Chapter 1

1 The solemn offering of Solomon at Gibeon. 7 Solomon’s choice of wisdom is blessed by God. 13 Solomon’s strength and wealth.

1. Was strengthened. Or, “strengthened himself,” or, “established himself.”

Was with him. Compare 1 Chron. 9:20; 11:9. One of the most important lessons of the books of Chronicles is that the presence and blessing of the Lord grant men true success.

Magnified him exceedingly. Compare 1 Chron. 29:25.

3. Gibeon. A town 6 mi. (9.6 km.) northwest of Jerusalem. The earlier inhabitants worshiped at high places, and at times this term is employed for centers of the worship of God. According to 1 Kings 3:4 Solomon went to Gibeon to offer sacrifice to God.

The tabernacle. Nearly 480 years (see 1 Kings 6:1) had passed since Moses, on the occasion of the Exodus from Egypt, constructed the wilderness tabernacle. This ancient and sacred structure, which had meant so much in the history of Israel, was still the center of worship for the people of God. It had been erected to serve as a place where God promised to meet with His people (Ex. 25:8, 22; Num. 17:4), and here they continued to come that they might draw close to the presence of the Lord.

4. But the ark. Contrary to the command of Moses, Israel had, in effect, two national centers of worship (Deut. 12:5, 6, 11, 13, 18; 16:2; 26:2; 31:11).

Tent. See 1 Chron. 15:1.

5. The brasen altar. See Ex. 27:1–8 for the directions given concerning the making of the brazen altar, and Ex. 38:1–7 for an account of the making of the altar.

Bezaleel. See Ex. 31:2; 35:30. For his genealogy see 1 Chron. 2:3–20. He descended from Judah through Hezron, Caleb, and Hur (1 Chron. 2:3–5, 18–20).

He put. Heb. sam. A number of Hebrew manuscripts read sham, an adverb meaning “there.” If this reading is adopted the clause becomes, “was there before the tabernacle.” The LXX agrees.

Sought unto it. This may also be translated, “sought unto him.” In the Hebrew the antecedent of “it” may be either “altar” or “Lord.” The LXX supports the reading of the KJV.

6. Before the Lord. The tabernacle built by Moses was God’s sanctuary or dwelling place (Ex. 25:8). The altar stood before the entrance to the tabernacle (Ex. 40:6), and was thus regarded as standing before the Lord (see Judges 20:23, 26).

Burnt offerings. Compare 1 Kings 3:4.

7. Did God appear. The communication was in a dream (1 Kings 3:5).

8. Shewed great mercy. Compare the fuller statement of Solomon’s reply in 1 Kings 3:6–9.

9. Thy promise. That is, the promise that David’s house and that of Solomon should be established forever (1 Chron. 17:23–27; 28:7).

Like the dust. Compare the parallel statement, “a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude” (1 Kings 3:8).

10. Wisdom and knowledge. See on 1 Kings 3:9.

Go out and come in. That is, lead the people as a shepherd (Num. 27:17). Compare 1 Kings 3:7.

12. Wealth, and honour. Compare 1 Chron. 29:25. The abridged account here omits the conditional promise of long life mentioned in 1 Kings 3:14.

13. From his journey to the high place. The words “from his journey” are not found in the Hebrew, which reads simply, “And Solomon came to the high place that was in Gibeon to Jerusalem.” Obviously some explanatory phrase is needed or else, with the LXX, “from the high place” should be read instead of “to the high place.”

The record in Chronicles omits such details as Solomon’s awakening to discover that he had a dream, his coming to Jerusalem to offer up sacrifices at the sanctuary there (1 Kings 3:15), and the narrative of his judgment in the case of the two harlots and the child (1 Kings 3:16–28).

14. Chariots and horsemen. See on 1 Kings 10:26. The account of Solomon’s chariots and horsemen, his treasures of silver and gold, and his activities in the trading of horses and chariots between Egypt and the kings of the Hittites and Syria (2 Chron. 1:14–17) is almost identical with the account in 1 Kings 10:26–29.

15. Gold. This metal is not mentioned in the parallel statement of 1 Kings 10:27 or in 2 Chron. 9:27.

Sycomore trees. This is not the sycamore tree so common in America and England, but the sycamore fig (see 1 Chron. 27:28), which was common in the lowlands of Judah and in the Jordan valley.

16. Linen yarn. See on 1 Kings 10:28 for a full discussion of the parallel text.

17. Hittites. At the time of Solomon the Hittite empire had broken in pieces, but many minor Hittite kingdoms were still in existence in northern Syria, in the vicinity of the Euphrates.

Ellen G. White comments

1 PK 32

2, 3 PK 27

11 PK 28

7–12Ed 48; 3T 449; 9T 281

12 PK 29

15 PK 54

16 PK 56