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2 Chronicles 1

God establishes Solomon’s reign and grants him wisdom to govern his people, along with wealth and honor.

Solomon gathers Israel’s leaders and goes with the assembly to Gibeon, where the Tent of Meeting and bronze altar remain. David has moved the ark to Jerusalem. After Solomon offers sacrifices, God appears to him that night and asks what he wants to receive. Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge to govern God’s people. God grants his request and promises wealth and honor. The account then describes Solomon’s riches, chariot forces, and trade in horses.

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1Solomon the son of David was firmly established in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and made him exceedingly great.
2Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to every prince in all Israel, the heads of the fathers’ households.
3Then Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for God’s Tent of Meeting was there, which the LORD’s servant Moses had made in the wilderness.
4But David had brought God’s ark up from Kiriath Jearim to the place that David had prepared for it; for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.
5Moreover the bronze altar that Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made was there before the LORD’s tabernacle; and Solomon and the assembly were seeking counsel there.
6Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before the LORD, which was at the Tent of Meeting, and offered one thousand burnt offerings on it.
7That night, God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for what you want me to give you.”
8Solomon said to God, “You have shown great loving kindness to David my father, and have made me king in his place.
9Now, LORD God, let your promise to David my father be established; for you have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.
10Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of yours?”
11God said to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor yet have you asked for long life; but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king,
12therefore wisdom and knowledge is granted to you. I will give you riches, wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had who have been before you, and none after you will have.”
13So Solomon came from the high place that was at Gibeon, from before the Tent of Meeting, to Jerusalem; and he reigned over Israel.
14Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen. He had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen that he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
15The king made silver and gold to be as common as stones in Jerusalem, and he made cedars to be as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected.
Key verses
2 Chronicles 1:10Solomon’s request centers on his need for wisdom to govern a great people who belong to God.
2 Chronicles 1:7God’s offer opens the exchange that reveals what Solomon seeks at the beginning of his reign.
2 Chronicles 1:12God grants the wisdom Solomon requests and adds wealth and honor, anticipating the prosperity described in the closing verses.
Where this chapter reaches

1 Kings recounts the same encounter at Gibeon, where Solomon asks for wisdom to govern and receives God’s promise of wealth and honor. James shares the theme of seeking wisdom from God, who gives to those who ask.

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After reading the whole chapter

What stands out in Solomon’s request when you consider the responsibility he has been given?

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How does Solomon’s description of Israel as God’s people shape your understanding of leadership?

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Questions people ask about 2 Chronicles 1

Why did Solomon worship at Gibeon in 2 Chronicles 1?

The Tent of Meeting made in Moses’ time stood at Gibeon, along with the bronze altar made by Bezalel. Solomon and the assembly went there to seek counsel and offer sacrifices. The ark was elsewhere: David had placed it in a tent at Jerusalem.

Does 2 Chronicles 1:12 promise wealth to everyone who asks for wisdom?

God’s promise of wealth and honor is addressed to Solomon in his role as king over Israel. God grants wisdom because Solomon seeks help to govern God’s people, then adds gifts Solomon did not request. The passage records a particular promise to this king; it establishes no general guarantee of riches.

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2 Chronicles · 36 chapters
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).