2 Chronicles 1

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 Kirjath-jearim 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.footnote a

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.footnote b

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.footnote c

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

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.footnote e

Solomon’s Prayer 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 beforefootnote a 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 devotionfootnote b 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.footnote c 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.

Solomon’s Riches

14Solomon accumulatedfootnote d 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses,footnote e 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.footnote f

16Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and Kue;footnote g the royal merchants purchased them from Kue. 17A chariot could be imported from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver,footnote h and a horse for a hundred and fifty.footnote i Likewise, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Aram.