Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
2 Chronicles 1:8

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

1:1-9:31 THE REIGN OF SOLOMON

Solomon’s wisdom and wealth (1:1-17)

The writer of Chronicles is chiefly concerned with the continuation of the dynasty of David through Solomon according to God’s promise, and therefore he omits stories that he considers irrelevant to his theme. He says nothing of Adonijah’s attempt to gain the throne, and nothing of Solomon’s alliance with Egypt (1 Kings 1:1-3). His initial emphasis is rather on Solomon’s devotion to God from the very beginning of his reign.

To demonstrate Solomon’s devotion, the writer records the impressive ceremony Solomon arranged at the tabernacle in Gibeon and his commendable request for God’s wisdom in ruling Israel (1:1-13; see notes on 1 Kings 3:4-15). However, the writer omits the examples given in 1 Kings 3:16-34 that show Solomon’s wisdom at work in the everyday affairs of the people, in his overall administration of the kingdom, and in his writings and songs.

Before describing Solomon’s plans for building the temple, the writer shows that under Solomon Israel enjoyed stability and prosperity. Such a king was well able to carry out the temple building program successfully (14-17; see notes on 1 Kings 10:26-29).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

GOD'S APPEARANCE TO SOLOMON IN A DREAM

"In that night did God appear to Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast showed great lovingkindness to David my father, and hast made me king in his stead. Now, O Jehovah 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. 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? And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thy heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, nor honor, nor the life of them that hate thee, 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: wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give unto thee riches, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee; neither shall any after thee have the like. So Solomon came from the high place that was at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting, unto Jerusalem; and he reigned over Israel."

"That night God appeared unto Solomon" First, we should dispose of the critical suggestion that this is a contradiction of the statement in 1 Kings 3:5 that, "Jehovah appeared unto Solomon that night in a dream." Curtis (Madsen) commented that, "The dream has disappeared, and the revelation is a more direct one."International Critical Commentary, Chronicles, p. 317. Such a comment is totally in error. There's not a word here about the dream's disappearance, nor any suggestion that the revelation was in any manner `more direct' than what was mentioned in 1 Kings. The very fact of the appearance having been at night made it unnecessary to add the fact that all Israel already knew, namely, that the appearance was in a dream.

The Chronicler's account here is more brief than that in Kings; and, "The principal point of omission was the conditional promise of long life to Solomon,"Albert Barnes, Chronicles, p. 370. This omission was probably because the Chronicler knew that Solomon's wickedness had voided that promise. "Otherwise there is no essential difference of any importance in the parallel accounts."The Pulpit Commentary, op. cit., p. 4.

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

The verbal differences between this passage and the corresponding one of Kings 1 Kings 3:5-14 are very considerable, and indicate the general truth that the object of the sacred historians is to give a true account of the real bearing of what was said: not ordinarily to furnish us with all or the exact words that were uttered. The most important point omitted in Chronicles, and supplied by Kings, is the conditional promise of long life made to Solomon 1 Kings 3:14; while the chief point absent from Kings, and recorded by our author, is the solemn appeal made by Solomon to the promise of God to David his father 2 Chronicles 1:9, which he now called upon God to “establish,” or to perform.

2 Chronicles 1:12

I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor - Remark that the writer says nothing of any promise to Solomon of “long life,” which, however, had been mentioned in 2 Chronicles 1:11 among the blessings which he might have been expected to ask. The reason for the omission would seem to lie in the writer’s desire to record only what is good of this great king. Long life was included in the promises made to him; but it was granted conditionally; and Solomon not fulfilling the conditions, it did not take effect (1 Kings 3:14 note).

Smith's Bible Commentary

Let's turn to II Chronicles chapter 1.

I Chronicles brought us up unto the death of David, and II Chronicles begins with the reign of Saul and it covers the remaining history of the kings of Judah. Now this is the chronicles of the kings of Judah. It does not really deal with the kings of Israel, but concentrates upon the southern kingdom, the kingdom of Judah. There were, perhaps, chronicles of the kings of Israel. Those we do not have. But these are the chronicles of the kings of Judah, and I Chronicles occupies itself primarily with the kingdom of David. For it was under David that the kingdom was brought to the zenith, the apex of its glory and power. And Solomon stepped in and following his father who had laid a beautiful foundation and enjoyed, really, the benefits of his father's reign.

Under Solomon the kingdom began to deteriorate. And just so quickly the kingdom fell apart. At the death of Solomon, when his son Rehoboam took over, the kingdom became divided, and what was once a mighty, powerful kingdom soon became a weakened, such a weakened state that the glorious treasures that had been amassed by David and by Solomon were soon taken by Shishak, the king of Egypt. And the glory and the power and the wealth of the kingdom were soon destroyed.

So, as we get into the second book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah,

Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly ( 2 Chronicles 1:1 ).

Solomon began his reign with great power. Power that was handed to him, really, from his father David. But also power from the Lord, because in the beginning Solomon's heart was right before God.

And Solomon gathered the people together at Gibeon, for the tabernacle of the Lord, at that time, was in Gibeon. Now there were two tabernacles at this time. David had erected a tent in Jerusalem for the Ark of the Covenant. When they brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, David made a tent for the Ark for the Covenant in Jerusalem. But the real worship center of the nation was still at Gibeon where the tabernacle, modeled after the tabernacle in the wilderness, existed, and the altar where they would go up to sacrifice unto God was at Gibeon.

And so Solomon gathered the people together to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation similar to the one that they had had in the wilderness. And the ark of God David had brought from Kirjathjearim to Jerusalem and had built a tent for that. And Solomon went up there to this brass altar before the Lord, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and he offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it ( 2 Chronicles 1:3 , 2 Chronicles 1:4 , 2 Chronicles 1:6 ).

Now Solomon was an extravagant fellow. A thousand burnt offerings. And he was extravagant in all that he did.

In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee ( 2 Chronicles 1:7 ).

That's almost like some of the plots of the fairy tales that you read, you know, the fairy goddess or the genie or whatever. Ask whatever you want. I sometimes wondered myself if God should come to me and say, "Ask what you want Me to give to you." I've wondered what would I ask God for. What would be my request? And I've often thought as I mused on this, I think I would turn it right around and say, "God, You give me whatever You want to give me." Because you see, I may be thinking of much less than what God wants to give. He loves me so much that He desires to just give to me. And I might be saying, "Lord, I'd like to have a thousand dollars." And He may want to lay a million dollars on me. And why should I cut Him short?

I think that we fail to realize how much God really loves us. And what God is willing to do for us. "For if God spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how much more then shall He not freely give us all things?" ( Romans 8:32 ) Look what God has already given for you. Consider it. He spared not His own Son, and if He spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for you, how much more will He freely give you all things? Jesus said, "Henceforth you've asked nothing in my name. Ask." And in the Greek it's in the intensive, which translated more literally would be, "Ask, please ask, that you may receive, that your joy may be full" ( John 16:24 ). God is wanting to bless you. God is wanting to bless your life, because God wants your life to be an instrument through which the world around you might know the joy and the blessing of serving the Lord. And so God desires, God delights in giving good things to His children.

"Ask what I shall give thee."

And Solomon said, You have showed great mercy unto David my father, and You have made me to reign in his place. Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for You have made me the king over a people that are like the dust of the earth as far as number. 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? ( 2 Chronicles 1:8-10 )

So Solomon's request, "Wisdom and knowledge, God. That I may know how to go in and out before these people, because the task that has been laid upon me, reigning over Your people, is greater than I can actually handle. And so, Father, grant me the wisdom and the knowledge, really, to do Your business. Grant me, Lord, that which I need to do the things that You want me to do."

What a beautiful request. Now a little further on when we get into our reading next week, we're going to find the prophet coming to Asa the king and declaring, "For the eyes of the Lord go to and fro throughout the entire earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are perfect towards Him" ( 2 Chronicles 16:9 ). Now here's Solomon expressing a heart that's really sort of completely towards God. "Ask whatever you want, Solomon." "Lord, I like to be famous. Lord, I like my footprint in Grauman's Chinese. Lord, I'd like to be rich." No, "Lord, You've placed a big, heavy responsibility upon me. You've made me the king in the place of my father over Your people. And God, I need wisdom and I need knowledge and just knowing how to do the work that you want done."

And God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you did not ask for riches, wealth, or honor, or you didn't ask for the life of your enemies, neither did you ask long life for yourself; but you've asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king: wisdom and knowledge is granted unto 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 be any after you that will have the like. Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and he reigned over Israel. And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand four hundred chariots, twelve thousand horsemen, that he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees he made as common as the sycamore trees that grow in the vale abundantly. And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: and the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price. And they brought up from Egypt the chariots for six hundred shekels of silver, horses for a hundred and fifty: and so brought they out horses for all of the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their means ( 2 Chronicles 1:11-17 ).

In other words, they began to be horse traders. They began to sell them to the nations around, the Hittites, and the Syrians, and so forth. Now it is interesting that Solomon began this horse trading with Egypt, it would appear, very early in his career. And in so doing, he was beginning to plant the seeds of destruction and deterioration of his kingdom. For in Deuteronomy, the Lord gave the law concerning the kings of Israel, and in the seventeenth chapter, in the fourteenth verse, the Lord said to Moses, "When the people come into the land, and they possess it, and they will say, 'We want a king like the nations that are about us.'" Then God gives requirements for the one that they should set forth as a king, but in verse sixteen, He said, "But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that they should multiply horses" ( Deuteronomy 17:14 , Deuteronomy 17:16 ).

Now what does God have against horses? Nothing. He created them. But in those days the horse was a definite, decisive kind of weapon in battle. They began to measure the strength of an army by the number of the horses. A man on horseback had a definite advantage, and a chariot was a fearsome, awesome weapon of war. Sort of like tanks against infantry today. And so God did not want them trusting in horses. And in Psalms it said, "A horse is a vain thing" ( Psalms 33:17 ) as far as something to trust in. As it speaks about the contrasting, trusting in the Lord. "Some men trust in horses and some in chariots, but we will trust in the Lord our God" ( Psalms 20:7 ). And so many of the psalms are addressed to the fact that people were putting trust in horses.

Now the fact that Solomon began to amass this great number of horses, and for a time, Bible critics sort of assailed the biblical account because of the numbers of horses that Solomon had. And it tells how he built these cities and put stables in these cities and so forth. And now in the excavations, in many of these cities that Solomon had fortified, they have found, actually, the horse stables. In the city of Megiddo at the level of excavation that was at Solomon's time, you can see these stone troughs that they had carved out for the water for the horses, and the feeding troughs and all. They are there today and in vast numbers. And it all verifies, really, the biblical account of the vast numbers of horses that Solomon gathered.

And the tendency, though, was then to trust in the fact that you have in your army a certain number of horsemen and all. So it's amazing to me that so soon Solomon would forsake the law of the Lord and would begin to sow the seeds that ultimately were to deteriorate the kingdom. "

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

A. Solomon’s Wisdom and Prosperity ch. 1

Solomon had some serious weaknesses that the writer of Kings pointed out. However, the Chronicler presented a generally positive picture of this great ruler because Solomon did well regarding Yahweh worship at the temple. His people’s spiritual life was one of Solomon’s primary concerns. He devoted himself to making worship and fellowship with God possible for the Israelites. In this he was similar to the promised ideal King.

One of Solomon’s first official acts as king was to worship Yahweh (2 Chronicles 1:3). This happened at Gibeon where the central sanctuary stood. David had taken the ark into Jerusalem, but the Mosaic tabernacle at Gibeon was still a legitimate place of worship. It was the only place where the priests could offer sacrifices on the bronze altar that apparently remained from the wilderness wanderings. The writer emphasized the legitimacy of Solomon’s act of worship (2 Chronicles 1:3-6). Other "high places" were contaminated by association with Baal worship and were, therefore, under God’s ban, even if the Israelites used them to worship Yahweh (cf. Numbers 33:52; Deuteronomy 12:2).

"The second book [of Chronicles] begins, theologically and not just geographically, at Gibeon, for ’the bronze altar . . . was there’ (2 Chronicles 1:5 a). The previous two chapters focus on what God does; these two [i.e., chs. 1 & 2] turn our attention to what man will do in response." [Note: Michael Wilcock, The Message of Chronicles, p. 122.]

Solomon requested the wisdom he needed to understand and obey the Mosaic Law by which Israel’s kings were to shepherd the nation (2 Chronicles 1:10; cf. Deuteronomy 4:5-8; Deuteronomy 17:18-20; Matthew 7:7; James 1:5). Solomon’s heart was right, as David’s had been. He wanted to serve God faithfully and to honor Him above himself. He was off to a good start as Israel’s shepherd.

"Solomon’s repeated reference to his father, David, shows that he was in a sense praying in David’s name. That is, he was relying on his relationship as David’s son for favor with God." [Note: J. A. Thompson, 1, 2 Chronicles, p. 205.]

"The central teaching of chapter 1 . . . lies in Solomon’s selfless prayer for wisdom, which was the precise characteristic that his father David had already invoked for him (1 Chronicles 22:12)." [Note: J. Barton Payne, "1, 2 Chronicles," in I Kings-Job, vol. 4 of The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, p. 441.]

"The right place to begin was with God. His favor and direction alone could give health and peace to the nation. Once again, therefore, the king is portrayed in a favorable light not in order to obscure his sins but in order to make the point that the good things he did are what we should imitate." [Note: Thompson, p. 202.]

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

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Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      1 And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.   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.   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.   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 pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.   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.   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.   7 In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.   8 And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.   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.   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?   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:   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.

      Here is, I. Solomon's great prosperity, 2 Chronicles 1:1; 2 Chronicles 1:1. Though he had a contested title, yet, God being with him, he was strengthened in his kingdom; his heart and hands were strengthened, and his interest in the people. God's presence will be our strength.

      II. His great piety and devotion. His father was a prophet, a psalmist, and kept mostly to the ark; but Solomon, having read much in his Bible concerning the tabernacle which Moses built and the altars there, paid more respect to them than, it should seem, David had done. Both did well, and let neither be censured. If the zeal of one be carried out most to one instance of religion, and of another to some other instance, let them not judge nor despise each other.

      1. All his great men must thus far be good men that they must join with him in worshipping God. He spoke to the captains and judges, the governors and chief of the fathers, to go with him to Gibeon, 2 Chronicles 1:2; 2 Chronicles 1:3. Authority and interest are well bestowed on those that will thus use them for the glory of God, and the promoting of religion. It is our duty to engage all with whom we have influence in the solemnities of religion, and it is very desirable to have many join with us in those solemnities--the more the better; it is the more like heaven. Solomon began his reign with this public pious visit to God's altar, and it was a very good omen. Magistrates are then likely to do well for themselves and their people when they thus take God along with them at their setting out.

      2. He offered abundance of sacrifices to God there (2 Chronicles 1:6; 2 Chronicles 1:6): 1000 burnt-offerings, and perhaps a greater number of peace-offerings, on which he and his company feasted before the Lord. Where God sows plentifully he expects to reap accordingly. His father David had left him flocks and herds in abundance (1 Chronicles 27:29; 1 Chronicles 27:31), and thus he gave God his dues out of them. The ark was at Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 1:4; 2 Chronicles 1:4), but the altar was at Gibeon (2 Chronicles 1:5; 2 Chronicles 1:5), and thither he brought his sacrifices; for it is the altar that sanctifieth every gift.

      3. He prayed a good prayer to God: this, with the answer to it, we had before, 1 Kings 3:5-15, c. (1.) God bade him ask what he would not only that he might put him in the right way of obtaining the favours that were intended him (Ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full), but that he might try him, how he stood affected, and might discover what was in his heart. Men's characters appear in their choices and desires. What wouldst thou have? tries a man as much as, What wouldst thou do? Thus God tried whether Solomon was one of the children of this world, that say, Who will show us any good, or of the children of light, that say, Lord, lift up the light of thy countenance upon us. As we choose we shall have, and that is likely to be our portion to which we give the preference, whether the wealth and pleasure of this world or spiritual riches or delights. (2.) Like a genuine son of David, he chose spiritual blessings rather than temporal. His petition here is, Give me wisdom and knowledge. He owns those to be desirable gifts, and God to be the giver of them, Proverbs 2:6. God gave the faculty of understanding, and to him we must apply for the furniture of it. Two things are here pleaded which we had not in Kings:-- [1.] Thou hast made me reign in my father's stead,2 Chronicles 1:8; 2 Chronicles 1:8. "Lord, thou hast put me into this place, and therefore I can in faith ask of thee grace to enable me to do the duty of it." What service we have reason to believe God calls us to we have reason to hope he will qualify us for. But that is not all. "Lord, thou hast put me into this place in the stead of David, the great and good man that filled it up so well; therefore give me wisdom, that Israel may not suffer damage by the change. Must I reign in my father's stead? Lord, give me my father's spirit." Note, The eminency of those that went before us, and the obligation that lies upon us to keep up and carry on the good work they were engaged in, should provoke us to a gracious emulation, and quicken our prayers to God for wisdom and grace, that we may do the work of God in our day as faithfully and well as they did in theirs. [2.] Let thy promise to David my father be established,2 Chronicles 1:9; 2 Chronicles 1:9. He means the promise of concerning his successor. "In performance of that promise, Lord, give me wisdom." We do not find that wisdom was any of the things promised, but it was necessary in order to the accomplishment of what was promised, 2 Samuel 7:13-15. The promise was, He shall build a house for my name, I will establish his throne, he shall be my son, and my mercy shall not depart from him. "Now, Lord, unless thou give me wisdom, thy house will not be built, nor my throne established; I shall behave in a manner unbecoming my relation to thee as a Father, shall forfeit thy mercy, and fool it away; therefore, Lord, give me wisdom." Note, First, God's promises are our best pleas in prayer. Remember thy word unto thy servant. Secondly, Children may take the comfort of the promises of that covenant which their parents, in their baptism, laid claim to, and took hold of, for them. Thirdly, The best way to obtain the benefit of the promises and privileges of the covenant is to be earnest in prayer with God for wisdom and grace to do the duties of it.

      4. He received a gracious answer to this prayer, 2 Chronicles 1:11; 2 Chronicles 1:12. (1.) God gave him the wisdom that he asked for because he asked for it. Wisdom is a gift that God gives as freely and liberally as any gift to those that value it, and wrestle for it; and will resolve to make use of it; and he upbraids not the poor petitioners with their folly, James 1:5. God's grace shall never be wanting to those who sincerely desire to know and do their duty. (2.) God gave him the wealth and honour which he did not ask for because he asked not for them. Those that pursue present things most earnestly are most likely to miss of them; while those that refer themselves to the providence of God, if they have not the most of those things, have the most comfort in them. Those that make this world their end come short of the other and are disappointed in this too; but those that make the other world their end shall not only obtain that, and full satisfaction in it, but shall enjoy as much as is convenient of this world in their way.