“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?” — 2 Chronicles 1:10

In my third year of high school, I was invited to church by a friend, and soon after, I was saved. While my parents were loving and supportive, they had not experienced real salvation and were somewhat at a loss regarding their newly converted teenage son. I purchased a Bible and one evening, I laid it on my bed and knelt to pray. I told the Lord that He would need to teach me since my parents were not Christians and I could not go to them for spiritual counsel. God was certainly faithful to do just that. 

Early in my Christian walk, godly people in the church encouraged me to memorize portions of Scripture. At first this seemed like a daunting task, but someone suggested that I learn Matthew 6:33 as a start—“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Over the years, that verse has become foundational for me in making the many decisions that have come my way since those days as a new believer. 

Today’s text makes it clear that at the beginning of his reign, King Solomon sought for God’s help, direction, and wisdom. He began with worship, offering a thousand burnt sacrifices upon the brazen altar. That immense number of offerings may seem extravagant, but they illustrate the sincerity and earnestness of King Solomon’s heart. In response, God appeared to Solomon at night and asked what He should give the new young king. Again, Solomon’s response indicated a heart that was seeking God. He recalled God’s faithfulness and mercy toward his father, King David, and acknowledged it was God who had given him the task of reigning in his father’s stead. Solomon’s request, noted in our focus verse, is indicative of his humble spirit and his desire for God to guide his rule as the new king. 

It has been decades since I first knelt before my open Bible as a teenager, but I believe that seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness is still the best and wisest advice I ever received. As I have grown older, I look back and see how God has added bountifully to my life in many ways, both in good times and difficult situations, as I have done my best to keep my focus on Him. 

Sadly, as Solomon aged, his trust began to waiver, and his focus shifted to his wealth and physical wants and desires. However, that does not have to happen to us. By God’s grace, we can seek His help and wisdom when we are young, and continue to do so as we go through life. We do not have to falter in our walks with God. Challenges and responsibilities will change over the years, but God’s Word and wisdom never change. Seeking God’s Kingdom and His righteousness will provide us with an anchor in the storms of life, as well as in times of health and prosperity.

BACKGROUND

The Book of 2 Chronicles opens with Solomon taking the throne of Judah in 970 B.C. as the divinely appointed successor to his father, David. (Further details regarding Solomon’s rise to the throne can be read in chapters 1 and 2 of 1 Kings.) This first chapter of 2 Chronicles describes Solomon gathering Israel together at Gibeon (verses 1-6), his opportunity to request of God what he desired (verses 7-13), and the wealth he acquired as king (verses 14-17). 

Even though David had taken the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, the Tabernacle was in Gibeon, about six miles northwest of Jerusalem, when Solomon began his reign. This was the center of religious worship for Judah, so the new king went there to invoke God’s blessing upon his rule. 

The brazen altar mentioned in verse 5 had been made by Bezaleel as the Israelites journeyed in the wilderness between Egypt and the Promised Land (see Exodus 36:1-2). Since it was nearly five hundred years old, likely tens of thousands of sacrifices had been offered upon it. The thousand burnt offerings Solomon sacrificed there was the last recorded act of worship to take place at the Tabernacle. 

The offerings Solomon made to God indicated the new king’s dependence upon God and devotion to Him, and that very night, the Lord appeared to Solomon. God’s offer in verse 7, “Ask what I shall give thee,” was an invitation for Solomon to request whatever he desired from God. Before doing so, however, Solomon rehearsed God’s faithfulness to David and himself. When he did make his request, it was exemplary, revealing both his humility and his deep sense of responsibility regarding his task of leading God’s people. Verse 12 indicates that in response, God not only granted Solomon the wisdom he requested, but also promised him “riches, and wealth, and honour” in greater measure than any king before or after him. 

Verses 14-17 give details of the great wealth Solomon acquired; a parallel record of his riches can be found in 1 Kings 10:26-29. It is noteworthy that in his later years, Solomon testified to the vanity of riches in the Book of Ecclesiastes, where he eloquently showed that there was no ultimate satisfaction to be found in material gain.

AMPLIFIED OUTLINE

I. The reign of Solomon
    A. The wealth and wisdom of Solomon (1:1-17)
         1. Solomon’s vision at Gibeon (1:1-13)
         2. Solomon’s wealth (1:14-17)

A CLOSER LOOK

1. According to verse 6, how many burnt offerings did King Solomon offer at the brazen altar?
2. Why do you think God appeared to Solomon in the night after Solomon offered his sacrifices?
3. How will seeking God’s wisdom and direction benefit our lives today?

CONCLUSION

God blessed Solomon by strengthening his kingdom and exalting him before the people. Seeking wisdom and understanding from God was the key to this blessing. Let us purpose to seek God’s wisdom, that we may also obtain the blessing of God.