Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Chronicles 1

1 ANd Solomon the son of David was strengthned in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.

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.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 2. 45.; [illegible: 1 word] 23. 17.

2 Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governour in all Israel, the chief of the fathers.

To wit, concerning his Intention of going to Gibeon, and that they should attend him thither, as the next Verse shews.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1+ letters] [illegible: 1 word] of [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1 word]

3 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.

Upon which the Tabernacle was placed; whence it is called the great high Place, 1 King 3. 4.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 34. [illegible: 1 word]. 16. 39. 129.

4 But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjath-jearim, 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.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 6. 17. [illegible: 1 word] 16. 1.

5 Moreover, the brazen 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 .

Either Moses mentioned v. 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.

i. e. Sought the Lord and his Favour by hearty Prayers and Sacrifices in the Place which God had appointed for that Work, Levit. 17. 3, 4.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 38. 1.; [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word].

6 And Solomon went up thither to the brazen 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 v. 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.

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

After those Sacrifices were offered.

In a Dream, of which see the Notes on 1 King. 3. 5, &c.

10 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.

Marginal references: 1 Kin. 3. 9.; Numb. 27. 17.

11 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 thy self, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:

i. e. The taking away of their Lives.

13 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.

Or, from the High-place: for the Hebrew prefix Lamed, which commonly signifies to, is sometimes put for the Latin de, which signifies from.

14 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 the Notes on 1 King. 10. 26, &c.

Marginal references: 1 King. 4. 26. & 10. 26, &c.