2 Chronicles 1:7

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

That night God appeared to Shlomo and said to him, "Tell me what I should give you."

Berean Standard Bible:

That night God appeared to Solomon and said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

In that night^{H3915} did God^{H430} appear^{H7200} unto Solomon^{H8010}, and said^{H559} unto him, Ask^{H7592} what I shall give^{H5414} thee.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for 2 Chronicles 1:7

2 Chronicles 1:7 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of King Solomon's reign in the Old Testament. It occurs shortly after Solomon has succeeded his father, King David, to the throne of Israel. The historical context is the early part of Solomon's kingship, a period marked by peace and prosperity, which allowed Solomon to focus on building projects, including the famed Temple in Jerusalem.

In this verse, God appears to Solomon in a dream at night, presenting him with an extraordinary offer: Solomon can ask for anything he desires, and God will grant it. This divine encounter highlights several key themes:

1. **Divine Initiative**: God takes the initiative to speak with Solomon, underscoring the sovereignty and grace of God in reaching out to humanity, particularly to leaders who are responsible for guiding His people.

2. **Wisdom and Discernment**: The offer from God comes in response to Solomon's earlier sacrifices and his demonstration of devotion at the high place in Gibeon, where he offered a thousand burnt offerings. This sets the stage for Solomon's well-known request for wisdom to lead God's people justly, which is detailed in the following verses.

3. **The Testing of Solomon**: This moment serves as a test of Solomon's character and priorities. The verse does not stand alone but leads into Solomon's humble and wise response in 2 Chronicles 1:8-10, where he asks for an understanding heart to judge God's people and to discern between good and evil.

4. **God's Blessing**: The verse also illustrates God's willingness to bless His servants abundantly. Because Solomon did not ask for personal wealth, long life, or the lives of his enemies, but instead sought wisdom to rule well, God promised to grant him not only the wisdom he asked for but also the additional blessings of riches and honor.

5. **Fulfillment of Promise**: This encounter is a fulfillment of the promises God made to David, Solomon's father, that his descendants would continue to rule over Israel. Solomon's wise request and God's response affirm the covenantal relationship between God and the house of David.

In summary, 2 Chronicles 1:7 captures a momentous interaction between God and Solomon, emphasizing themes of divine favor, the importance of wisdom over material wealth, and the fulfillment of God's promises to the line of David. Solomon's request and God's reaction to it set the tone for his reign, which would become renowned for its wisdom, peace, and prosperity.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3915
   There are 223 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לַיִל
   Transliteration: layil
   Pronunciation: lah'-yil
   Description: or (Isaiah 21:11) לֵיל; also לַיְלָה; from the same as לוּל; properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity; (mid-)night (season).
   
2. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7200
   There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָאָה
   Transliteration: râʼâh
   Pronunciation: raw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
   
4. Strong's Number: H8010
   There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁלֹמֹה
   Transliteration: Shᵉlômôh
   Pronunciation: shel-o-mo'
   Description: from שָׁלוֹם; peaceful; Shelomah, David's successor; Solomon.
   
5. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7592
   There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁאַל
   Transliteration: shâʼal
   Pronunciation: shaw-al'
   Description: or שָׁאֵל; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand; ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, [idiom] earnestly, enquire, [phrase] greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, [phrase] salute, [idiom] straitly, [idiom] surely, wish.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.