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.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with…” By verse 3, the text has turned to “So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon…” It lands on “And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD , which was at the…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse with a speech marker, 1 stated contrast, 5 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
The narrator makes meaning through who acts first, who responds, what changes, and which consequences remain. A reported action is not automatically an approved action. Words such as Solomon, congregation, LORD, David, tabernacle, altar tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Solomon worshiping at Gibeon and asking for wisdom to lead the people,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Solomon, David, God, Israel, Bezaleel, Gibeon. Its number language includes thousand. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 2: “Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: Solomon, congregation, LORD, David, tabernacle, altar
Verse-by-verse path
- 2 Chronicles 1:1
“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.
- 2 Chronicles 1:2
“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 1:3
“So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
- 2 Chronicles 1:4
“But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjath-jearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had…” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- 2 Chronicles 1:5
“Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the…” Naming Bezaleel and Hur keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- 2 Chronicles 1:6
“And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD , which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and…” 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 1:1-6
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.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.” By verse 9, the text has turned to “Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me…” It lands on “Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 3 verses with a speech marker, 1 question, 1 stated contrast, 4 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
The narrator makes meaning through who acts first, who responds, what changes, and which consequences remain. A reported action is not automatically an approved action. Words such as people, asked, knowledge, Solomon, wisdom, David tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Solomon worshiping at Gibeon and asking for wisdom to lead the people,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include God, Solomon, David, Ask, Because, Give. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 9: “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…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: people, asked, knowledge, Solomon, wisdom, David
Verse-by-verse path
- 2 Chronicles 1:7
“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.
- 2 Chronicles 1:8
“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 1:9
“Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.
- 2 Chronicles 1:10
“Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
- 2 Chronicles 1:11
“And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the…” Naming Because keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- 2 Chronicles 1:12
“Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
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.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from…” By verse 15, the text has turned to “And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made…” It lands on “And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. Its subjects, actions, connecting terms, and consequences reveal how the thought develops before any interpretation is added.
The narrator makes meaning through who acts first, who responds, what changes, and which consequences remain. A reported action is not automatically an approved action. Words such as Jerusalem, Solomon, chariot, chariots, Egypt, horsemen tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Solomon worshiping at Gibeon and asking for wisdom to lead the people,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Jerusalem, Solomon, Egypt, Gibeon, Hittites, Israel. Its number language includes thousand, four, hundred, twelve, six. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 13: “Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: Jerusalem, Solomon, chariot, chariots, Egypt, horsemen
Verse-by-verse path
- 2 Chronicles 1:13
“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.
- 2 Chronicles 1:14
“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 1:15
“And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees…” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- 2 Chronicles 1:16
“And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price.” Naming Egypt and Solomon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- 2 Chronicles 1:17
“And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an…” The number six 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.
Questions to keep in mind while reading
- Track who acts, who speaks, who is affected, and what changes.
- Notice repeated promises, failures, rescues, and consequences.
- Do not assume the narrator approves every action that is reported.
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.
Questions beneath the surface
- What account of God, human freedom, responsibility, and the good life emerges from 2 Chronicles 1?
- Which tension does the chapter refuse to resolve quickly?
- What changes when the chapter is read as part of the whole canon rather than as an isolated moral story?
- Where might a sincere reader confuse a familiar tradition with something the text states directly?
Questions for serious personal contemplation
These open-ended questions make room for tension, honest response, prayer, and conclusions that remain accountable to the chapter.
Observe without rushing
What part of 2 Chronicles 1 makes you stop, feel unsettled, or feel surprised, and why?
Which detail in the passage would be easiest to overlook? How does that detail change your understanding?
Where do you see tension between what happens and this focus: Solomon worshiping at Gibeon and asking for wisdom to lead the people?
What important question does the passage leave open instead of resolving quickly?
Examine your inner life honestly
Which person, response, fear, or desire in the passage feels most like your own life right now?
What assumption about God, other people, or yourself does this text challenge?
Which part would you rather soften, avoid, or explain away too quickly? What might that reaction reveal?
If this Scripture could ask you one direct question, what do you think it would ask?
Respond with wisdom and courage
What do you need to remember, confess, grieve, thank God for, or trust after reading this passage?
How might another faithful person read this situation differently without ignoring the text?
What obedient response would be costly, uncomfortable, or slow, yet still faithful to Scripture?
What question will you carry into prayer this week, and which verses will you keep in front of you?