2 Chronicles 1

Salomon being settled in his kingdom, offereth at Gibeon, v.1. &c. It being put to his choice by God what to ask of him, he prayeth for wisdom, 7. Which he obtaineth, with a promise of riches and honor, 11. He returneth from Gibeon, 13. His power and great wealth, 14.

1. And Salomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom: [That is, took courage, or became courageous, observing his lawful choice to the crown, the joint consent of the people, and the general peace of the land, and removing of all lets and hinderances thereof] for the LORD his God was with him, [see Gen.ch.21. on v.22.] and magnified him exceedingly. [Heb. Upward. So 1 Chr.22.5. and 23.7. and 29.25. The meaning is that he lifts him up as it were on high in respect of greatness of estate, honor, peace, and wealth.]

2. And Salomon spake unto all Israel, to the chief of the thousands, and of the hundreds, and to the judges, and to all the Princes [Understand by or under this name, those that among others excel in nobility, famousness, and high offices] in all Israel, the heads of the Fathers; [see 1 Kings 8.on vers.8. where they are called the chief of the Fathers.]

3. And the went, Salomon, and all the Congregation with him, to the high place, [Called a great high place, 1 Kings 3:4. See the annotate.] which was at Gibeon; [a city in the tribe of Benjamin. See 1 King. Chap.3. on v.4.] For there was the Tent of the Congregation of God, [that is, the holy Tabernacle, of which see Exod.26. item Lev.1.on v.1.] which Moseh the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.

4. (But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirian-Jearim, [A city in the tribe of Juda. See Jos.9 17. Judg.18.12. 1 Sam.7.1. The Prophet Uria’s country, Jer.26.20.] to the place which David had prepared for it; for he pitched a tent for it.)

5. Also the copper altar, which Bezalelel the son of Uri, the son of Hurhad made, was there [Not at Jerusalem where the ark was, but at Gibeon, where the Tabernacles stood] before the Tabernacle of the LORD; Now Salomon and the Congregation visited the same. [to wit, the copper altar, to offer upon it, according to Gods command, Lev.17.3,4. Oth. Sought him, to wit, the LORD.]

6. And Salomon offered there before the face of the LORD, [See Lev.1.on ver.3.] upon the copper altar, which was at the Tent of the Congregation: [so Lev, 1.5.] and he offered a thousand burnt-offerings upon it.

7. In that night did God appear unto Salomon [To wit, in dream, 1 Kings 3:5. Of the appearance of God by means of dreams, see Gen.20.on v.3. and 28. On vers.12.] and he said unto him; ask what I shall give thee.

8. And Salomon said unto God; thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my Father: And thou hast made me king in his stead. [See 1 Chron.28.5.]

9. Now LORD God, let thy word be true (made) unto David my Father: For thou hast made me king over a people, manifold as the dust of the Earth. [See Gen.13.on v.16.]

10. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, [See the difference between these two gifts, 1 Kings 3. on v.12.] that I may go out, and come in before the face of this people? [see the exposition of this phrase, Num.27.on v.17. and Deu.31.on v.2.] For who shall (be able) to judge [that is, govern, so in the following verse. See judg.2.on v.16. The word be able is here inserted out of 1 Kings 3:9. although it be otherwise also included in the sense, and, who should judge? Is as much, as who should be able to judge] this thy great people?

11. Then God said unto Salomon; because this was in thine heart, [That is, the desire and purpose of thine heart] and thou hast not asked riches, goods, nor honor, nor the soul of thy haters, neither also hast asked many days, but hast desired wisdom and knowledge for thy self, that thou mightiest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king.

12. Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee: Besides I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, the like no kings that have been before thee, have had; and after thee shall not the like be. [Compare herewith 1 Kings 3:12. and the annotate thereon. Oth. Which happened not so to the kings that have been before thee, neither shall happen so after thee.]

13. So Salomon came to Jerusalem; from the high place which is at Gibeon, from before the Tent of the Congregation; And he reigned over Israel.

14. And Salomon gathered charets and horsemen, so that he had a thousand and four hundred charets, and twelve thousand horsemen: and he placed them in the charet-cities [That is, wherein the charets were disposed, and which had good pasture for the horses] and with the king at Jerusalem.

15. And the king made the silver and the gold in Jerusalem to be as stones, [See 1 Kings 10.on verse 27. and 2 Chron.9.27.] and the Cedars he made to be as sycamore trees which are in the low grounds in multitude.

16. And the bringing forth of horses, was that which Salomon had out of Egypt; and concerning the linen yarn; the kings merchants took the linen yarn for the price. [See the exposition of this verse, and the next, 1 Kings 10.on verse 28,29.]

17. And they brought up, and carried a charet out of Egypt for six hundred (shekels) of silver, and an horse for an hundred for six hundred and fifty; and so they brought (them) out by their hand, for all the kings of the Hithites, and for the kings of Syria.