2 Chronicles 1 explained: Solomon Asks for Wisdom

A secure new king (v. 1)

The book of 1 Kings tells of a power struggle over who would follow David, but this account skips it and opens with Solomon firmly in charge. The writer credits his strength to God being with him.

Worship at Gibeon (vv. 2-6)

Solomon leads the nation's leaders to Gibeon, a hilltop worship site that still held the tent of worship and bronze altar from Moses' time, while the sacred chest called the ark was kept in Jerusalem. There he offers a thousand burnt offerings, animals burned whole as a gift to God, a huge public act fitting a king's first national ceremony.

Solomon's request (vv. 7-10)

God invites Solomon to ask for anything, and he asks for wisdom and knowledge to lead a people too large for anyone to govern on their own. He ties his request to God's promise to his father David that his son would rule after him.

God's generous answer (vv. 11-13)

Because Solomon did not ask for riches, honor, long life or his enemies' deaths, God grants the wisdom and adds riches and honor beyond any king before or after. Solomon then returns from Gibeon to Jerusalem and reigns over Israel.

Horses, chariots and trade (vv. 14-17)

Solomon builds a large chariot force and grows so rich that silver and cedar wood seem as common in Jerusalem as stones and ordinary trees, partly by buying horses from Egypt and Kue (probably in southern Turkey) and selling them to kings further north. Some readers note that Israel's law warned kings against piling up horses, especially from Egypt (Deuteronomy 17:16), and see a hint of later trouble here.

Key verse: 2 Chronicles 1:10

Where Christians differ

Readers differ on whether the closing picture of horses and wealth is simply God's promise being fulfilled or a quiet warning about the excess that later led Solomon astray.

Something to think about

If you could have one thing to help with the responsibilities you carry, what would you choose, and what does that choice say about what you value most?