2 Chronicles 1 - 5:1
In summary:
Solomon requests Yahweh’s wisdom to govern His people and immediately puts it into practice by organizing the construction of the temple.
Solomon requests Yahweh’s wisdom to govern His people and immediately puts it into practice by organizing the construction of the temple.
In more detail:
Since one of the main themes of 1 and 2 Chronicles is Yahweh’s glory in His just dominion, today we will look at Solomon’s request for wisdom: “Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” (2 Chronicles 1:10).
Notice that wisdom is much more than the accumulation of experiences. It is the knowledge of Yahweh’s righteous dominion to such a degree that one can apply its principles to daily life. Specifically, it is used to govern the people, places, resources and time that are under one’s authority. Wisdom’s importance shines forth from the fact that it directs us to exercise authority in agreement with Yahweh’s righteous dominion over all creation; when we demonstrate wisdom, we act in accordance with Yahweh’s righteousness. Therefore we must know Yahweh, fear Him and submit to Him before we can receive wisdom.
We learn wisdom when we pay attention to Yahweh’s revelation of His righteous dominion and recognize its personal application with a submissive heart. Since it is revealed instruction rather than personal discovery, there is much emphasis in the Bible
on paying attention to Yahweh’s revelation and complete submission to His precepts. When we apply them over the course of our lives, we expect to find blessing and prosperity because we are acting in accordance with Yahweh’s righteousness and His desire to bless His people.
In today’s reading, Solomon recognizes his need for wisdom to govern Israel, and Yahweh gives it to him in abundance: “God answered Solomon, ‘Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like’” (2 Chronicles 1:11-12). And it is impressive to see in these first chapters of 2 Chronicles, Solomon applies his wisdom, riches, possessions and honor to the building of the temple. Hiram of Tyre recognizes the connection: “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, who has discretion and understanding, who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal palace for himself” (2 Chronicles 2:12). Therefore we see that one of wisdom’s main purposes, besides governing well, is to direct others in their worship of the great and glorious God Yahweh. And even though millennia have passed since the construction of Solomon’s Temple, the principles are the same – Yahweh gives wisdom to govern well, whether in our families, churches, workplaces or communities, all in order to direct those under our authority and even the nations to worship the only wise and glorious God.
Since one of the main themes of 1 and 2 Chronicles is Yahweh’s glory in His just dominion, today we will look at Solomon’s request for wisdom: “Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” (2 Chronicles 1:10).
Notice that wisdom is much more than the accumulation of experiences. It is the knowledge of Yahweh’s righteous dominion to such a degree that one can apply its principles to daily life. Specifically, it is used to govern the people, places, resources and time that are under one’s authority. Wisdom’s importance shines forth from the fact that it directs us to exercise authority in agreement with Yahweh’s righteous dominion over all creation; when we demonstrate wisdom, we act in accordance with Yahweh’s righteousness. Therefore we must know Yahweh, fear Him and submit to Him before we can receive wisdom.
We learn wisdom when we pay attention to Yahweh’s revelation of His righteous dominion and recognize its personal application with a submissive heart. Since it is revealed instruction rather than personal discovery, there is much emphasis in the Bible
on paying attention to Yahweh’s revelation and complete submission to His precepts. When we apply them over the course of our lives, we expect to find blessing and prosperity because we are acting in accordance with Yahweh’s righteousness and His desire to bless His people.
In today’s reading, Solomon recognizes his need for wisdom to govern Israel, and Yahweh gives it to him in abundance: “God answered Solomon, ‘Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like’” (2 Chronicles 1:11-12). And it is impressive to see in these first chapters of 2 Chronicles, Solomon applies his wisdom, riches, possessions and honor to the building of the temple. Hiram of Tyre recognizes the connection: “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, who has discretion and understanding, who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal palace for himself” (2 Chronicles 2:12). Therefore we see that one of wisdom’s main purposes, besides governing well, is to direct others in their worship of the great and glorious God Yahweh. And even though millennia have passed since the construction of Solomon’s Temple, the principles are the same – Yahweh gives wisdom to govern well, whether in our families, churches, workplaces or communities, all in order to direct those under our authority and even the nations to worship the only wise and glorious God.
