2 Chronicles 1:4 Kommentar

In the close of the foregoing book we read how God magnified Solomon and Israel obeyed him; God and Israel concurred to honour him. Now here we have an account, I. How he honoured God by sacrifice (Ch2 1:1-6) and by prayer (Ch2 1:7-12). II. How he honoured Israel by increasing their strength, wealth, and trade (Ch2 1:13-17).

This chapter relates, how that Solomon being confirmed in his kingdom, went to Gibeon to sacrifice Ch2 1:1, that the Lord appeared there to him, and what passed between them, Ch2 1:7 and that when he returned from thence to Jerusalem, he increased in splendour, wealth, and riches, Ch2 1:13.

But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjathjearim,.... See Sa2 6:2. . 2 Chronicles 1:5 ch2 1:5 ch2 1:5 ch2 1:5Moreover, 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, Exo 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 rather sought "unto him", the Lord, before whose tabernacle the altar was, so Gussetins (a). (a) Comment. Ebr. p. 197.

Solomon, and the chiefs of the congregation, go to Gibeon, where was the tabernacle of the Lord, and the brazen altar; and there he offers a thousand sacrifices, Ch2 1:1-6. The Lord appears to him in a dream, and gives him permission to ask any gift, Ch2 1:7. He asks wisdom, Ch2 1:8-10, which is granted; and riches, wealth, and honor besides, Ch2 1:11, Ch2 1:12. His kingdom is established, Ch2 1:13. His chariots, horsemen, and horses, Ch2 1:14. His abundant riches, Ch2 1:15. He brings horses, linen yarn, and chariots, at a fixed price, out of Egypt, Ch2 1:16, Ch2 1:17.

But the ark - The tabernacle and the brazen altar remained still at Gibeon; but David had brought away the ark out of the tabernacle, and placed it in a tent at Jerusalem; Sa2 6:2, Sa2 6:17.

SOLEMN OFFERING OF SOLOMON AT GIBEON. (Ch2 1:1-6) Then Solomon spake unto all Israel--The heads, or leading officers, who are afterwards specified, were summoned to attend their sovereign in a solemn religious procession. The date of this occurrence was the second year of Solomon's reign, and the high place at Gibeon was chosen for the performance of the sacred rites, because the tabernacle and all the ancient furniture connected with the national worship were deposited there. Zadok was the officiating high priest (Ch1 16:39). It is true that the ark had been removed and placed in a new tent which David had made for it at Jerusalem [Ch2 1:4]. But the brazen altar, "before the tabernacle of the Lord," on which the burnt offerings were appointed by the law to be made, was at Gibeon. And although David had been led by extraordinary events and tokens of the divine presence to sacrifice on the threshing-floor of Araunah, Solomon considered it his duty to present his offerings on the legally appointed spot "before the tabernacle," and on the time-honored altar prepared by the skill of Bezaleel in the wilderness (Exo 38:1).