1 Chronicles 1
2 Chronicles 1 is about Solomon coming before God after taking the throne, worshiping Him, and seeking wisdom and knowledge so that he can govern the people rightly. God is pleased with Solomon’s heart and adds not only wisdom, but also wealth, riches, and honor. In the overall flow of 2 Chronicles, this chapter has the character of an introductory passage that shows Solomon’s rule began not from human ambition, but from worship and requests directed to God.
1verseAdam, Seth, Enosh,
2verseKenan, Mahalalel, Jared,
3verseEnoch, Methuselah, Lamech,
4verseNoah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
5verseThe sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
6verseThe sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Diphath, and Togarmah.
7verseThe sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.
8verseThe sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.
9verseThe sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.
10verseCush became the father of Nimrod. He began to be a mighty one in the earth.
11verseMizraim became the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim,
12versePathrusim, Casluhim (where the Philistines came from), and Caphtorim.
13verseCanaan became the father of Sidon his firstborn, Heth,
14versethe Jebusite, the Amorite, the Girgashite,
15versethe Hivite, the Arkite, the Sinite,
16versethe Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.
17verseThe sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.
18verseArpachshad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber.
19verseTo Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.
20verseJoktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,
21verseHadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
22verseEbal, Abimael, Sheba,
23verseOphir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan.
24verseShem, Arpachshad, Shelah,
25verseEber, Peleg, Reu,
26verseSerug, Nahor, Terah,
27verseAbram (also called Abraham).
28verseThe sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael.
29verseThese are their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
30verseMishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema,
31verseJetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael.
32verseThe sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she bore Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan.
33verseThe sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.
34verseAbraham became the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.
35verseThe sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.
36verseThe sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna, and Amalek.
37verseThe sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.
38verseThe sons of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan.
39verseThe sons of Lotan: Hori and Homam; and Timna was Lotan’s sister.
40verseThe sons of Shobal: Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah.
41verseThe son of Anah: Dishon. The sons of Dishon: Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.
42verseThe sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Jaakan. The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
43verseNow these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor; and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
44verseBela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place.
45verseJobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.
46verseHusham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Avith.
47verseHadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.
48verseSamlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his place.
49verseShaul died, and Baal Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.
50verseBaal Hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
51verseThen Hadad died. The chiefs of Edom were: chief Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth,
52versechief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,
53versechief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,
54versechief Magdiel, and chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom.
Verses 1–6 – Solomon Goes to God at Gibeon
Solomon’s kingdom was firmly established, and the LORD his God was with him and made him greatly strong. Solomon went up to the high place at Gibeon with the leaders of all Israel, and he offers a thousand burnt offerings on the bronze altar in front of the tabernacle of the LORD. This shows that Solomon’s reign began with first worshiping God.
Verses 7–12 – Solomon Seeks Wisdom and Knowledge
God appeared to Solomon at night and tells him to ask for what he wants. Then Solomon does not ask for riches or wealth, nor for honor or the life of his enemies, but for wisdom and knowledge so that he can judge and govern many people with justice. God is pleased with Solomon’s heart and promises to give him not only wisdom and knowledge, but also wealth, riches, and honor.
Verse 13 – Returning to Jerusalem and Ruling Israel
From the high place at Gibeon before the tabernacle, Solomon returned to Jerusalem and ruled over Israel. This can be seen as a turning point where, after worshiping God and receiving His response, Solomon fully carries out his mission as king. Solomon’s rule was established upon God’s response.
Verses 14–17 – Solomon’s Wealth and Splendor
After that, Solomon collected many chariots and horsemen, and silver and gold became as common in Jerusalem as stones, with cedar trees in great abundance as well. In addition, trade in horses and chariots was carried out actively, revealing the nation’s prosperity and national strength. This shows that the blessings God had promised actually appeared in Solomon’s life and in Israel’s history, too.
Meditation Points
- As I take on more important responsibilities and roles, do I go to God first?
- What I ask for God— is it benefit that is visible, or wisdom to carry out my mission?
- What meaning does the fact that God sees the heart have for my life today?
Try Applying It to Yourself
God is pleased with those who seek God’s help in order to carry out the mission entrusted to them well, rather than pursuing their own desires. In 2 Chronicles 1, we see that when Solomon faced great responsibility as king, he first asked for wisdom to govern the people rightly, rather than for success or prosperity itself. Today as well, we should reflect on whether we are first seeking discernment and wisdom that will allow us to live according to God’s will, rather than only seeking visible results in the various choices and problems of life.
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