Bible Commentary


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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: 1Ki 2:12, 1Ki 2:46

the Lord: Gen 21:22, Gen 39:2, Gen 39:21, Exo 3:12, 1Ch 17:8, Mat 28:20

magnified: 1Ch 29:25, Php 2:9-11

Reciprocal: Gen 26:28 - was with Jos 3:7 - magnify thee 1Ki 1:37 - As the 2Ch 6:10 - I am risen 2Ch 9:1 - fame 2Ch 11:17 - three years 2Ch 32:23 - he was magnified Ecc 2:9 - General

Then Solomon: This seems to have taken place a short time after David’s decease, and, according to some, in the second year of Solomon’s reign; when being established in his kingdom, he convened his chief men, and spake to them concerning the solemn sacrifice which he purposed to offer to God.

to the captains: 2Ch 29:20, 2Ch 30:2, 2Ch 34:29, 2Ch 34:30, 1Ch 13:1, 1Ch 15:3, 1Ch 27:1, 1Ch 28:1, 1Ch 29:1

the chief: 1Ch 15:12, 1Ch 24:4, 1Ch 24:31

Gibeon: 1Ki 3:4-15, 1Ch 16:39, 1Ch 21:29

the tabernacle: Exo 26:1-37, Exo 40:2, Exo 40:34, Lev 1:1

the servant: Deu 34:5

Reciprocal: Jos 9:17 - Gibeon 1Ki 3:2 - the people 1Ki 8:4 - and the 2Ch 1:13 - at Gibeon 2Ch 5:5 - the tabernacle

the ark: The tabernacle and the brazen altar still remained at Gibeon; but David had brought away the ark out of the tabernacle, and placed it in a tent at Jerusalem. 2Sa 6:2, 2Sa 6:17, 1Ch 13:5, 1Ch 13:6, 1Ch 15:1, 1Ch 15:25-28

for he had pitched: 1Ch 16:1, Psa 132:5, Psa 132:6

Reciprocal: Jos 9:17 - Kirjathjearim Jdg 18:12 - Kirjathjearim 2Sa 7:2 - curtains 1Ch 16:39 - before 1Ch 17:1 - under curtains 2Ch 5:2 - out

the brazen: Exo 27:1-8, Exo 38:1-7

Bezaleel: Exo 31:2, 1Ch 2:19, 1Ch 2:20

he put: or, was there

sought unto it: went to seek the Lord there

Reciprocal: 2Ki 16:14 - the brazen 2Ch 4:1 - an altar Job 22:24 - lay up

a thousand: 1Ki 3:4, 1Ki 8:63, 1Ch 29:21, Isa 40:16

Reciprocal: 2Ch 7:5 - a sacrifice 2Ch 15:11 - seven hundred Mal 3:4 - as

In that night: This was the night following the sacrifice which Solomon had offered. 1Ki 3:5-15, Pro 3:5, Pro 3:6

Ask: Mat 7:7, Mat 7:8, Mar 10:36, Mar 10:37, Mar 10:51, Joh 16:23, 1Jn 5:14, 1Jn 5:15

Reciprocal: Gen 18:1 - appeared 1Ki 3:4 - Gibeon 1Ki 9:2 - as he 2Ch 7:12 - the Lord Psa 119:125 - give Mat 6:33 - seek 1Co 4:7 - and what

Thou has showed: 2Sa 7:8, 2Sa 7:9, 2Sa 12:7, 2Sa 12:8, 2Sa 22:51, 2Sa 23:1, Psa 86:13, Psa 89:20-28, Psa 89:49, Isa 55:3

to reign: 1Ch 28:5, 1Ch 29:23

Reciprocal: 1Ki 2:24 - set me 2Ti 2:7 - and

let thy promise: 2Sa 7:12-16, 2Sa 7:25-29, 1Ch 17:11-14, 1Ch 17:23-27, 1Ch 28:6, 1Ch 28:7, Psa 89:35-37, Psa 132:11, Psa 132:12

for thou hast: 1Ki 3:7, 1Ki 3:8

like the dust: Heb. much as the dust, Gen 13:16, Gen 22:17, Num 23:10

Reciprocal: 1Sa 13:5 - as the sand 1Ki 2:24 - set me 1Ki 8:26 - let thy word 2Ki 2:9 - Elisha said 1Ch 28:5 - to sit Mat 25:16 - went

Give me: 1Ki 3:9, Psa 119:34, Psa 119:73, Pro 2:2-6, Pro 3:13-18, Pro 4:7, Jas 1:5

go out: Num 27:17, Deu 31:2, 2Sa 5:2

for who can: 2Co 2:16, 2Co 3:5

Reciprocal: Deu 28:6 - General 1Ki 4:29 - God 2Ki 2:9 - Elisha said 1Ch 22:12 - Only the 2Ch 2:6 - who am I then 2Ch 2:12 - endued 2Ch 9:23 - God Psa 72:1 - Give Psa 119:169 - give me Pro 2:5 - shalt Ecc 1:16 - Lo Dan 1:17 - God Dan 2:21 - he giveth Mat 25:16 - went

Because: This does not occur in Kings, and it implies that the request of Solomon, as arising from a spiritual judgment and heart, was peculiarly acceptable to that God who searches, regards, and demands the heart. God promised Solomon all the things which he had not asked, except the life of his enemies; for he was to be a peaceable king, a type of the Prince of peace.

this was: 1Sa 16:7, 1Ki 3:11-13, 1Ki 8:18, 1Ch 28:2, 1Ch 29:17, 1Ch 29:18, Pro 23:7, Act 5:4, Heb 4:12

that thou mayest: 1Ki 3:28, Pro 14:8, Jas 3:13, Jas 3:17

Reciprocal: 1Ki 3:12 - I have given 2Ch 18:1 - riches Pro 3:14 - General Ecc 6:2 - a man Jas 1:17 - good

I will give: Mat 6:33, Eph 3:20

such as none: 2Ch 9:22, 1Ch 29:25, Ecc 2:9, Jas 1:5

Reciprocal: 1Ki 3:12 - I have given 1Ki 5:12 - as he promised him 2Ch 1:15 - the king 2Ch 9:1 - fame 2Ch 25:8 - The Lord 2Ch 32:27 - exceeding much Neh 13:26 - yet among Psa 89:27 - higher Pro 3:14 - General Dan 1:17 - God Jas 1:17 - good

at Gibeon: 2Ch 1:3

reigned: 1Ki 4:24, 1Ki 4:25

Reciprocal: 1Ch 16:39 - before 1Ch 21:29 - Gibeon

Solomon: 2Ch 9:25, Deu 17:16, 1Ki 4:26, 1Ki 10:16, 1Ki 10:26-29

the chariot cities: Cities where the chariots, and horses belonging to them, were kept.

Reciprocal: 2Ch 8:6 - chariot cities Son 1:9 - to a

the king: He destroyed its value by making it so exceedingly plentiful. 2Ch 1:12, 2Ch 9:27, 1Ki 10:27-29, Job 22:24, Job 22:25, Isa 60:17

made: Heb. gave

sycamore trees: 2Ch 9:27, Isa 9:10, Amo 7:14

Reciprocal: 1Ki 5:9 - in giving food 2Ch 17:5 - he had riches

Solomon: Heb. the going forth of the horses which was Solomon’s, 2Ch 9:28, 1Ki 10:28-29,

linen yarn: The word מקוא [Strong’s H4723], or מקוה [Strong’s H4723], mikweh, is regarded by the ancient translators as a proper name. The LXX have εκ Θεκουε, "from Tekoa," the Vulgate, de Coa, "from Koa," which is adopted by Dr. Geddes; the Syriac, "from the city Aphelia;" and the Arabic, "ex urbe Australium." Bochart thinks it signifies a tribute; others suppose that it signifies a string or drove of horses, or as Jarchi says, what the Germans call Stutte, a stud; but Houbigant supposes it to be a corruption for mercavah, "chariots." Our English translation, however, which regards it as synonymous with tikwah, seems by far the best. According to Norden, linen yarn is still one of the principal articles of commerce in Egypt, and is exported in very large quantities, together with unmanufactured flax and spun cotton; and Sanutus, 400 years ago, remarked that though Christian countries abounded in flax, yet the goodness of the Egyptian was such, that it was dispersed even to the west.

the kings: 2Ki 10:29

means: Heb. hand

Reciprocal: Jdg 1:26 - the land 1Ki 10:28 - horses brought