture
2 Chronicles 1 opens in verse 1 with “And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 9 with “Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made…”, and closes in verse 17 with “And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of…” Repeated or prominent terms include Solomon, congregation, David, LORD, Jerusalem. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
2 Chronicles · King James Version · 172 Chronicles 1:1-6
1–6: Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD…
2 Chronicles 1:1–6 opens with “And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him…” and reaches “And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD , which was at the tabernacle of…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Solomon worshiping at Gibeon and asking for wisdom to lead the people, with particular weight carried by Solomon, congregation, LORD.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him…” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every…” Naming Israel and Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
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
7–12: In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I…
2 Chronicles 1:7–12 opens with “In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.” and reaches “Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Solomon worshiping at Gibeon and asking for wisdom to lead the people, with particular weight carried by people, asked, knowledge.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
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
13–17: Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to…
2 Chronicles 1:13–17 opens with “Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from…” and reaches “And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Solomon worshiping at Gibeon and asking for wisdom to lead the people, with particular weight carried by Jerusalem, Solomon, chariot.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of…” Naming Gibeon and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand…” The number thousand makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
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.
Who receives the image and the blessing?
Both male and female in verses 27-28. Human worth precedes achievement.
What limits human dominion?
The world belongs to its Creator and is already declared good. Compare the charge to tend and keep in 2:15.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- spake
- spoke
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.
