2 Chronicles 1

2 Chronicles 1:1-12

We have an account, 1. Of Solomon’s sacrifice and prayer, ver. 1—12. 2. Of his commerce for the enriching his subjects, ver. 13—17.

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 spoke 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 brawn altar that Bezaïed the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the congregation fought unto it. 6. And Solomon went up thither to the brawn 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 head: 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.

We left Solomon in quiet possession of Israel’s throne. His authority was still more firmly established by the removal of some secret enemies, (See 1 Kings ii. 25—36.) and God being evidently with him, his prosperity increased.

1. He summoned the chief men of Israel to attend him at Gibeon, where the tabernacle was; for this he well knew, that having God for his friend, was the only sure establishment of his throne. By his own example also he laboured to diffuse an universal attachment to God and his ordinances through his kingdom.

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kingdom; as being persuaded that good men would be the most loyal subjects. There be offered a thousand burnt-offerings, beside peace-offerings, and all the assembled congregation kept a feast with him before the Lord. Note, (1.) Great is the influence of a good magistrate’s example. (2.) When we begin well, we have half ended. (3.) The more God does for us, the more should we labour to testify our gratitude towards him.

2. God appeared to him at night, and bid him as a man who was a man of the same, and had a great deal of the same, and had a great deal of the same, and had a great deal of the same, and had a great deal of the same, and had a great deal of the same, and had a great deal of the same, and had a great deal of the same, and had a great deal of the same, and had a great deal of the same, and had a great deal of the same, and had a great deal of the same, and had a great deal of the same.

3. Then Solomon came from his journey, to the high place that was at Gibbon, to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel. 14. And 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. 15. And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plateaus as stones, and cedar-trees made he as the sycamore-trees that are in the vale for abundance. 16. And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s spectators received the linen yarn at a price. 17. And they fetch 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 for six hundred shekels of silver, and for the kings of Syria, by their means.

2 Chronicles 1:13-17

When he had waited upon God, he returned to the easter of his royal government. Religious easter of his men were not to be the highest, but rather to the more vigorous discharge of our several occupations. Riders quickly began to flow in upon him, by trade with Egypt, and the linen manufactory he established. Hereby he was enabled to maintain an additional number of forces, and to appear with a splendor and dignity greater than had ever been seen before in Israel. Note, (1.) In the midst of the greatest peace, it is wide to be prepared for war. (2.) Increase of wealth too frequently brings on increase of luxury and pride: a man needs a great increase of spiritual grace and wisdom to bear being exalted.