Matthew Poole's Commentary And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly. King Solomon's solemn offering at Gibeon, 2Ch 1:1-6. His choice of wisdom is blessed by God, 2Ch 1:7-12. His strength and wealth, 1Ch 1:13-17. Was strengthened, or established, after his seditious brother Adonijah and his partisans were suppressed; and he was received with the universal consent and joy of his princes and people. 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. Then Solomon spake, to wit, concerning his intention of going to Gibeon, and that they should attend him thither, as the next verse shows. 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. To the high place; upon which the tabernacle was placed; whence it is called the great high place, 1 Kings 3:4. 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. He separated the ark from the tabernacle, and brought it to Jerusalem, because there he intended to build a far more noble and lasting habitation for it. 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. He put; either Moses, mentioned 2 Chronicles 1:3, or Bezaleel, here last named, by the command and direction of Moses; or David, who may be said to put it there, because he continued it there, and did not remove it, as he did the ark from the tabernacle. Sought unto it, i.e. sought the Lord and his favour by hearty prayers and sacrifices in the place which God had appointed for that work, Leviticus 17:3,4. 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. i.e. Which altar. But that he had now said, 2 Chronicles 1:5, and therefore would not unnecessarily repeat it. Or rather, who; and so these words are emphatical, and contain a reason why Solomon went thither, because the Lord was there graciously present to hear prayers and receive sacrifices. In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. In that night, after those sacrifices were offered. Did God appear, in a dream, of which See Poole "1 Kings 3:5", &c. And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. No text from Poole on this verse. 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. No text from Poole on this verse. 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? What one man is sufficient to govern so numerous a people? 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: The life of thine enemies, i.e. the taking away of their lives. 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. No text from Poole on this verse. 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. To the high place, or, from the high place; for the Hebrew prefix lamed, which commonly signifies to, is sometimes put for the Latin de, which signifies from. 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. Of this and the three following verses, See Poole "1 Kings 10:26", &c. 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. No text from Poole on this verse. And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price. No text from Poole on this verse. 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. No text from Poole on this verse. |
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