1-6 The solemn offering of Solomon at Gibeon 7-12 Solomon's choice of wisdom is blessed by God 13-17 Solomon's forces and wealth

was strengthened 1Ki 2:12,46

the Lord Ge 21:22 39:2,21 Ex 3:12 1Ch 17:8 Mt 28:20

magnified 1Ch 29:25 Php 2:9-11

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.

Then Solomon This seems to have taken place a short time after David's decease, and, according to some, in the {second} year of Solomon's reign; when being established in his kingdom, he convened his chief men, and spake to them concerning the solemn sacrifice which he purposed to offer to God.

to the captains 2Ch 29:20 30:1 34:29,30 1Ch 13:1 15:3 27:1 28:1 29:1

the chief 1Ch 15:12 24:4,31

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.

Gibeon 1Ki 3:4 1Ch 16:39 21:29

the tabernacle Ex 26:1 40:2,34 Le 1:1

the servant De 34:5

4 But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjathjearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.

the ark The tabernacle and the brazen altar still remained at Gibeon; but David had brought away the ark out of the tabernacle, and placed it in a tent in Jerusalem. 2Sa 7:2,17 1Ch 13:5,6 15:1,25-28

for he had pitched 1Ch 16:1 Ps 132:5,6

5 Moreover the brazen 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.

the brasen Ex 27:1-8 38:1-7

Bezaleel Ex 31:2 1Ch 2:19,20

he put. or, was there
sought unto it went to seek the Lord there.

6 And Solomon went up thither to the brazen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.

a thousand 1Ki 3:4 8:63 1Ch 29:21 Isa 40:16

7 In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.

In that night This was the night following the sacrifice which Solomon had offered 1Ki 3:5-15 Pr 3:5,6

Ask Mt 7:7,8 Mr 10:36,27,51 Joh 16:23 1Jo 5:14,15

8 And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast showed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.

Thou has shewed 2Sa 7:8,9 12:7,8 22:51 23:1 Ps 86:13 89:20-28,49 Isa 55:3

to reign 1Ch 28:5 29:23

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.

let thy promise 2Sa 7:12-16,25-29 1Ch 17:11-14,23-27 28:6,7 Ps 89:35-37 132:11,12

for thou hast 1Ki 3:7,8

like the dust [heb] much as the dust Ge 13:16 22:17 Nu 23:10

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?

give me 1Ki 3:9 Ps 119:34,73 Pr 2:2-6 3:13-18 4:7 Jas 1:5

go out Nu 27:17 De 31:2 2Sa 5:2

for who can 2Co 2:16 3:5

11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honor, 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:

Because This does not occur in Kings: and it implies that the request of Solomon, as arising from a spiritual judgment and heart, was peculiarly acceptable to that God who searches, regards, and demands the heart. God promised Solomon all the things which he had not asked, except the life of his enemies; for he was to be a peaceable king, a type of the Prince of peace.

this was 1Sa 16:7 1Ki 3:11-13 8:18 1Ch 28:2 29:17,18 Pr 23:7 Ac 5:4 Heb 4:12

that thou mayest 1Ki 3:28 Pr 14:8 Jas 3:13,17

12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.

I will give Mt 6:33 Eph 3:20

such as none 2Ch 9:22 1Ch 29:25 Ec 2:9 Jas 1:5

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.

at Gibeon 2Ch 1:3

reigned 1Ki 4:24,25

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.

Solomon 2Ch 9:25 De 17:16 1Ki 4:26 10:16,26

the chariot cities Cities where the chariots, and horses belonging to them, were kept

15 And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycamore trees that are in the vale for abundance.

the king He destroyed its value by making it so exceedingly plentiful 2Ch 1:12 9:27 1Ki 10:27 Job 22:24,25 Isa 60:17

made [heb] gave
sycamore trees 2Ch 9:27 Isa 9:10 Am 7:14

16 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.

Solomon [heb] the going forth of the horses which was Solomon's 2Ch 9:28 1Ki 10:28,29

linen yarn The word () mikweh, is regarded by the ancient translators as a proper name: the LXX have () `from Tekoa,' the Vulgate, de Coa, `from Koa,' which is adopted by Dr. Geddes; the Syriac, `from the city Aphelia;' and the Arabic, `ex urbe Australium.' Bochart thinks it signifies a tribute; others suppose that it signifies a string or drove of horses, or as Jarchi says, what the Germans call () a stud; but Houbigant supposes it to be a corruption for mercavah, `chariots.' Our English translation, however, which regards it as synonymous with {tikwah}, seems by far the best. According to Norden, linen yarn is still one of the principal articles of commerce in Egypt, and is exported in very large quantities, together with unmanufactured flax and spun cotton; and Sanutus, 400 years ago, remarked that though Christian countries abounded in flax, yet the goodness of the Egyptian was such, that it was dispersed even to the west.

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.

the kings 2Ki 10:29

means [heb] hand