Solomon Worships at Gibeon
Study note
After David died, his son Solomon became king. Solomon's first act was to gather all of Israel's leaders and go to Gibeon, about six miles northwest of Jerusalem. The tabernacle that Moses had built in the wilderness was still there, along with the bronze altar. The ark of the covenant, however, had already been moved to Jerusalem by David. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the bronze altar as an act of devotion to God.
1 Solomon son of David established himself firmly on the throne. The Lord his God stood with him and made him extremely powerful. And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.
2 Solomon spoke to the whole nation of Israel. He addressed the army leaders, the judges, every chief, and all the family heads. 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 Solomon and all the people went to the worship center at Gibeon. That is where God's Tent of Meeting was. Moses, the Lord's servant, had built it in the wilderness. 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 David had already moved the ark of God from Kiriath-Jearim to Jerusalem. He had set up a special tent for it there. 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 But the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri was still at Gibeon, in front of the Lord's tabernacle. So Solomon and the people went there to worship the Lord. 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 Solomon went up to the bronze altar in front of the Lord at the Tent of Meeting. He offered a thousand burnt offerings on it. 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 Offers Solomon a Gift
Study note
That night God appeared to Solomon and told him to ask for anything he wanted. Instead of asking for riches, long life, or victory over his enemies, Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge to lead God's people well. God was so pleased with this unselfish request that he promised to give Solomon not only wisdom but also wealth and honor greater than any king before or after him.
7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said, 'Ask me for anything you want, and I will give it to you.' In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.
8 Solomon replied, 'You showed great kindness to my father David, and now you have made me king to take his place.' And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.
9 'Lord God, please keep the promise you made to my father David. You have made me king over a nation with as many people as there are specks of dust on the ground.' 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 'So please give me wisdom and knowledge to lead these people well. Without your help, who could possibly govern this great nation of yours?' 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?
11 God said to Solomon, 'This is what you truly wanted in your heart. You did not ask for wealth, riches, or fame. You did not ask for your enemies to die, or even for a long life. Instead, you asked for wisdom and knowledge so you could lead my people whom I made you king over.' 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 are yours! And on top of that, I will give you wealth, riches, and honor greater than any king has ever had before you or will have after you.' 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.
Solomon's Wealth and Power
Study note
Solomon returned to Jerusalem and began to build up his kingdom. He gathered 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen. Silver and gold became as common as stones in Jerusalem. Solomon also became a major dealer in horses and chariots, importing them from Egypt and selling them to the Hittite and Syrian kings at a profit.
13 Solomon left the worship center at Gibeon. He went back to Jerusalem and ruled Israel. 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 Solomon built up a large force of chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen. He stationed some in special chariot cities and kept the rest near him in Jerusalem. 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 Under Solomon, silver and gold became as common as stones in Jerusalem. Cedar wood became as easy to find as fig trees in the lowlands. 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 Solomon imported his horses from Egypt and from other countries. The king's buyers purchased them at standard market prices. And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
17 A chariot from Egypt cost 600 pieces of silver, and a horse cost 150. They also exported horses and chariots to the Hittite kings and the Syrian kings. 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.