Add parallel Print Page Options

¶ And Solomon, the son of David, was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and magnified him exceedingly.

Then Solomon spoke unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds and to the judges and to every prince in all Israel, the chief of the fathers.

So Solomon and all the congregation with him went to the high place that was at Gibeon, for there was the tabernacle of the testimony of God, which Moses the slave of the LORD had made in the wilderness.

But David had brought the ark of God up from Kirjathjearim to the place which David had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.

Moreover, the brasen altar that Bezaleel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made was there before the tabernacle of the LORD; and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it.

And Solomon went up there to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the testimony, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.

And that night God appeared unto Solomon and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.

And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast showed great mercy unto David, my father, and hast placed me as king in his stead.

Now, O LORD God, let thy word unto David, my father, be established, for thou hast placed me as king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.

10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?

11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thy heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth or glory, nor the life of thy enemies, neither yet hast asked long life, but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou may judge my people, over whom I have placed thee as king,

12 wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will also give thee riches and wealth and glory such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall any after thee have the like.

13 ¶ Then Solomon returned to Jerusalem from the high place that was at Gibeon, from before the tabernacle of the testimony, and reigned over Israel.

14 And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen, and he had a thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.

15 And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and he made cedar trees as the sycamore trees that are in the vale for abundance.

16 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn; the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price.

17 And they went up and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver and a horse for one hundred and fifty; and so they brought out horses for all the kings of the Hittites and for the kings of Syria, by their hands.

Solomon Asks for Wisdom(A)(B)

Solomon son of David established(C) himself firmly over his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with(D) him and made him exceedingly great.(E)

Then Solomon spoke to all Israel(F)—to the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, to the judges and to all the leaders in Israel, the heads of families— and Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon,(G) for God’s tent of meeting(H) was there, which Moses(I) the Lord’s servant had made in the wilderness. Now David had brought up the ark(J) of God from Kiriath Jearim to the place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent(K) for it in Jerusalem. But the bronze altar(L) that Bezalel(M) son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made was in Gibeon in front of the tabernacle of the Lord; so Solomon and the assembly inquired(N) of him there. Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord in the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.

That night God appeared(O) to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me(P) king in his place. Now, Lord God, let your promise(Q) to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth.(R) 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead(S) this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

11 God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth,(T) possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor,(U) such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.(V)

13 Then Solomon went to Jerusalem from the high place at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting. And he reigned over Israel.

14 Solomon accumulated chariots(W) and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses,[a] which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. 15 The king made silver and gold(X) as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills. 16 Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue[b]—the royal merchants purchased them from Kue at the current price. 17 They imported a chariot(Y) from Egypt for six hundred shekels[c] of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty.[d] They also exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and of the Arameans.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 1:14 Or charioteers
  2. 2 Chronicles 1:16 Probably Cilicia
  3. 2 Chronicles 1:17 That is, about 15 pounds or about 6.9 kilograms
  4. 2 Chronicles 1:17 That is, about 3 3/4 pounds or about 1.7 kilograms