1 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 spoke to 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 Kirjathjearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.

5 Moreover the brazen 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 to it.

6 And Solomon went up thither to the brazen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.

7 In that night did God appear to Solomon, and said to him, Ask what I shall give you.

8 And Solomon said to God, You have showed great mercy to David my father, and have made me to reign in his stead.

9 Now, O LORD God, let your promise to David my father be established: for you have 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 your people, that is so great?

11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of your enemies, neither yet have asked long life; but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king:

12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted to you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, neither shall there any after you have the like.

13 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.

was strengthened: i.e. after the events recorded in 1Chr 28and 1Chr 29; 1Kings 1and 1Kings 2.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

Solomon spake. Thus beginning his reign as David had ended his ( 1Ch 28:1) by a solemn assembly.

captains = princes.

chief = heads.

congregation = convocation, or muster.

went. For the reason, see 1Ki 3:4.

Gibeon = a high place.

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew ’ohel. App-40.

congregation = assembly.

Moses the servant of the LORD. See note on Deu 34:5.

But = But indeed.

the ark. See note on 1Ch 13:3. Exo 25:22.

brought up. Compare 2Sa 6:2, 2Sa 6:17. 1Ch 15:1.

the brasen altar. This is additional and supplementary to the account in 1Ki 3.

he put. So some codices, with two early printed editions; but many codices, with four early printed editions, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "was there.

the. Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate read "all the".

before. A special various reading called Sevir (App-34) reads "which [was] before".

congregation = assembly.

offered = offered up. Hebrew. alah. App-43.

In that night. Compare 1Ki 3:5-15.

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

unto = with.

like the dust. Figures of speech Paroemia and Hyperbole. App-6.

knowledge. Hebrew. madda’. A rare word = inner consciousness. Occurs only here, verses: 2Ch 1:11-12, Ecc 10:20 ("thought"). Dan 1:4 ("science"). Dan 1:17 = knowledge (gained by experience, Gen 2:9); while "wisdom" = knowledge (gained by study).

go out . . . come in. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6, put for manner of life in general.

who can judge . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.

People, that is so great? or, this Thy great People?

this was in thine heart. Supplementary to the account in Kings.

the life = the soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

long life = many days.

came from his journey to. Septuagint and Vulgate read "came from".

as stones . . . as the sycomore trees. Figure of speech Hyperbole.

horses. Compare Deu 17:16.

linen yarn = in droves. See note on 1Ki 10:28, 1Ki 10:29.

price = tariff.

by their means. Compare 1Ki 10:26-29.