And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the
LORD his God [was] with him, and magnified him exceedingly.
Ver. 1. _And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his
kingdom._] Defying the opposition of Adonijah and his accomplices. See
1 Kings 1:4,10 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Then 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.
Ver. 2. _Then Solomon spake unto all Israel._] As David had done
before him. 1 Chronicles 28:1 _; _ 1Ch 29:1... [ Continue Reading ]
So 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.
Ver. 3. _Went to the high place._] This word is usually taken in an
ill sense: but her... [ Continue Reading ]
But 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.
Ver. 4. _But the ark._] See on 2 Samuel 6:2, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
Moreover 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.
Ver. 5. _He put,_] _i.e., _ Moses put.
_ And Solomon and all the congregation sought unto it._] Or, Unto him,
_i.e., _ the L... [ Continue Reading ]
And 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.
Ver. 6. _The tabernacle of the congregation._] Which was so called,
because there the people met to serve God.... [ Continue Reading ]
In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what
I shall give thee.
Ver. 7. _In that night._] See on 1 Kings 3:5 .
_ Did God appear._] That this was a divine dream, Solomon was
sufficiently sensible, by the great wisdom wherewith he found himself
indued when he awoke.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my
father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.
Ver. 8. _Thou hast showed, &c._] God must be praised for the kindness
he hath showed to our ancestors also. See on 1 Kings 3:6 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Now, 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.
Ver. 9. _Let thy promise,_] viz., To the utmost extent of it.... [ Continue Reading ]
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?
Ver. 10. _Give me now wisdom and knowledge._] Knowledge to discern,
and wisdom to do that which is right.
_ That I may go out, &c._] See on 1 Kings 3:7 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And 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:
Ver. 11.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wisdom 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.
Ver. 12. _Wisdom and knowledge is granted._] See here how highly
therefore we are to e... [ Continue Reading ]
Then 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.
Ver. 13. _And reigned over Israel._] _Sic regnabat,_ he so reigned,
_sc., _ with that wisdom and knowledge which God had promised him.... [ Continue Reading ]
And 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.
Ver. 14. _And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen._] This is here
added to show how God made good to S... [ Continue Reading ]
And 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.
Ver. 15. _And the king made._] Heb., Gave. By giving he made it so.
This was a golden age indeed.... [ Continue Reading ]
And 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.
Ver. 17. _And Solomon had horses, &c._] See 1 Kin... [ Continue Reading ]