History · Chapter 1 of 36
2 Chronicles 1
Solomon is strengthened in his kingdom, and God is with him. He leads Israel to worship at Gibeon, offering a thousand burnt offerings on the bronze altar. That night God appears and invites him to ask for anything. Solomon requests wisdom to govern God's vast people rather than wealth or long life, and God grants wisdom plus riches and honor beyond any king. Solomon returns to reign in Jerusalem.
What happens in 2 Chronicles 1
Solomon the son of David is established in his kingdom, for the LORD his God is with him and magnifies him. He gathers all Israel's leaders and goes to the high place at Gibeon, where the tabernacle Moses made still stands with the bronze altar Bezaleel built. There Solomon offers a thousand burnt offerings. That night God appears and says, 'Ask what I shall give thee.' Solomon recalls God's mercy to David and pleads that God's promise be established, then asks for wisdom and knowledge to lead a people as numberless as dust.
God is pleased that he did not ask for riches, honor, the death of enemies, or long life, and grants him wisdom along with unmatched wealth and honor. Solomon returns from Gibeon to Jerusalem and reigns, gathering chariots, horses, and silver in great abundance.
2 Chronicles 1 in context
Second Chronicles opens with Solomon secure on the throne his father David prepared. The Chronicler, writing for the post-exilic community, presents Solomon chiefly as a worshiper and temple-builder. This first chapter sets the pattern: before any building or wealth, Solomon seeks God at the altar and asks first for wisdom to serve.
His prosperity flows from that priority, modeling the order the returned exiles are called to keep.
Main themes of 2 Chronicles 1
2 Chronicles 1 (KJV)
1And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly. 2Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers. 3So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness. 4But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjathjearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem. 5Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it. 6And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it. 7In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. 8And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. 9Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. 10Give 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? 11And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: 12Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like. 13Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel. 14And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. 15And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the vale for abundance. 16And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price. 17And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their means.
Verses to carry from 2 Chronicles 1
“In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.”2 Chronicles 1:7
“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?”2 Chronicles 1:10
“Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.”2 Chronicles 1:12
Thematic connection
How 2 Chronicles 1 points to Jesus
Solomon asks for wisdom, and God makes him the wisest of kings, yet Jesus says, 'a greater than Solomon is here.' Christ is not merely a wise ruler but the wisdom of God in person, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Solomon's request models the prayer every believer may pray, for James promises that God gives wisdom generously to all who ask.
Where Solomon later stumbles despite his gift, Christ never fails, ruling His people with perfect understanding and justice. And where Solomon offered a thousand animals on the altar, Jesus offers Himself once for all, the true and final sacrifice that opens the way for us to seek God's face and receive His wisdom freely.
Questions about 2 Chronicles 1
Why was God pleased that Solomon asked for wisdom instead of wealth or long life?
Solomon's request revealed his true concern: the good of the people God had entrusted to him, not his own comfort, security, or revenge. God reads the heart behind every prayer, and this one showed humility and a sense of duty. Because Solomon valued the right things, God gave him wisdom and added the very blessings he had not sought.
Does God still give wisdom to those who ask?
Yes. James 1:5 promises that if anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously and without reproach. Solomon's night at Gibeon shows the pattern: come to God in worship, acknowledge your need, and ask for what serves others rather than only yourself. God still delights to answer such prayers, often supplying far more than we thought to request.
Reflection
Given one open request, what would you ask for? Solomon's answer exposed his heart, and yours would too. The invitation to ask still stands, and God still delights to give wisdom to those who want to serve well. Before you chase provision, seek the One who provides and the wisdom to steward it.
A prayer from 2 Chronicles 1
Read the whole Bible with the family
Open it in the app, study it live with someone, and let it lead you to Christ.
Open the BibleRead it togetherSee what God is doing