2 Chronicles Chapter 1
1 Solomon the son of David was firmly established in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and made him exceedingly great.
2 Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to every prince in all Israel, the heads of the fathers' households.
3 So Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for God's Tent of Meeting was there, which the LORD's servant Moses had made in the wilderness.
4 But David had brought God's ark up from Kiriath Jearim to the place that David had prepared for it; for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.
5 Moreover the bronze altar that Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made was there before the LORD's tabernacle; and Solomon and the assembly were seeking counsel there.
6 Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before the LORD, which was at the Tent of Meeting, and offered one thousand burnt offerings on it.
7 That night, God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for what you want me to give you."
8 Solomon said to God, "You have shown great loving kindness to David my father, and have made me king in his place.
9 Now, LORD God, let your promise to David my father be established; for you have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.
10 Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of yours?"
11 God said to Solomon, "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, honour, or the life of those who hate you, nor yet have you asked for long life; but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king,
12 therefore wisdom and knowledge is granted to you. I will give you riches, wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had who have been before you had, and none after you will have."
13 So Solomon came from the high place that was at Gibeon, from before the Tent of Meeting, to Jerusalem; and he reigned over Israel.
14 Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen. He had one thousand and four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen that he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
15 The king made silver and gold to be as common as stones in Jerusalem, and he made cedars to be as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland.
16 The horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt and from Kue. The king's merchants purchased them from Kue.
17 They brought up and brought out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred pieces of silver, and a horse for one hundred and fifty. They also exported them to the Hittite kings and the Syrian kings.
Footnotes
- Verse 1 (LORD)
- When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, "LORD" or "GOD" is the translation of God's Proper Name.
- Verse 1 (God)
- The Hebrew word rendered "God" is Elohim.
- Verse 17 (pieces of silver)
- The pieces of silver were probably shekels, so 600 pieces would be about 13.2 pounds or 6 kilograms of silver, and 150 would be about 3.3 pounds or 1.5 kilograms of silver.
- Verse 17 (Syrean)
- or, Aramean
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2 Chronicles Chapter 1 Guide
After all the careful preparations for building the Temple which we considered in our survey of the previous Book, we now come to the period in which Solomon entered into full possession of his kingdom and took up the great work entrusted to him. He commenced by gathering his people with him at a sacred act of worship. There God met with him in a special vision at night, and tested him by commanding him to ask of Him what he desired. The condition of his heart was clearly manifest in that he sought for the wisdom necessary to accomplish his work in the best possible way. His request showed a sense of responsibility, and also his realization that he could fulfil that responsibility only as he was divinely guided.
God's answer was a beautiful instance of the overflowing love and grace of the divine heart. All the things Solomon set aside for the sake of wisdom also were given him. It is impossible to read this story without the words, "Greater than Solomon," being recalled to the mind, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." So far as Solomon was concerned, it was a fine beginning.
In the closing verses of the chapter we see on the divine side the fulfilment of the promise of material prosperity. These were the days of Israel's greatest glory in this respect. The language of the chronicler is pictorial and forceful. Gold and silver were as common as stones; and the precious cedar timber was as plenteous as the commoner sycamore. There was nothing wrong in all this, but it created a very subtle peril. Prosperity is always a more insidious danger to men of faith than adversity. It is more than likely that the glamour of such affluence was already working evil in the king's heart, as he multiplied his horses and chariots by traffic with Egypt. Commerce with Egypt is always dangerous to the people of God, and it is a very easy stage from the purchase of horses to the procuring of a wife.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
2 Chronicles Chapter 1 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- Solomon's choice of wisdom, His strength and wealth.
Verses 1-17
Solomon began his reign with a pious, public visit to God's altar. Those that pursue present things most eagerly, are likely to be disappointed; while those that refer themselves to the providence of God, if they have not the most, have the most comfort. Those that make this world their end, come short of the other, and are disappointed in this also; but those that make the other world their end, shall not only obtain that, and full satisfaction in it, but shall have as much of this world as is good for them, in their way. Let us then be contented, without those great things which men generally covet, but which commonly prove fatal snares to the soul.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.