First light on the broad hill at Gibeon: in the lower third the old tabernacle, a long low dark tent inside a court of white linen hangings, its bronze altar's fire burned low with one thin thread of smoke, the dark tents of the assembly camped on the terraced slopes below, under a calm pale dawn sky.

The Book of

2 Chronicles 1

A young king, an old altar, and one night when God said, Ask.

17 verses≈ 4 min3 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1SolomonWisdom asked at GibeonChapter 1
2–5The templeBuilt on Mount Moriah
6–7DedicationIf My people humble themselves
8–9Solomon's gloryThe queen of Sheba
10–16DivisionRehoboam to Asa
17–20JehoshaphatThe battle is God's
21–24Dark yearsJehoram to Joash
25–28Proud kingsAmaziah to Ahaz
29–32HezekiahDoors opened, Passover kept
33–35Manasseh to JosiahMercy and the Book found
36Exile and returnMay he go up

Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom

Evening on the flat roof of David's house in Jerusalem: the young king Solomon stands alone at the low parapet, looking down over the crowded City of David, its terraced houses, lamplit courtyards and streets full of people, the hills beyond fading blue.

Now Solomon son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and highly exalted him.

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Bright morning on a stony road climbing between terraced olive slopes: a long procession of Israel's commanders, judges and gray-bearded heads of families walks up toward a broad hill, the young king Solomon small among them on foot, and far ahead on the hilltop the white linen hangings of the tabernacle's court catch the sun.

Then 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. And 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.

0:19

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Now 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. But 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.

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

Gibeon and Jerusalem

David had brought the ark from Kiriath-jearim to a tent he pitched for it in Jerusalem. The Tent of Meeting and Bezalel’s bronze altar stood on the hill at Gibeon, about six miles northwest of the city, and there Solomon took the assembly to seek the LORD.

Reflect

Where do you go first?

Solomon’s first act as king was to take the whole assembly to the bronze altar at Gibeon, and “Solomon and the assembly inquired of Him there.” When something new begins for you, a job, a year, a responsibility, where do you go first? What would it look like to begin by seeking Him?

Solomon offered sacrifices there before the LORD on the bronze altar at the Tent of Meeting, where he offered a thousand burnt offerings.

God

That night God appeared to Solomon and said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”

Solomon

Solomon replied to God: “You have shown much loving devotion to my father David, and You have made me king in his place. Now, 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. Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”

God

God 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— therefore 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.”

Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?

2 Chronicles 1:10

Pray

Wisdom for the people in your care

Solomon asked for wisdom to serve the people God had given him, not for riches or long life: “Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people.” Ask God for wisdom for the people He has put in your care, a family, a class, a team, a church. Thank Him that He gives generously to all who ask.

So Solomon went to Jerusalem from the high place in Gibeon, from before the Tent of Meeting, and he reigned over Israel.

Solomon’s Riches

A 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.

Question

Quick question

At Gibeon God said to the young king, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”

What did Solomon ask God for at Gibeon?

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2 Chronicles 1

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A verse to carry with you

Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?

2 Chronicles 1:10

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