2 Chronicles 1:1-17
Solomon Asks for Wisdom
1Now Solomon son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and highly exalted him.
2Then Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to every leader in all Israel—the heads of the families.
3And Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon because it was the location of God’s Tent of Meeting, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.
4Now David had brought 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.
5But the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, was in Gibeon before the tabernacle of the LORD. So Solomon and the assembly inquired of Him there.
6Solomon offered sacrifices there before the LORD on the bronze altar at the Tent of Meeting, where he offered a thousand burnt offerings.
7That night God appeared to Solomon and said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”
8Solomon replied to God: “You have shown much loving devotion to my father David, and You have made me king in his place.
9Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to my father David be fulfilled. For You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.
10Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
11God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart instead of requesting riches or wealth or honor for yourself or death for your enemies—and since you have not even requested long life but have asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern My people over whom I have made you king—
12therefore wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will also give you riches and wealth and honor unlike anything given to the kings before you or after you.”
13So Solomon went to Jerusalem from the high place in Gibeon, from before the Tent of Meeting, and he reigned over Israel.
14Solomon accumulated 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem.
15The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills.
16Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and Kue; the royal merchants purchased them from Kue.
17A chariot could be imported from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. Likewise, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Aram.
Berean Standard Bible
Solomon establishes himself securely over the kingdom, and the LORD is with him and highly exalts him. He gathers commanders, judges, leaders, and heads of families and leads them to Gibeon, where the Tent of Meeting and bronze altar are located.
Solomon offers a thousand burnt offerings. That night God appears and says, “Ask, and I will give it to you!” Solomon remembers God's loving devotion to David and asks for wisdom and knowledge to lead the numerous people God has entrusted to him.
God is pleased that Solomon did not ask first for riches, honor, long life, or the death of enemies. He grants wisdom and knowledge and adds riches, wealth, and honor. The answer begins with the kind of ruler Solomon wants to be, not merely the benefits he might possess.
Solomon returns to Jerusalem and reigns over Israel. The chapter then lists his chariots, horses, silver, gold, and cedar, along with the trade that brings horses and chariots from Egypt and sends them to other kings. The material success is real, but the reader already knows that wealth must be judged alongside the king's obedience.
Questions
1 Where does Solomon offer sacrifices?
AnswerSolomon offers sacrifices at Gibeon, where the Tent of Meeting and the bronze altar are located.
2 What does Solomon ask God to give him?
AnswerSolomon asks God for wisdom and knowledge so he can lead God's numerous people well.
3 What does God add to Solomon's request?
AnswerGod grants wisdom and knowledge and also gives Solomon riches, wealth, and honor.
4 What does the chapter say about Solomon's wealth?
AnswerIt says Solomon makes silver and gold common in Jerusalem and accumulates horses, chariots, and international trade.
What This Means for Us
Solomon's first request reveals that leadership begins with recognizing whose people he is governing. Wisdom is not cleverness for personal advantage; it is capacity to carry responsibility well.
Ask what your household would request if God placed a larger responsibility in your hands. Then keep evaluating success honestly, because abundance can become a blessing or a source of misplaced security.
Prayer
Lord, give us wisdom for the people and responsibilities you entrust to us. Keep wealth, recognition, and power from becoming our first desires, and teach us to use every good gift with humility. Amen.