Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 1

Verse 1

And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God [was] with him, and magnified him exceedingly.

And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom. — Defying the opposition of Adonijah and his accomplices. See 1 Kings 1:4-10 .

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 Israel, the chief of the fathers.

Then Solomon spake unto all Israel. — As David had done before him. 1 Chronicles 28:1 ; 1 Chronicles 29:1

Verse 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.

Went to the high place. — This word is usually taken in an ill sense: but here in a good. Vatab. See on 1 Kings 3:4 .

Verse 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.

But the ark. — See on 2 Samuel 6:2 , …

Verse 5

Moreover 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.

He put, — i.e., Moses put.

And Solomon and all the congregation sought unto it. — Or, Unto him, i.e., the Lord; there they did their devotions to him: they diligently sought him, as the word signitieth. Compare Hebrews 11:6 .

Verse 6

And 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.

The tabernacle of the congregation. — Which was so called, because there the people met to serve God.

Verse 7

In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.

In that night. — See on 1 Kings 3:5 .

Did God appear. — That this was a divine dream, Solomon was sufficiently sensible, by the great wisdom wherewith he found himself indued when he awoke.

Verse 8

And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.

Thou hast showed, … — God must be praised for the kindness he hath showed to our ancestors also. See on 1 Kings 3:6 .

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 the earth in multitude.

Let thy promise, — viz., To the utmost extent of it.

Verse 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, [that is so] great?

Give me now wisdom and knowledge. — Knowledge to discern, and wisdom to do that which is right.

That I may go out, … — See on 1 Kings 3:7 .

Verse 11

And 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:

Thou hast not asked riches. — See 1 Kings 3:11 .

Verse 12

Wisdom 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.

Wisdom and knowledge is granted. — See here how highly therefore we are to esteem Solomen’s writings. Well might he say, "Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge?" Proverbs 22:20

Verse 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.

And reigned over Israel. — Sic regnabat, he so reigned, sc., with that wisdom and knowledge which God had promised him.

Verse 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.

And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen. — This is here added to show how God made good to Solomon that other part of his promise also concerning riches and honours. And here the lawgiver might dispense with that law of his, Deuteronomy 17:16 by a singular privilege to this king of Israel. See on 1 Kings 4:26 .

Verse 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.

And the king made. — Heb., Gave. By giving he made it so. This was a golden age indeed.

Verse 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.

And Solomon had horses, … — See 1 Kings 10:28-29 .