2 Chronicles 1: 1 – 17
It wasn’t his idea
1 Now Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and exalted him exceedingly. 2 And Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to every leader in all Israel, the heads of the fathers’ houses. 3 Then Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for the tabernacle of meeting with God was there, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness. 4 But David had brought up the ark of God from Kirjath Jearim to the place David had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem. 5 Now the bronze altar that Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD; Solomon and the assembly sought Him there. 6 And Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of meeting, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it. 7 On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask! What shall I give you?” 8 And Solomon said to God: “You have shown great mercy to David my father and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. 10 Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?” 11 Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king— 12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.” 13 So Solomon came to Jerusalem from the high place that was at Gibeon, from before the tabernacle of meeting, and reigned over Israel. 14 And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen; he had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. 15 Also the king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as abundant as the sycamores which are in the lowland. 16 And Solomon had horses imported from Egypt and Keveh; the king’s merchants bought them in Keveh at the current price. 17 They also acquired and imported from Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for one hundred and fifty; thus, through their agents, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.
Have you ever experienced this situation? You came up with a good idea and it was either totally ignored or not accepted. Then sometime in the future another person suggests the same idea and the whole company praises this individual for his/her great work.
Does this point hit home to you? Then be of good cheer my friend, you are not alone in getting taken advantage of. The path to corporate success is paved with hard work and dedication. But how can you blaze up that path without having to pave that road?
Here are some of the techniques these worldly-wise people use to advance their own agendas. Let me share with you some ‘Amazing Ways’ to take credit for someone else’s work
1. Ask them how they plan on solving say problem “X” right before the meeting, then once the meeting has started say their plan before they can speak.
2. Go for a nice stroll by their desk when they’re away
Exercise is a great way to improve productivity, especially when your exercise is walking in front of a smart person’s desk. Do a quick once-over of their desk or computer screen, and if bystanders are suspicious, just say you’re looking for some staples. Staples are the most inconspicuous office supplies to look for.
3. Repeat a solution someone just said, but add a minuscule detail change
If they don’t give you all the credit, at least you’ll get recognition for “fixing” an unbroken idea. Ideally, the situation would go a little like this:
Manager: And that’s why we need to cut down expenses 12% by the end of the quarter. Any ideas?
Coworker: I think our only option is staff layoffs and replacing them with cheaper solutions. I do not see how we can continue doing business when we are so overstaffed. It’s either lose a few fingers or cut off the whole hand.
Your response: Layoffs? Have a heart, have a soul! There must be another way…maybe task automation? We find ways to automate certain tasks and ask some staff if they want to accept volunteer layoff. Here they can go on paid vacation for a while and if they want they can be on first person call back after the office starts reaping the benefits. The hand stays attached, and a few of the fingers get smaller.
Manager: You’ve done it again! Someone can expect a nice bonus this year.
4. Brainstorm with a group, viciously object to the best idea another person says, then say that same idea to management if your own ideas aren’t connecting
The only thing better than taking someone’s great idea is make the person who thought of it think it’s a horrible one.
5. Ask for “feedback” from your team regarding any new initiatives, take that advice, then get rid of them. After they are sent somewhere else then submit their idea to upper management in a separate proposal.
They say one of the secrets to success is to surround yourself with smart people. The other part of that is taking their valuable input, then getting rid of the evidence.
6. If there’s a big project, volunteer to co-chair with someone, and avoid all the work so they must do it.
Your partner may know you’re an irresponsible person, but the world will only see a successful project with your name under it.
And there you have it. Someone’s thinking of a great idea right now, so get out and get ready to pounce.
Now the question you are probably asking yourselves is ‘why am I highlighting this point of view?’ Take a guess?
Many students of the bible admire Solomon for asking our Holy Master for wisdom to rule over the people of Israel. However, he didn’t come up with this idea on his own. His dad told him to ask for this. Let me point out to you some examples of this happening:
I Chronicles 22, “6 Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the LORD God of Israel. 7 And David said to Solomon: “My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build a house to the name of the LORD my God; 8 but the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight. 9 Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days. 10 He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son, and I will be his Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’ 11 Now, my son, may the LORD be with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of the LORD your God, as He has said to you. 12 Only may the LORD give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the LORD your God. 13 Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the LORD charged Moses concerning Israel.”
The reign of Solomon as depicted is a strange mixture. To a large extent his reign is depicted as a period of peace and prosperity, making him a suitable person to build the Temple as a man of peace and rest (1 Chronicles 22.9), and a model of the coming King who will establish the everlasting kingdom. He is also seen as ‘the chosen of YHWH’ (1 Chronicles 28.5-6), and as such is magnified before the world. The problems of his accession are ignored (1 Kings 1-2), as they had been in 1 Chronicles 23.2; 29.22-25, and his problems due to foreign wives inducing him to idolatry, and with rebels at the end of his reign (1 Kings 11) are set aside. He is depicted as receiving wisdom from God, as the great Temple builder on whom God shows His favor, as building up massive wealth, as ruling a great empire, as admired for his wisdom and as magnified by kings. He appears to be the epitome of kingship.
But underneath there are clear cracks in the picture. As with David there is a darker side. It is true that he built the Temple. But his building of the Temple (which as we saw from 1 Chronicles was initially David’s idea not God’s), is clearly contrasted with the way in which the Tabernacle was built and also with the way in which the second Temple was built where aliens were specifically excluded from participation (Ezra 4.1-3). Consider for example:
• 1). Exodus emphasizes that the Tabernacle was built by the laborers of all Israel (Exodus 39.41-42), an act of love, whilst in the case of Solomon’s Temple was built by the labor of ‘strangers’, and thus idolaters (2.17-18).
• 2). In Exodus the men of Israel were eager to build the Tabernacle and threw themselves willingly into the work. Here the men who built the Temple were not Israelites, were forced to do so, and were subjected to bitter slavery for seven years and indeed a lot more (they were then required for other building work). It must be apparent that they were not eager to build at all. Unlike the Tabernacle (and the second Temple) Solomon’s Temple was not the product of willing hands.
• 3). The skilled makers of the Tabernacle were both portrayed as men of the Spirit into whom YHWH had put understanding, one being Bezalel from the tribe of Judah and the other being Oholiab from the tribe of Dan. It was emphasized that both were pure Israelites and both had wisdom and understanding given to them by YHWH. In stark contrast the plans are actually seen as set in motion and carried out, and no doubt somewhat expanded on, by a man who was half Tyrian and half Danite, who was the servant of a Canaanite king (2.13-14), and was probably an idolater, concerning whom there is no mention of the Spirit. Bezalel’s assistant Oholiab had also been a Danite, so that it is being made clear that Huram-abi was a poor, and alien, copy of the original. He was only half-Danite, half pagan. It is true that from the king of Tyre’s viewpoint he was ‘endued with understanding’, but that was a very different matter from being endued with understanding by YHWH. His source of understanding was pagan, and indeed, he was an alien co-opted to the work by his Tyrian (Canaanite) master. So, while there is an attempt to present a similar picture of him to that given in Exodus, in that he was a skilled workman, endued with understanding, it was as one who was without the Spirit and with pagan understanding. It is a contrast rather than a parallel.
From our viewpoint it might not matter who built the Temple. We have no objection to unbelievers building our churches, chapels and cathedrals. We might therefore ask, ‘Did it matter who built the Temple?’ But that was not how Israelites would have seen it. To them a Temple built by idolaters was tainted with idolatry, both in their eyes and in the eyes of the outside world. We must remember that these words were written to men who had themselves built a Temple and who had refused to allow any alien participation in it lest it be defiled, especially from men who like Huram-abi were half Jew and half alien. It was men like Huram-abi, who were precisely the kind who had sought to stop the building of the second Temple because they were forbidden participation (Ezra 4.1-3).
We should in this regard perhaps contrast Solomon’s attitude towards the building of the Temple by using on what he would have undoubtedly seen as ‘holy ground’, with his own attitude in not allowing his Egyptian wife, who would have been an idolater, to have any connection, however remote, with the holy Ark of the covenant of YHWH (8.11). He was concerned about the holiness of the Ark. It seems that he did not have the same inhibitions about the Temple site, and the Temple and its furniture. He was indeed a man of strange contradictions and clearly willing to compromise in order that his Temple might outshine all others.
As in the case of David’s desire to build a physical Temple, there is in Solomon’s building of the Temple too much of the king’s will and too little of wanting what God wanted, and, in Solomon’s case, not enough concern for its purity. His determination to build ‘the best’ overrode his religious concerns. God originally gave it His approval for David’s sake, and subsequently for Solomon’s sake, although it was only after He had initially refused David’s offer, and had then been persuaded to allow its construction. It was thus presented as originally not of His desire in either the planning or the method of building. And Solomon’s actions confirm this.
Nevertheless, in view of the presence of the Ark on which His Name was called, when the Levite singers offer their praise to YHWH, YHWH accepts the worship of His people and descends in a cloud on the Sanctuary, graciously accepting it as His own because of the presence of the sacred Ark. And this despite the Temple’s deficiencies, deficiencies which even as a consequence of his God-given wisdom Solomon fails to recognize. He was probably quite confident that he had done his best, but only because his spiritual discernment was lacking. On the other hand, what he had not done was obey God’s Law. Thus, we are made aware already of signs of his spiritual deterioration. How quickly, if we do not obey God’s word our spiritual lives deteriorate.
1 Now Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and exalted him exceedingly.
Solomon was made strong in his kingdom, when all the princes and the mighty men and the king’s sons submitted to him. All dissension had been dealt with. The past was behind. All were united behind him. And what is more, YHWH was with him and would magnify him greatly.
2 And Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to every leader in all Israel, the heads of the fathers’ houses.
Solomon called together the whole assembly of leaders in Israel, the military commanders, the judges, the princes, and the clan leaders, and called on them to go with him to the Tabernacle in Gibeon in order that they might worship YHWH in accordance with the Law of Moses. Please notice the great stress on Solomon’s concern that all should be done properly in accordance with the Law. It will be in stark contrast with how he goes about building the Temple. But that was four years later when he had begun to develop dreams of grandeur.
3 Then Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for the tabernacle of meeting with God was there, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.
All the leaders went with him to the high place at Gibeon, where the true Tabernacle which had been made by Moses in the wilderness was to be found. This was still the central place of worship for all Israel, and the Tabernacle was held in high esteem. It was the place established by God in ages past. There was a meeting here of old and new. On the one hand the mighty Solomon, secure in his kingdom, escorted by his commanders, and by the leaders of the people. On the other was the Tabernacle which connected Israel back to its past, and to the great Moses, and to the time in the wilderness. At that time, it had pointed forward to the coming of God’s kingdom. But things had moved on. Now it had begun to appear as though God’s kingdom had come. And yet this was still God’s purpose, that He might dwell among them as the God of Moses and of the wilderness, a constant reminder of their past and of their redemption from Egypt. This was all He required (1 Chronicles 17.5-6). He did not require a magnificent building. The Tabernacle was enough for the worship of all Israel, and it was a reminder of their past and of the fact that they were a redeemed people who belonged to God, something David had forgotten when he numbered Israel.
4 But David had brought up the ark of God from Kirjath Jearim to the place David had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.
One thing the Tabernacle lacked. The Ark of God, which David had brought up from Kiriath-jearim was not there, for that had been situated in the place which David had prepared for it, in the magnificent Tent in Jerusalem, which was no doubt patterned on the Tabernacle. The main purpose for mentioning this was presumably to draw attention to the necessity for a place of worship which would unite all together. Even though the Ark of God was not visible to any but the High Priest on the Day of Atonement, the lack of its presence was felt keenly.
5 Now the bronze altar that Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD; Solomon and the assembly sought Him there.
On the other hand, that other sacred object, the bronze (or copper) altar which had been made in the wilderness by Bezalel the son of Uri was there in the sacred court before the Tabernacle of YHWH. This was the legitimate altar of sacrifice for all Israel.
6 And Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of meeting, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.
So, Solomon went up with all the assembly of the leaders of Israel, to the bronze altar which was ‘before YHWH’, that is, was in the court facing the door of the Sanctuary. And there, through the priests, he and they offered a thousand burnt-offerings. Burnt offerings were offered to make atonement and also as representing an act of total dedication to YHWH. Basically, by this act, Solomon, having been anointed king, was owning YHWH’s Lordship of himself and his people. He was indicating that while he was the human king, YHWH was his Lord.
In return for this act YHWH appeared to him in a dream (1 Kings 3.5, 15) and offered him a gift. This was the gift of a Gracious Lord to his faithful subject. The reception of it would bind Solomon to Him and would be an act of submission. YHWH was willing to give him a gift fit for a king as an acknowledgement of His own Lordship.
7 On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask! What shall I give you?”
There have been many fictional novels and movies relative to a genie appearing out of a lamp and offering you three wishes. Here we witness a true amazing offer. Have you ever considered what you would ask for if the same offer was made to you?
Here is what I would ask for (I know my Lord Is listening). I would like to be your friend like Abraham and Moses were. Also, I would like you to love me like you loved David and Daniel. Finally, I would like the anointing of Elijah and Elisha to do miracles for others.
8 And Solomon said to God: “You have shown great mercy to David my father and have made me king in his place.
By his reply Solomon demonstrated that he was all in in following and obeying God Almighty. His sense of his own majesty had not yet taken possession of him. He acknowledged God’s great covenant love for his father, and clearly hoped for the same for himself as the one whom God had chosen to replace David. He wanted to be worthy of that covenant. He clearly saw his covenant relationship with God as important.
9 Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.
For a people like the dust of the earth in multitude compare Genesis 13.16. Solomon was remembering that he had been made king over the children of Abraham and Jacob, in fulfillment of God’s promises. And he was deeply conscious of the great responsibility that had been put on him as he surveyed the great empire over which he ruled, and the vast number of people for whom he had responsibility. He also remembered YHWH’s promise given to David (1 Chronicles 17) that He would establish his throne and the thrones of his descendants, if they were faithful to Him. And he prayed that that promise might be established. But he realized that if it was to be so he must rule wisely. He must be an acceptable king to YHWH.
10 Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?”
So, he prayed that God would give him ‘wisdom and knowledge’ so that he might judge his people wisely, and might appear to them to be a just and wise ruler as he went ‘in and out among them’ acting as their guide and judge.
11 Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king— 12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.”
God accepted the genuineness of his request as being from his heart and informed him that he had made a good request. He granted him his request, the wisdom and knowledge by which to be able to judge and direct his people (not wisdom for building the Temple. That was a pagan king’s idea). ‘Judging’ meant more than acting as a law judge. It included making right decisions for his people’s welfare. If he remained faithful to YHWH he would be enabled to be a good king.
In acknowledgement of his sincerity, God also promised him that he would receive from God riches, wealth, and honor which would far exceed any that any previous king had enjoyed, and any that any king who followed him would enjoy.
13 So Solomon came to Jerusalem from the high place that was at Gibeon, from before the tabernacle of meeting, and reigned over Israel.
Having dedicated himself and his people to YHWH before the Tent of Meeting, Solomon returned from Gibeon and commenced his reign. He had begun well and had acknowledged that he ruled under YHWH. And we are now given here an example of how he became powerful and rich
14 And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen; he had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem.
One of his first acts was to immediately disobey our Holy Master and Ruler by building up his forces of chariots and horsemen, two of the most powerful weapons of the day. Whereas David had his mighty men, Solomon had his chariots. He had one large unit of chariots and four smaller units, together with twelve large units of horsemen. These he divided up, with a largish force of chariots and horsemen at Jerusalem, and the others installed in chariot cities around the country.
15 Also the king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as abundant as the sycamores which are in the lowland.
Solomon also made use of Palestine’s strategic trading position as the land bridge between Africa, Asia and Arabia. All traffic between Egypt and the north had to pass through Palestine, either along the coastal route, or along the King’s Highway in Transjordan. By utilizing the resources himself through merchants, and by charging tolls on all who passed through the country, he amassed great wealth. As a result, silver and gold were as common in Jerusalem as stones. And cedar timber was as common as the prolific, easily grown sycamore tree found in huge quantities in the lowlands, but of little use for timber. This valuable timber could be used both for building and for selling on to others. God had made Solomon rich without any necessity for warfare. It emphasizes that Solomon was made rich as God had promised.
16 And Solomon had horses imported from Egypt and Keveh; the king’s merchants bought them in Keveh at the current price.
These horses were certainly highly valued around the world (Deuteronomy 17.16). And Solomon obtained these from Egypt, and, through his merchants, sold them on to other nations. But it is important to note that in doing so he ignored the restriction of Deuteronomy 17.16 which forbade too much trading connection with Egypt, and especially dealing in horses.
17 They also acquired and imported from Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for one hundred and fifty; thus, through their agents, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.
Having mentioned his chariots and horsemen in verse 14 we are now provided the price at which they were bought from Egypt. A chariot cost six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse one hundred and fifty. These Solomon purchased and sold on to the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Aram on both sides of the Euphrates (1 Chronicles 19.16).
