FRAMEWORKS:
2 Chronicles 1: Solomon receives wisdom
[Introductory
Notes: Two Chronicles picks up the stories of the kings
of Judah following the death of David, recorded at the end of
the last chapter of 1 Chronicles. This first chapter tells of
how Solomon became known as the wisest man on the earth – by the
gift of God.
Although
the ark had been taken up to Jerusalem, the Tabernacle or main
meeting place between God and His people still remained at Gibeon,
a town roughly five miles northwest of Jerusalem. It was to there
that Solomon went with his people to meet with God at the beginning
of his reign and there he receives a vision or dream from the
Lord and is granted wisdom to rule his people, together with a
promise from the Lord that He will make him rich. The second half
of the chapter is a brief summary-record of how his wealth started.]
PART
ONE: v.1-12: Solomon receives wisdom from God
v.1-3
Solomon meets with his people at Gibeon
v.1
Solomon son
of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the
Lord
his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.
v.2
Then
Solomon spoke to all Israel – to the commanders of thousands
and commanders of hundreds, to the judges and to all the leaders
in Israel, the heads of families –
v.3
and
Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon,
for God's tent of meeting was there, which Moses the Lord
's servant
had made in the wilderness.
v.4-6
The ark was in Jerusalem but the Tabernacle [tent] was still at
Gibeon
v.4
Now
David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath
Jearim to the place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched
a tent for it in Jerusalem.
v.5
But
the bronze altar that Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, had
made was in Gibeon in front of the tabernacle
of the Lord;
so Solomon and the assembly enquired of him there.
v.6
Solomon
went up to the bronze altar before the Lord
in the tent
of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.
v.7
At Gibeon the Lord appears to Solomon asking what he would want
v.7
That
night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, ‘Ask for whatever
you want me to give you.'
v.8-10
Solomon asks for wisdom to rule the nation
v.8
Solomon
answered God, ‘You have shown great kindness to David my father
and have made me king in his place.
v.9
Now,
Lord
God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you
have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust
of the earth.
v.10
Give
me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for
who is able to govern this great people of yours?'
v.11,12
God rewards him with wisdom AND riches [that will no doubt flow
from the wisdom]
v.11
God
said to Solomon, ‘Since this is your heart's desire and you have
not asked for wealth, possessions or honour, nor for the death
of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life
but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have
made you king,
v.12
therefore
wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And
I will also give you wealth, possessions and honour,
such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you
will have.'
PART
TWO: v.13-17: Solomon's Wealth
v.13
Solomon returns to Jerusalem where he rules
v.13
Then
Solomon went to Jerusalem from the high place at Gibeon, from
before the tent of meeting. And he reigned over Israel.
v.14
He built up a great force of chariots & horses
v.14
Solomon
accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots
and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities
and also with him in Jerusalem.
v.15
Silver & gold became in very common use
v.15
The
king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and
cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills.
v.16
He traded for horses from Egypt
v.16
Solomon's
horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue – the royal
merchants purchased them from Kue at the current price.
v.17
He traded in chariots & horses
v.17
They
imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver,
and a horse for a hundred and fifty. They also exported them to
all the kings of the Hittites and of the Arameans.
Continue
to Ch.2