2 Chronicles 1

Solomon Worships at Gibeon

1Now 1Solomon the son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and 2exalted him greatly.

2Solomon spoke to all Israel, 3to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and to the judges and to every leader in all Israel, the heads of the fathers’ households. 3Then Solomon and all the assembly with him went to 4the high place which was at Gibeon, 5for God’s tent of meeting was there, which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness. 4However, David had brought up 6the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim 7to 8the place he had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. 5Now 9the bronze altar, which Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, 10was there before the tabernacle of the Lord, and Solomon and the assembly sought it out. 6Solomon went up there before the Lord to the bronze altar which was at the tent of meeting, and 11offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.

712In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.”

Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom

8Solomon said to God, “You have dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and 13have made me king in his place. 9Now, O Lord God, 14Your 15promise to my father David is fulfilled, for You have made me king over 16a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 1017Give me now wisdom and knowledge, 18that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?” 1119God said to Solomon, “Because 20you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, 12wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And 21I will give you riches and wealth and honor, 22such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will 23come after you.” 1324So Solomon went 25from the high place which was at Gibeon, from the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem, and he reigned over Israel.

Solomon’s Wealth

1426Solomon amassed chariots and horsemen. 27He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, and he stationed them in 28the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem. 1529The king made 30silver and gold as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as plentiful as sycamores in the 31lowland. 16Solomon’s 32horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue; the king’s traders procured them from Kue for a price. 17They 33imported chariots from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver apiece and horses for 150 apiece, and 34by the same means they 35exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Aram.