2 Chronicles

And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.

1Solomon was David's son. He became strong as king. The LORD his God was with him and made him great.

Note"Magnified him exceedingly" means God made Solomon very great and important, not that God made him larger.

2Then 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.

2Then Solomon spoke to all Israel. He spoke to the army leaders, the judges, and every leader. He spoke to the heads of the families.

3So 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.

3Solomon and the whole crowd went to the worship place at Gibeon. God's special tent was there. Moses, who served the LORD, had made that tent long ago in the desert.

4But 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.

4David had brought the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim. The ark was a holy box. David had set up a tent for it in Jerusalem.

5Moreover the brasen 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.

5The bronze altar was at Gibeon, in front of the LORD's tent. Bezaleel, the son of Uri, had made it. Uri was the son of Hur. Solomon and the crowd went there to ask God for help.

NoteThe KJV says "brasen," which is the old spelling of "brazen." It means made of bronze, a hard metal.

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

6Solomon went up to the bronze altar in front of the LORD. It stood at the special tent. There he burned a thousand animals as gifts to God.

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

7That night God came to Solomon. God said, "Ask me for anything. I will give it to you."

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

8Solomon said to God, "You were very kind to my father David. Now you have made me king in his place."

9Now, 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.

9"LORD God, please keep the promise you made to my father David. You made me king over a huge crowd of people. There are as many as specks of dust on the ground."

10Give 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?

10"Please give me wisdom and knowledge, so I can lead these people. Who could rule such a great people without your help?"

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

11God said to Solomon, "This is what was in your heart. You did not ask for money or riches or fame. You did not ask me to kill your enemies. You did not even ask for a long life. You asked for wisdom and knowledge, so you could lead my people. I am the one who made you their king."

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

12"So I give you wisdom and knowledge. I will also give you riches and money and honor. No king before you ever had so much. No king after you will have so much either."

NoteIn the KJV, "wealth" often meant health and good living, not only money. Here God promises Solomon both riches and a good life.

13Then 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.

13Then Solomon left the worship place at Gibeon, where the special tent was. He went back to Jerusalem. And he ruled over Israel.

14And 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.

14Solomon collected chariots and horses. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses. He kept some in the chariot cities and some with him in Jerusalem.

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

15The king made silver and gold in Jerusalem as common as stones. He made cedar wood as common as the sycamore trees in the low hills.

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

16Solomon's horses were brought in from Egypt and from a place called Kue. The king's traders bought them there.

17And 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.

17They brought a chariot from Egypt for 600 pieces of silver. A horse cost 150. The traders also sold them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.

NoteA shekel was a weight of silver used as money. Six hundred shekels was a very large amount.