Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 1

Verses 1-6

Introduction

The contents of the second book of Chronicles immediately connects to the first book of Chronicles. Both books form a whole. The history of David, who is mainly mentioned in the first book, and that of Solomon, with whom the second book begins, also form a whole.

The fact that the two books form a whole can also be seen from the overall layout of the two books:
1. Genealogies from Adam to David (1 Chronicles 1-9)
2. The rise and reign of David (1 Chronicles 10-29)
3. The reign of Solomon (2 Chronicles 1-9)
4. The kings of Judah (2 Chronicles 10-36)

The second book of Chronicles begins with the reign of Solomon and the building of the temple. Then follow the stories of the kings of Judah from the house of David and its decay. The book ends with the exile of the people and the destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar.

However, the last two verses of the book also give a new beginning. In these verses we see the work of the Spirit in the Persian king Cyrus, who sends a proclamation throughout his kingdom that anyone who want to return to Jerusalem to build the house of the LORD is admitted to do so (2 Chronicles 36:22-Isaiah :).

Solomon Offers At Gibeon

In this chapter the beginning of Solomon’s reign – he reigned from 970-930 BC – is described. He is about nineteen years old. It is a new beginning, but at the same time a continuation of the David reign. We see this in the first words “Solomon the son of David”. The blessing of the LORD for David is continued under his son Solomon. The LORD fulfills His promises which He has made to David by “exalting” Solomon “greatly” (2 Chronicles 1:1).

There is no mention of a struggle in the acquisition of his kingship, which we find in the first book of Kings. We can suppose that struggle in the words “established himself securely”. The words that follow, however, make it clear that the establishing of his position is not due to the exercise of his power and authority, but that he owes it to the fact that God is “with him and exalted him greatly” (2 Chronicles 1:1). God’s presence will also be our strength. Solomon is here a picture of Christ in His glory.

Solomon is at the beginning of a new era. For David the ark is the central place. For Solomon it is the altar at Gibeon, located in the area of the tribe of Benjamin, where the “tent of meeting” is. As long as there is no new altar and no temple, people comes together there. It is an interim solution. Solomon uses his authority to order all of Israel, through all those who have a responsible position among the people, to seek and honor God. It is also important for us to lead and encourage those entrusted to us and on whom we can exert influence in the search for the things of the Lord.

Solomon and all the assembly with him go to Gibeon to worship the LORD and ask Him for wisdom in a pitiful tent left over from the tabernacle. He offers a large number of animals on the bronze altar. Despite the imperfect situation, which the separation between the ark and the altar anyway is, the LORD connects His presence to that place. For there is talk of “the tabernacle of the LORD” and that Solomon offers there “before the LORD”.

He will have inherited the thousand animals which he brings as a burnt offering from his father who had a great herd (1 Chronicles 27:29; 1 Chronicles 27:31). He does not keep what he has received for himself, but offers it to the LORD. He acknowledges that he has received everything from him, as his father David has acknowledged (1 Chronicles 29:14).

Verses 7-13

Solomon Asks Wisdom and Knowledge

Solomon receives an apparition of the LORD. The LORD says to him that he may ask what he wants. That is an inviting question, with no restrictions. This question also comes to us when the Lord Jesus says: “Ask, and it will be given to you; … For everyone who asks receives” (Matthew 7:7-Ruth :). What do we answer to the Lord’s question?

Solomon prays for wisdom and knowledge (Proverbs 2:6). That is the measure by which to build. Both can be found in Christ (Colossians 2:3). The standard for church building is Christ. There are many forms of church building that arise from our ideas about how it seems best to us, but the only standard for the church and the coming together of the church is Christ.

There must, so to speak, first be reflection at Gibeon, in order to see what the standard is to come together as a church, to be a ‘temple’. Solomon here is not only a picture of Christ, but also a picture of the Spirit of Christ in the believer. This Spirit characterizes Paul when he prays for the Ephesians for the “a spirit of wisdom … in the knowledge of Him” (Ephesians 1:17).

The answer from Solomon’s mouth is beautiful. He gives the people of Israel a special value, not because they are his people, but because they are God’s people. That he sees the people not as his people, but as God’s people, is of great importance, also in our days. The church is not the possession of people, but of God. Whoever is aware of this will treat the other members of that people with great care, while acknowledging that each member belongs to the Lord and has his own unique task.

God praises Solomon for his request. Kings of the nations ask their gods for everything Solomon does not ask for. Solomon gets it because he only has God’s interests in mind in his prayer. We can learn a lot from the content of this prayer. Solomon does not start by asking anything, but he first reminds God of what He has done in the past and what He does the present.

Whatever task we get to do, we can always be confident that God’s support is there for us as it was for those who served Him before us. We may appeal to the “great lovingkindness” that has been proven to them, as Solomon does in relation to his father David, whose task he now gets (2 Chronicles 1:8). Then Solomon appeals to all the promises given by God. There is no better plea in prayer than to refer to God’s promises (2 Chronicles 1:9).

The best way to achieve what we wish is to ask for wisdom and knowledge for our task (2 Chronicles 1:10). Just like Moses (Exodus 3:11), David (1 Samuel 18:18) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:6), also Solomon recognizes his incompetence for this great task and asks for “wisdom and knowledge”. “Wisdom” refers to the right assessment at the right time in distinguishing between good and evil. ‘Knowledge’ (or ‘understanding’) relates to the knowledge and understanding of the circumstances to make the right choice for the way to go.

Solomon speaks about his ‘going out and coming in’ for the people. This may involve going out to the gate to speak justice there and going in to the LORD to seek advice from Him on the trials. In a broader sense, ‘going out and coming in’ refers to Solomon’s entire life’s walk in order to devote himself as king to his people.

God gives him what he has asked for, because he has asked for it. He gives him what he did not ask for, because he did not ask for it (2 Chronicles 1:11-2 Kings :). God explains in detail why Solomon gets what he has asked for and why he gets what he has not asked for. God gives according to the riches of His grace what is in His heart. It is an illustration of Paul’s word that God “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20; cf. Matthew 6:33).

After his meeting and conversation with God, Solomon can start reigning (2 Chronicles 1:13). This is the correct order: first the tabernacle and the altar and then the throne.

Verses 14-17

Possessions of Solomon

Now that he has gained wisdom, he does not bury his talent, but goes to work with it. He gathers all that is needed for his reign, a reign in glory.

He buys 1,400 chariots and ensures 12,000 horsemen. This army is partly stationed in chariot cities, i.e. in strategic locations in the country. Another part he keeps under his direct control in Jerusalem.

The riches and treasures of silver and gold he collects do not mean his fall, as in the first book of Kings, but increase his power and glory. They are symbols of the riches of the church of God with which it is built, such as “gold, silver and precious stones” (1 Corinthians 3:12) of which Paul speaks as the precious metals built on the foundation.