Second Chronicles 1:1

The Bible says in Second Chronicles 1:1-6, “And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.[2] Then 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.[3] So 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.[4] But 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.[5] Moreover 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.[6] And 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.” God was blessing Solomon and Solomon was serving God. Verse six shows us that Solomon is at the tabernacle because there is no temple yet. The fact that Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings to the Lord shows us the zeal with which Solomon was serving God at that time. He was holding nothing back.

The Bible says in Second Chronicles 1:7-10, “In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.[8] And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.[9] Now, 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.[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?” God said to Solomon, “Ask what I shall give thee.” God has said the same thing to every believer many times. It is one of the great promises of the Bible. For example, it says in Jeremiah 33:3, “Ask of me, and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things that thou knowest not.” Jesus said in John 15:16, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; and whatsoever ye ask the father in my name, he will give it to you.” Jesus also said in Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” And of course, many other promises just like these are in the Bible. Before Solomon asked for anything, he pointed out that God had greatly blessed him. Solomon mentions God’s “mercy” first of all in verse eight. And not just mercy, but Solomon said, “Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father…” Solomon’s mother was Bathsheba. Yes, God showed great mercy to David, and God has shown great mercy to us also through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And Solomon recognized that God had set up Solomon to be king. Whatever you have in your life, God has given to you also. God wants us to recognize what He has done for us and to be thankful for it.

Solomon could have asked for anything, and he asked for “wisdom and knowledge” in order that he could fulfil his responsibilities properly. Jesus said, “Seek and ye shall find.” Seek the right things, and God will give those things to you. We all need wisdom from God, and God invites every believer to do what Solomon did: ask God for wisdom. It says in James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

The Bible says in Second Chronicles 1:11-12, “And 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:[12] 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.” Perhaps the answer that God gives to Solomon shows what people usually ask God to give them. The first on the list is riches. Most people want to be rich. It is better to be satisfied with having what you need. Many people want to be honored: in other words people tend to think that being famous is a good thing. Actually, riches and fame destroy many people. Jesus said that “hardly” shall a rich man enter into heaven. That is because people love their riches in a way that keeps them from coming to Christ for the salvation of their souls. Jesus said, “What shall it profit a man should he gain the whole world, but lose his own soul?” Fame destroys people because of the human ego. Famous people often lose the ability to be normal. If they are very famous, they cannot go where they want or when they want. They have serious security concerns. Often they end up not being able to trust anyone. They are hounded by photographers and fans. No one will even regard them as if they are a normal person. Because they are famous, they cannot become who they were meant to be. That is not a destiny to wish on anyone.

God said that Solomon also did not ask the life of his enemies. Revenge is often on people’s minds. How can they get even with others? And they even ask God to help them do it. Solomon as king would have had many enemies. Maybe Solomon knew what all believers should know: God is going to take care of us. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and the Good Shepherd always takes care of His sheep.

Notice that in God’s answer, God said that He was going to give Solomon wisdom and knowledge, but also riches and honor. Interesting that God did not say anything about revenge on Solomon’s enemies. That is because God already has a plan for every person. And God does not want us to ask for their judgment. He wants us to ask for their salvation.

The Bible says in Second Chronicles 1:13-17, “Then 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.[14] And 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.[15] And 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.[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 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.” Solomon was given wisdom on how to be a good king and take care of his nation. What was the first thing that he did with this great wisdom from God? He went and strengthened his army. That is how God took care of Solomon’s enemies: God gave Solomon wisdom on how to be prepared for those enemies. Good leaders understand that their country has enemies in this world, and they must be prepared in case they are attacked.

The Bible says in Second Chronicles 2:1, “And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.” Solomon combined government and religion because that is the way it was in the Old Testament. Obviously, Solomon wanted to make an emphasis on the one true God in his country. He did what he could to assist in the worship of God. That is what we do when we preach the gospel or witness for Christ. Solomon was able to build the temple because it was God’s will. David was not able to build the temple even though he wanted to. If something does not succeed for you, it means that it was not God’s will. If something does succeed, it means that God made it a success.

The Bible says in Second Chronicles 2:2-10, “And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.[3] And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me.[4] Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.[5] And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.[6] But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?[7] Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.[8] Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,[9] Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great.[10] And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.” Solomon needs to purchase supplies for building the temple from the king of Tyre. Notice that Solomon is a witness to the king of Tyre. Solomon tells the king of Tyre exactly what Solomon is going to do and why in building the temple. In order to be a witness for God in this world all that you have to do is tell people the truth. Tell them what you are doing and why you are doing it. Tell them that you are a true believer walking in fellowship with Jesus. Tell them that what you are doing is by faith in the Lord because He is guiding your life, and He is putting on your heart the things that He wants you to do. Tell people those things. Be open about them. In verses four and five Solomon said to the king of Tyre, “Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.[5] And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.”

Notice that Solomon said about the temple in verse six, “But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?” The temple symbolized the presence of God, but God did not really dwell there. God is everywhere. That is why Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” Do not ever think that there is a holy place or a holy building where God exists more than anywhere else. God is right where you are. Come boldly into His presence and find mercy and grace because of Jesus right where you are. You do not have to go anywhere or enter into any building to experience that.

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