2 Chronicles 1

King James Version

Full text for 2 Chronicles Chapter 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.

2Then 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.

3So 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.

4But 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.

5Moreover 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.

6And 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.

7In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.

8And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.

9Now, 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.

10Give 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?

11And 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:

12Wisdom 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.

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.

14And 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.

15And 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.

16And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.

17And 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Solomon was greatly strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD magnified him exceedingly. He gathered all Israel and went to Gibeon, where he offered a thousand burnt offerings upon the brazen altar before the Tabernacle. In a divine encounter, God asked Solomon what he desired, and Solomon requested wisdom and knowledge to judge God's numerous people. God granted his request, also promising him unparalleled riches, wealth, and honour because he did not ask for selfish gain.

Medium Summary

Solomon, established in his kingdom, gathered all the leaders of Israel and journeyed to Gibeon, where the Tabernacle of the Congregation and the brazen altar were located. There, he offered a thousand burnt offerings, demonstrating his devotion. That night, God appeared to Solomon, offering him whatever he might ask. Solomon, acknowledging God's mercy to his father David and his own vast responsibility, humbly requested wisdom and knowledge to effectively govern God's great people. God was pleased with this selfless request, granting him not only the desired wisdom and knowledge but also promising him unprecedented riches, wealth, and honour. Consequently, Solomon's reign saw an abundance of silver and gold in Jerusalem, and he amassed a formidable military of chariots and horsemen, even engaging in significant regional trade of horses and linen yarn from Egypt.

Long Summary

Upon his ascension, Solomon, the son of David, was greatly strengthened in his kingdom, with the LORD his God being with him and magnifying him exceedingly. He convened all the leaders of Israel, including captains, judges, and governors, and together they proceeded to the high place at Gibeon. This location was significant as it housed the Tabernacle of the Congregation, which Moses had constructed in the wilderness, along with the brazen altar made by Bezaleel. Although the Ark of God was separately housed in a tent David had prepared in Jerusalem, Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings upon the brazen altar at Gibeon, demonstrating a profound act of worship. In the night following this sacrifice, God appeared to Solomon and invited him to ask for anything he desired. Solomon responded by acknowledging God's great mercy to David and his own unexpected kingship over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Recognizing the immense challenge of his role, he humbly requested wisdom and knowledge to properly govern and "go out and come in" before such a great multitude. God was profoundly pleased with Solomon's request, noting that he had not sought riches, wealth, honour, long life, or the demise of his enemies. Because his heart was set on judging God's people justly, God granted him wisdom and knowledge. Furthermore, God promised to bestow upon him riches, wealth, and honour far exceeding any king before or after him. Returning from Gibeon to Jerusalem, Solomon's reign immediately reflected these blessings. He amassed a vast military force, including one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, strategically placing them in chariot cities and Jerusalem. Under his rule, silver and gold became as common as stones in Jerusalem, and cedar trees as abundant as sycomores in the vale. Solomon also established significant international trade, importing horses and linen yarn from Egypt and acting as a supplier to the kings of the Hittites and Syria, thereby extending his kingdom's influence and prosperity.

Core Concepts

  • Divine MagnificationGod actively strengthened Solomon's kingdom and magnified him exceedingly, indicating divine favor and support for his rule.
  • Worship at GibeonSolomon led all Israel to Gibeon, the site of the Tabernacle of the Congregation and the brazen altar, where he offered a thousand burnt offerings as a significant act of devotion.
  • Solomon's Request for WisdomWhen God offered him anything, Solomon humbly asked for wisdom and knowledge to effectively judge and govern God's vast and numerous people, prioritizing his duty over personal gain.
  • God's Gracious GrantingPleased with Solomon's selfless request for wisdom, God not only granted him profound wisdom and knowledge but also promised him unparalleled riches, wealth, and honour.
  • Unprecedented ProsperitySolomon's reign was marked by immense material wealth, with silver and gold becoming common in Jerusalem, and a significant accumulation of chariots and horsemen.
  • Regional Trade and InfluenceSolomon established extensive trade networks, particularly importing horses and linen yarn from Egypt and then supplying them to other regional kings, demonstrating his kingdom's economic and military reach.