2 Chronicles 1

1Solomon, David's son, grew strong in his kingdom, and Yahweh his God stood by him, exalting him greatly.

2Solomon addressed all Israel—the commanders of thousands and hundreds, the judges, every ruler throughout Israel, and the heads of the ancestral houses.

3Solomon and the whole assembly with him went to the high place at Gibeon, because God's tent of meeting was there—the one Moses, Yahweh's servant, had made in the wilderness.

4David had brought God's ark up from Kiriath-jearim to the place he had prepared for it, since he had set up a tent for it in Jerusalem.

5The bronze altar fashioned by Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur stood before Yahweh's tabernacle, and Solomon and the assembly sought guidance there.

6Solomon ascended to the bronze altar before Yahweh in the Tent of Meeting and presented a thousand burnt offerings upon it.

7That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask what I will give you."

8Solomon said to God, "You have shown great steadfast love to David my father, and have established me as king in his place."

9Now, Yahweh God, confirm the promise you made to my father David, for you have set me as king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.

10Grant me wisdom and knowledge now, so I can lead this people in all my duties; who could possibly govern your people, so vast in number?

11God said to Solomon, "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of those who hate you, neither yet have asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king."

12Wisdom and knowledge shall be yours. I will give you riches, possessions, and glory as well, greater than any king before you has known, and none after you will equal it.

13Then Solomon came to Jerusalem from Gibeon’s high place, away from the tent of meeting, and he reigned over Israel.

14Solomon amassed chariots and horsemen; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he stationed in chariot cities and with him in Jerusalem.

15The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars as numerous as sycamores in the lowlands, due to their abundance.

16Solomon's horses came from Egypt and from Kue, bought by the king's merchants from Kue at a price.

17They brought chariots from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver apiece and horses for one hundred fifty, supplying horses to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria through the same channels.