2 Chronicles 1
Modern English Version
Solomon Seeks Wisdom(A)
1 Now Solomon the son of David strengthened himself over his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and made Solomon exceedingly great.
2 And Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to all the leaders in all Israel, the heads of fathers’ houses. 3 Then they all went, Solomon and all the assembly that was with him, to the high place that was at Gibeon, because the tent of meeting with God, which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness, was there. 4 However, David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to the place he had prepared, for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. 5 And the bronze altar that Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made was set before the tabernacle of the Lord. And Solomon and the assembly sought it out to seek the Lord. 6 And Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord, which was before the tent of meeting, and he offered up a thousand burnt offerings on it.
7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask what I might give to you.”
8 Then Solomon said to God, “You have given a great mercy to David my father and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, Lord God, may Your word to David my father be confirmed, for You have made me king over a people numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Now give wisdom and knowledge to me so that I might know how to go before this people, for who can judge this great people of Yours?”
11 Then God responded to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart and you did not ask for possessions, wealth, and honor, or even the life of those who hate you, nor have you asked for many days of life, but you have asked Me for wisdom and knowledge that you might govern My people over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge are now given to you. Possessions, wealth, and honor I will also give to you; such has not been given to kings before you nor those who will follow after you.”
13 So Solomon came from the high place at Gibeon, before the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem, and he reigned over Israel.
14 Solomon gathered together chariots and horses. He had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, and he put them in designated cities and with the king in Jerusalem. 15 The king made silver and gold in Jerusalem as abundant as stones and cedar as plentiful as sycamore trees in the lowlands of the Shephelah. 16 The horses of Solomon were imported from Egypt and Kue, and the traders of the king would take them from Kue for a price. 17 They imported chariots from Egypt for six hundred shekels[a] of silver and a horse for one hundred and fifty pieces.[b] And they imported from these places to all the kings of the Hittites and Arameans.
Footnotes
- 2 Chronicles 1:17 About 15 pounds, or 6.9 kilograms.
- 2 Chronicles 1:17 About 3¾ pounds, or 1.7 kilograms.
2 Chronicles 1
Complete Jewish Bible
1 Shlomo the son of David grew stronger in his rulership; Adonai his God was with him, making him greater and greater.
2 Shlomo spoke to all Isra’el — to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges and to every leader in all Isra’el, the heads of clans. 3 Shlomo and the whole community with him went to the high place at Giv‘on, because in that place was God’s tent of meeting, which Moshe the servant of Adonai had made in the desert. 4 But the ark of God David had brought up from Kiryat-Ye‘arim to the place he had prepared for it — he had set up a tent for it in Yerushalayim. 5 The bronze altar crafted by B’tzal’el the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had been placed before the tabernacle of Adonai; and there Shlomo and the community consulted him. 6 On the bronze altar at the tent of meeting Shlomo offered a thousand burnt offerings before Adonai.
7 That night God appeared to Shlomo and said to him, “Tell me what I should give you.” 8 Shlomo said to God, “You showed much grace to your servant David my father and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, Adonai, God, you have been faithful to your promise to David my father; for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the grains of dust on the earth. 10 So now, give me wisdom and knowledge; so that I will be able to lead this people. For who is equal to judging this great people of yours?”
11 God said to Shlomo, “Because you set your heart on this — because, instead of asking for riches, wealth, honor, the death of those who hate you, or long life, you asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, so that you would be able to judge my people, over whom I made you king — 12 not only are wisdom and knowledge being given to you, but I will also give you riches, wealth and honor such as no king before you has ever had; and no king after you will have as much.” 13 So Shlomo came away from the high place at Giv‘on, from in front of the tent of meeting, to Yerushalayim; and he ruled over Isra’el.
14 Shlomo amassed chariots and horsemen; he had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen; he placed them in the chariot cities and with the king in Yerushalayim. 15 The king made silver and gold in Yerushalayim as common as stones, and he made cedars as abundant as sycamore-fig trees in the Sh’felah. 16 Shlomo’s horses had been brought from Egypt and from Keve, with the king’s agents having bought them from the dealers in Keve at the going price. 17 A chariot brought from Egypt cost fifteen pounds of silver shekels and a horse three-and-three quarters pounds [of shekels]; all the kings of the Hittim and the kings of Aram purchased them at these prices through Shlomo’s agents.
18 (2:1) Shlomo then decided to build a house for the name of Adonai and a royal palace for himself.
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.
Copyright © 1998 by David H. Stern. All rights reserved.