This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.
Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&handling) for each page to:
Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418
HERE
Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of
Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just
mail your request for COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.
2CHRONICLES
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 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 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 Kirjath-je'arim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.
5 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 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.
Solomon actually reigned as king while David was alive. But when David died, Solomon was fully accepted as king. He was "strengthened in his kingdom," because "God was with him."
7 In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.
8 And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.
9 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 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?
The Bible tells us that God is constantly watching over the earth, and will "show Himself strong" in behalf of those whose "heart is perfect toward Him." (2Chronicles 16:9)
11 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 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.
God GRANTED Solomon's request! He told Solomon that there never had been a man as wise as he, and that there never would be a man as wise as he.
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.
As a sort of punctuation mark after the statement of God, there is a listing of the wealth of Solomon. He had chariots, horses, horsemen, silver, gold, cedar, and linen. Please continue in Bible Study with us.
CHAPTER 1
Solomon wanted to make sacrifices to God in adoration of God's grace to him. So he gathered all the elders, and went to Gibeon. The ark of the covenant was in Jerusalem, but the altar upon which normal sacrifices for the nation were made, was in Gibeon.
There Solomon offered sacrifices, and there God appeared to him.
Solomon was seeking to praise and worship God, and God was seeking to BLESS Solomon. God is still watching over all the earth to BLESS those whose hearts are truly seeking to praise and worship Him.
When God appeared to Solomon, He told him to ask whatever he wanted. Solomon asked for WISDOM to lead the people.
Leading the nation of Israel was a large task, and Solomon's desire was to lead in relation to God's will. Therefore, he needed wisdom.
As subjects of God in this earth today, wisdom is the principal thing we need.
"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." (Proverbs 4:7)
God was so pleased with Solomon's request that He also poured out more grace, "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20)
Solomon was given riches, wealth and honor more than any man every in the earth.
What a GREAT GOD we have!
Again, let me say, God is seeking to BLESS those who desire to praise and worship Him. That doesn't mean that God will make us as rich as Solomon. But God will always grant wisdom to those who seek Him.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that given to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given to him."(James 1:5)