2 Chronicles 1

Solomon’s Request for Wisdom

1Solomon son of David strengthened his hold on his kingdom. ^aThe Lord his God was with him and highly exalted him. ^b2Then Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to every leader in all Israel—the heads of the families. ^c3Solomon and the whole assembly with him went to the high place that was in Gibeon ^dbecause God’s tent of meeting, which the Lord’s servant Moses had made ^ein the wilderness, was there. ⁴Now David had brought the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place ^fhe had set up for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem, ^g5but he put ^hthe bronze altar, which Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, had made, ⁱin front of the Lord’s tabernacle. Solomon and the assembly inquired of Him ^jthere. ⁶Solomon offered sacrifices there in the Lord’s presence on the bronze altar at the tent of meeting; he offered 1,000 burnt offerings on it. ^k

⁷That night ^lGod appeared to Solomon and said to him: “Ask. What should I give you?”

⁸And Solomon said to God: “You have shown great and faithful love to my father David, and You have made me king in his place. ^m9Lord God, let Your promise to my father David now come true. ⁿFor You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. ^o10Now grant me wisdom and knowledge so that I may lead these people, ^pfor who can judge this great people of Yours?”

¹¹God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart, and you have not requested riches, wealth, or glory, or for the life of those who hate you, and you have not even requested long life, but you have requested for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king, ¹²wisdom and knowledge are given to you. I will also give you riches, wealth, and glory, unlike what was given to the kings who were before you, or will be given to those after you.” ^q13So Solomon went to Jerusalem from ^rthe high place that was in Gibeon in front of the tent of meeting, and he reigned over Israel.

Solomon’s Horses and Wealth

¹⁴Solomon ^saccumulated 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, ^twhich he stationed in the chariot cities ^uand with the king in Jerusalem. ¹⁵The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedar as abundant as sycamore in the Judean foothills. ¹⁶Solomon’s horses came from Egypt and Kue. ^vThe king’s traders would get them from Kue at the going price. ¹⁷A chariot could be imported from Egypt for 15 pounds ^wof silver and a horse for about four pounds. ^xIn the same way, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Aram through their agents.