And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom ,.... Well settled and established on the throne of his father, after the death of some persons, from whom he might expect trouble, see 1 Kings 2:46 . and the Lord God was with him ; directing and instructing him, prospering and succeeding him: the Targum is,"the Word of the Lord was his help:'and magnified him exceedingly; see 1 Chronicles 29:25 . read more
Then Solomon spake unto all Israel ,.... To their representatives about going to Gibeon to sacrifice, as the next words show: so Jarchi and Kimchi observe: to the captains of thousands, and of hundreds, to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers ; whom he had convened on this occasion; though some think this is the same congregation gathered by his father, by whom he was anointed and made king, and that he spoke of this to them before they broke up, 1... read more
So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon ,.... They agreed to his motion, and went with him thither, see 1 Kings 3:4 . for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness : by the Lord's direction; where was also the altar of the Lord, and so most proper to offer sacrifice on, which was what Solomon went thither to do; see 1 Chronicles 21:29 . read more
But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjathjearim ,.... See 2 Samuel 6:2 . read more
Moreover, the brasen altar that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made ,.... According to the pattern given by Moses, at the direction of God, Exodus 38:1 , he put before the tabernacle of the congregation ; either David, or rather Solomon; though it seems best to read the words as in the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions, "and there it was before the tabernacle"; for it was always there: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it ; to sacrifice unto it; or... read more
And Solomon went up thither ,.... To the high place at Gibeon: to the brasen altar before the lord ; where he used to be, and accept the sacrifices of his people, though the ark, the symbol of his presence, was not there: which was at the tabernacle of the congregation ; that is, which altar was there; or rather "who", that is, God, was there, as Osiander, hearing the prayers of his people, and accepting their offerings: and offered a thousand offerings upon it ; by the priests,... read more
In that night did God appear unto Solomon ,.... From hence to the end of 2 Chronicles 1:12 it is the same with 1 Kings 3:5 . See Gill on 1 Kings 3:5 , 1 Kings 3:6 , 1 Kings 3:7 , 1 Kings 3:8 , 1 Kings 3:9 , 1 Kings 3:10 , 1 Kings 3:11 , 1 Kings 3:12 , 1 Kings 3:13 , 1 Kings 3:14 , 1 Kings 3:15 read more
And Solomon the son of David - The very beginning of this book shows that it is a continuation of the preceding, and should not be thus formally separated from it. See the preface to the first book. The Lord his God was with him - "The Word of the Lord was his support." - Targum. read more
Then Solomon spake - This is supposed to have taken place in the second year of his reign. read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 1:1-12
Here is, I. Solomon's great prosperity, 2 Chron. 1:1. Though he had a contested title, yet, God being with him, he was strengthened in his kingdom; his heart and hands were strengthened, and his interest in the people. God's presence will be our strength. II. His great piety and devotion. His father was a prophet, a psalmist, and kept mostly to the ark; but Solomon, having read much in his Bible concerning the tabernacle which Moses built and the altars there, paid more respect to them than,... read more