American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
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 exceedingly.
Reference
Kingdom
1 Chronicles 29:25
1 Kings 2:12
1 Kings 2:46
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 17:8
References God
Genesis 21:22
Exodus 3:12
References Lord
Genesis 39:2
Genesis 39:21
2
Then Solomon spoke to 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.
Reference
3
So 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.
Reference
4
But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjathjearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.
Reference
5
Moreover the brazen 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 to it.
Reference
Parallel theme
Exodus 31:2
6
And Solomon went up thither to the brazen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.
Reference
Sacrifice
1 Kings 3:4
8
And Solomon said to God, You have showed great mercy to David my father, and have made me to reign in his stead.
Reference
9
Now, O 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.
Reference
10
Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this your people, that is so great?
Reference
Judgment
1 Kings 3:9
Parallel theme
Proverbs 4:7
2 Samuel 5:2
Psalm 119:73
Psalm 119:34
2 Corinthians 3:5
James 1:5
Numbers 27:17
11
And God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of your enemies, neither yet have asked long life; but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king:
Reference
12
Wisdom and knowledge is granted to you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, neither shall there any after you have the like.
Reference
Kingdom
2 Chronicles 9:22
Matthew 6:33
1 Chronicles 29:25
Parallel theme
James 1:5
Ephesians 3:20
Ecclesiastes 2:9
13
Then 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.
14
And 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.
Reference
Kingdom
2 Chronicles 9:25
1 Kings 10:16
Parallel theme
1 Kings 4:26
Deuteronomy 17:16
References Jerusalem
1 Kings 9:19
15
And 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.
Reference
Kingdom
2 Chronicles 9:27
16
And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
17
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 out horses for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their means.
Summary of 2 Chronicles 1
This chapter describes the beginning of Solomon's reign, his request for wisdom, God's response, and the rapid growth of Solomon's wealth and military power. The chapter presents Solomon as a young king who begins his reign by seeking God rather than immediately concentrating on political power.
The chapter opens by stating that Solomon became firmly established as king and that God was with him and made him exceedingly great. Solomon gathered Israel's leaders and traveled to Gibeon, where the ancient Tent of Meeting and the bronze altar made by Bezalel were still located. Although David had brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, the older worship center at Gibeon remained an important place of sacrifice.
At Gibeon, Solomon offered 1,000 burnt offerings. That night, God appeared to him and gave him an extraordinary opportunity: Solomon could ask for whatever he wanted.
Solomon's response reveals his priorities. He thanked God for the covenant made with David and acknowledged that he had inherited a great responsibility. Instead of asking for wealth, long life, personal honor, or victory over his enemies, Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern Israel properly.
God was pleased with Solomon's request. Because Solomon had not asked for personal wealth or power, God gave him the wisdom and knowledge he requested and also promised him exceptional riches, possessions, and honor. This establishes an important principle in the chapter: wise and selfless leadership is more valuable than personal gain.
After returning to Jerusalem, Solomon's kingdom began to display tremendous strength and prosperity. He accumulated 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen and established chariot cities throughout the kingdom. His military organization demonstrated the growing power of the united monarchy.
The chapter then describes Solomon's extraordinary wealth. Silver and gold became extremely common in Jerusalem, while cedar was plentiful. His merchants imported horses from Egypt and Kue and obtained chariots from Egypt. Solomon's merchants also traded these resources with the kings of the Hittites and Arameans.
These final verses show that Solomon's kingdom was becoming an important international economic and military power. His wisdom was accompanied by wealth, trade, diplomatic connections, and military strength.
Historically, the chapter introduces the early years of Solomon's reign around the 10th century BC, following David's death. It establishes several themes that will dominate the following chapters: Solomon's wisdom, wealth, international relationships, military organization, and especially the coming construction of the Temple.
The chapter also creates an important contrast. Solomon initially asks for wisdom rather than wealth, and God gives him both wisdom and extraordinary material prosperity. This makes the beginning of his reign appear exceptionally blessed.
Overall, 2 Chronicles Chapter 1 presents Solomon as a young king who begins by seeking God and asking for the wisdom necessary to lead His people. God answers his request generously, and Solomon's kingdom quickly becomes wealthy, militarily strong, and internationally influential. This preparation leads directly into the next major event of his reign: the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
The chapter opens by stating that Solomon became firmly established as king and that God was with him and made him exceedingly great. Solomon gathered Israel's leaders and traveled to Gibeon, where the ancient Tent of Meeting and the bronze altar made by Bezalel were still located. Although David had brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, the older worship center at Gibeon remained an important place of sacrifice.
At Gibeon, Solomon offered 1,000 burnt offerings. That night, God appeared to him and gave him an extraordinary opportunity: Solomon could ask for whatever he wanted.
Solomon's response reveals his priorities. He thanked God for the covenant made with David and acknowledged that he had inherited a great responsibility. Instead of asking for wealth, long life, personal honor, or victory over his enemies, Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern Israel properly.
God was pleased with Solomon's request. Because Solomon had not asked for personal wealth or power, God gave him the wisdom and knowledge he requested and also promised him exceptional riches, possessions, and honor. This establishes an important principle in the chapter: wise and selfless leadership is more valuable than personal gain.
After returning to Jerusalem, Solomon's kingdom began to display tremendous strength and prosperity. He accumulated 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen and established chariot cities throughout the kingdom. His military organization demonstrated the growing power of the united monarchy.
The chapter then describes Solomon's extraordinary wealth. Silver and gold became extremely common in Jerusalem, while cedar was plentiful. His merchants imported horses from Egypt and Kue and obtained chariots from Egypt. Solomon's merchants also traded these resources with the kings of the Hittites and Arameans.
These final verses show that Solomon's kingdom was becoming an important international economic and military power. His wisdom was accompanied by wealth, trade, diplomatic connections, and military strength.
Historically, the chapter introduces the early years of Solomon's reign around the 10th century BC, following David's death. It establishes several themes that will dominate the following chapters: Solomon's wisdom, wealth, international relationships, military organization, and especially the coming construction of the Temple.
The chapter also creates an important contrast. Solomon initially asks for wisdom rather than wealth, and God gives him both wisdom and extraordinary material prosperity. This makes the beginning of his reign appear exceptionally blessed.
Overall, 2 Chronicles Chapter 1 presents Solomon as a young king who begins by seeking God and asking for the wisdom necessary to lead His people. God answers his request generously, and Solomon's kingdom quickly becomes wealthy, militarily strong, and internationally influential. This preparation leads directly into the next major event of his reign: the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem.