1:1 Solomon son of David solidified his royal authority, for the Lord his God was with him and magnified him greatly.
1 & 2 Chronicles was originally one book. It was most likely written by Ezra for the Jews who were returning to Israel after the Babylonian Captivity. The book was written from God’s viewpoint, instead of man’s viewpoint. 1-2 Chronicles emphasized Solomon’s building of the temple, because the returning Israelites would have to rebuild the temple which was destroyed by the Babylonians. This book also emphasized the five good kings of Judah who led revivals. Ezra was also attempting to lead a revival back to God.
God promised David that he would bless Solomon and give him peace during his reign. Solomon was not David’s first choice as king. David saw Solomon as an inexperienced sissy. David loved his oldest son Absalom and probably wanted Absalom to become king. However, Absalom was not God’s choice as king.
1:2 Solomon addressed all Israel, including those who commanded units of a thousand and a hundred, the judges, and all the leaders of all Israel who were heads of families.
Solomon addressed the leadership of Israel.
1:3 Solomon and the entire assembly went to the worship center in Gibeon, for the tent where they met God was located there, which Moses the Lord’s servant had made in the wilderness.
The ark of the covenant was located in Jerusalem. The original tabernacle tent was located in Gibeon.
1:4 (Now David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to the place he had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem.
David made a new tent for the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem.
1:5 But the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, was in front of the Lord’s tabernacle. Solomon and the entire assembly prayed to him there.)
The bronze altar was the place where the sacrifices were slain. These sacrifices pointed to Christ.
1:6 Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord which was at the meeting tent, and he offered up a thousand burnt sacrifices.
Solomon offered 1,000 burnt offerings. Israel had to be very prosperous to make this kind of sacrifice.
1:7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Tell me what I should give you.”
God offered one wish to Solomon.
1:8 Solomon replied to God, “You demonstrated great loyalty to my father David and have made me king in his place.
Solomon recognized that God made his father a great king.
1:9 Now, Lord God, may your promise to my father David be realized, for you have made me king over a great nation as numerous as the dust of the earth.
Solomon used a metaphor to describe the population growth of Israel. The Holy Spirit often uses figures of speech, such as similes and metaphors, to convey a literal concept. Solomon was simply saying in figurative language that the population of Israel was at its greatest height. Skeptics attempt to call these figures of speech as “biblical errors.” God is an artist. He created music, poetry, prose, art, and figures of speech to better explain the Word of God.
1:10 Now give me wisdom and discernment so I can effectively lead this nation. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours.”
Solomon asked for political wisdom and discernment. He wanted to possess the political wisdom of his father. He should have asked for spiritual wisdom and discernment, because this became his weakness.
1:11 God said to Solomon, “Because you desire this, and did not ask for riches, wealth, and honor, or for vengeance on your enemies, and because you did not ask for long life, but requested wisdom and discernment so you can make judicial decisions for my people over whom I have made you king, 1:12 you are granted wisdom and discernment. Furthermore I am giving you riches, wealth, and honor surpassing that of any king before or after you.”
God approved of Solomon’s request. He also made Solomon the wealthiest king in history. His wealth would later be transferred to other kings in his family line. Other nations will desire this wealth, causing them to attack and plunder Israel.
1:13 Solomon left the meeting tent at the worship center in Gibeon and went to Jerusalem, where he reigned over Israel.
Solomon left the celebration and returned to his capital city.
1:14 Solomon accumulated chariots and horses. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses. He kept them in assigned cities and in Jerusalem.
Accumulating chariots and horses was a violation of the Mosaic Law. Kings were not allowed to multiply wives or horses. God wanted His kings trusting in God and not in chariots.
1:15 The king made silver and gold as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones; cedar was as plentiful as sycamore fig trees are in the lowlands.
Solomon used his wisdom to corner the gold market. The model homes of his day were made of cedar trees. Only the rich could afford these types of cedar homes, but they were plentiful in Israel.
1:16 Solomon acquired his horses from Egypt and from Que; the king’s traders purchased them from Que.
Solomon purchased the best horses in the world. Archaeologists have excavated Solomon’s stables.
1:17 They paid 600 silver pieces for each chariot from Egypt, and 150 silver pieces for each horse. They also sold chariots and horses to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Syria.
Before the late 1800’s, there was no archaeological evidence of the Hittites. Skeptics ridiculed the Bible for mentioning them as real historical people. Then, archaeologists dug up forty Hittite cities. Skeptics no longer use this argument.