2 Chronicles · chapter 1 of 36
Updated on
2 Chronicles 1 tells how Solomon, now firmly established on the throne, gathers Israel at Gibeon and offers a thousand burnt offerings on the bronze altar. That night God tells him to ask for whatever he wants, and Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge to lead the people. God grants it and adds riches and honor, and the chapter closes by showing the splendor of his kingdom.
The book of 2 Chronicles picks up the story where 1 Chronicles ended: David has died and his son Solomon begins to reign. The chronicler writes for the people who returned from exile and wants to remind them that the center of Israel's life is the temple and the worship of the Lord. That is why this first chapter shows Solomon seeking God before he builds anything.
Solomon, the son of David, is firmly established in his kingdom because the Lord his God is with him and makes him very great. He summons all Israel, the commanders, judges and heads of families, and together they go to the high place at Gibeon, where the tabernacle Moses had made in the wilderness stood. The ark, however, was in Jerusalem, in the tent David had prepared for it. Before the bronze altar, Solomon offers a thousand burnt offerings.
That same night God appears to him and tells him to ask for whatever he wants. Solomon recalls God's kindness to his father David and asks for wisdom and knowledge to lead such a numerous people. God is pleased that he did not ask for riches, possessions or the death of his enemies, and he grants the wisdom and knowledge. He also promises riches, possessions and honor like no king before him or after him.
Solomon returns from Gibeon to Jerusalem and reigns over Israel. The chronicler describes his power: he gathers chariots and horsemen, and he makes silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as the sycamore trees of the lowland. Horses were brought from Egypt and Kue, and chariots were also sold on to the neighboring kings.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
The text explains Solomon's strength with a single reason: the Lord his God was with him. His kingdom does not rest on his skill or his army but on God's presence, and that is the key to the whole account.
Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before the people, because he feels small before so great a nation. His request is that of a servant who knows he cannot govern without God's help.
God answers that, because Solomon's heart did not seek riches, honor or revenge, he will give wisdom and knowledge and also what was not requested. The chapter teaches that whoever first seeks what pleases God receives more than expected.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Because the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great. — 2 Chronicles 1:1
Answer: To the high place at Gibeon, where the tent of meeting that Moses had made was located. — 2 Chronicles 1:3
Answer: A thousand burnt offerings. — 2 Chronicles 1:6
Answer: Wisdom and knowledge to lead God's people. — 2 Chronicles 1:10
Answer: Riches, possessions and honor, such as no king before or after him had. — 2 Chronicles 1:12
Answer: The king made silver and gold as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones. — 2 Chronicles 1:15
Solomon begins his reign with worship and a humble request. Before planning projects, gathering resources or making decisions, he seeks God. In a Sunday school class or small group we can ask ourselves what we put first when we start something new, whether a job, a ministry or a new season of family life.
There is also a lesson about what we ask for. Solomon admits his limits and asks for what he needs to serve well, not for what would make him comfortable. We can pray the same way: ask for discernment to lead our children, our class or our church, trusting that God is generous with anyone who asks with a sincere heart. James 1:5 encourages us to ask God for wisdom, since he gives to all without reproach.
2 Chronicles 1 ends with a wise, rich and respected king who has begun well because he sought God. That wisdom and those resources have a purpose, announced in 2 Chronicles 2: Solomon decides to build a house for the name of the Lord and begins to gather workers and materials.
Because Gibeon held Moses' tabernacle and the bronze altar, while the ark was in Jerusalem under a tent David had prepared. The temple did not yet exist. The chronicler points out this division to show why building the temple will matter so much: it will bring together in one place what had been separated.
It means God gave him the ability to discern and to govern his people justly. It is not mere intelligence: the text presents it as a gift from God for service. It will show later in his judgments, his writings and the fame that draws visitors from other kingdoms.
No. The promise of riches and honor was a particular blessing for Solomon, a king at a unique moment in Israel's history. What the chapter teaches everyone is the order of priorities: ask first for what serves God and his people, and trust him to care for the rest.