2 Chronicles 1:11

KJV

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 thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:

KJV (with Strong's)

And God {H430} said {H559} to Solomon {H8010}, Because this was in thine heart {H3824}, and thou hast not asked {H7592} riches {H6239}, wealth {H5233}, or honour {H3519}, nor the life {H5315} of thine enemies {H8130}, neither yet hast asked {H7592} long {H7227} life {H3117}; but hast asked {H7592} wisdom {H2451} and knowledge {H4093} for thyself, that thou mayest judge {H8199} my people {H5971}, over whom I have made thee king {H4427}:

Complete Jewish Bible

God said to Shlomo, "Because you set your heart on this - because, instead of asking for riches, wealth, honor, the death of those who hate you, or long life, you asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, so that you would be able to judge my people, over whom I made you king -

Berean Standard Bible

God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart instead of requesting riches or wealth or glory for yourself or death for your enemies—and since you have not even requested long life but have asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern My people over whom I have made you king—

American Standard Version

And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thy heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of them that hate thee, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 1:11 captures God's profound affirmation of King Solomon's selfless and discerning request for wisdom at Gibeon. This pivotal moment highlights God's immense pleasure in a leader who prioritizes the welfare and righteous governance of His people over personal gain, material riches, worldly honor, or even a prolonged life. It underscores that true leadership, especially divinely appointed authority, requires a heart aligned with God's purposes, seeking His enablement to serve justly.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after Solomon's grand sacrificial offering of a thousand burnt offerings at Gibeon, where the Tabernacle of the Lord and the bronze altar were located. Following his father David's death and his own secure establishment on the throne, Solomon's act of worship at Gibeon demonstrates his initial devotion and recognition of God's sovereignty over his reign. The divine encounter in a dream, where God invites Solomon to ask for anything, sets the stage for this profound response. This account is a parallel narrative to the one found in [1 Kings 3:4-15](/1_kings/3-4 "1 Kings 3:4-15 - Solomon's Request for Wisdom"), with the Chronicler emphasizing the theological significance of Solomon's choice and God's immediate, generous reply, which extends beyond the requested wisdom to include riches and honor. The Chronicler's focus is on the divine blessing and the proper exercise of kingship, laying the groundwork for Solomon's magnificent reign and the building of the Temple.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Solomon ascended to the throne in a period of relative peace and prosperity for Israel, inheriting a unified kingdom from his father, David. The act of offering a thousand burnt offerings was a massive undertaking, signifying deep devotion and a plea for divine blessing and guidance at the outset of his rule. Gibeon was a significant high place where the Tabernacle, constructed during the wilderness wanderings, was still located, making it a legitimate site for such a grand sacrifice before the permanent Temple was built in Jerusalem. In the ancient Near East, a king's wisdom was paramount; it was seen as a divine endowment, essential for maintaining order, administering justice, and ensuring the prosperity of the realm. Kings often sought omens or divine counsel, but Solomon's direct, humble request for wisdom for the specific purpose of judging God's people set him apart from typical monarchical aspirations focused on personal power or conquest.
* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully articulates several core themes. **Selfless Ambition** is vividly portrayed as Solomon explicitly foregoes personal desires for wealth, honor, or long life, focusing instead on his duty to God's people. This contrasts sharply with typical human desires and highlights a heart posture that pleases God. **Divine Approval** is evident in God's immediate and enthusiastic response, demonstrating that God honors those who seek His purposes above their own. This sets a precedent for how God interacts with leaders who prioritize His kingdom. The central theme of **Wisdom for Governance** is paramount; Solomon's request for "wisdom and knowledge" is specifically "that thou mayest judge my people," underscoring that true leadership requires divine discernment and insight to administer justice and lead righteously. This wisdom is not for personal aggrandizement but for the benefit of the nation. Finally, **God's Sovereignty** is emphasized by God's declaration, "over whom I have made thee king," reminding Solomon, and the reader, that his authority is divinely ordained, and therefore, he requires divine enablement to fulfill his responsibilities. This divine appointment is a recurring theme throughout the books of [Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "1 Samuel - The Rise of the Kingdom") and [Kings](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings - The Reign of Solomon and Division of the Kingdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heart (Hebrew, _lev_):** In biblical Hebrew, "heart" (לֵב, _lev_) refers not merely to the emotional center but to the totality of the inner person—the seat of intellect, will, conscience, and moral character. When God states, "Because this was in thine heart," it signifies that Solomon's request for wisdom was not a superficial or calculated plea, but originated from his deepest convictions, desires, and the very core of his being. It reflects a genuine, internal disposition of selfless devotion and a profound understanding of his kingly responsibility.
* **Wisdom (Hebrew, _chokmah_):** The Hebrew term for "wisdom" (חָכְמָה, _chokmah_) denotes practical skill, discernment, and the ability to make sound judgments in concrete situations. It is not merely theoretical knowledge but the capacity to apply knowledge effectively to life's challenges, especially in governance and justice. Solomon's request for _chokmah_ was a desire for the practical insight needed to rule God's people justly and effectively, reflecting a deep understanding of the complexities of leadership.
* **Knowledge (Hebrew, _da'at_):** The Hebrew word for "knowledge" (דַּעַת, _da'at_) often implies understanding, insight, and moral discernment gained through experience or divine revelation. While _chokmah_ is practical skill, _da'at_ refers to the intellectual grasp and comprehension necessary to inform that skill. When paired with wisdom, it forms a comprehensive intellectual and moral capacity, enabling Solomon to understand the nuances of legal cases, the needs of his people, and the principles of righteous governance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart":** This opening clause establishes God's direct, personal communication with Solomon, indicating divine approval. The phrase "in thine heart" is crucial, revealing that God saw beyond Solomon's words to the genuine, selfless motive and disposition of his inner being. It emphasizes that God responds not just to what is asked, but to the spirit in which it is asked.
* **"and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life;":** This negative enumeration highlights the striking contrast between what Solomon *could* have asked for—typical worldly desires of power, prosperity, and personal security—and what he chose not to. Each item represents a common human aspiration, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of Solomon's self-denial and his focus away from personal aggrandizement. This deliberate omission underscores the purity of his intentions.
* **"but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:":** This clause presents Solomon's actual request, "wisdom and knowledge," and crucially, its specific purpose: "that thou mayest judge my people." This reveals his understanding that his role as king was a divinely appointed stewardship, not a personal prerogative. The concluding phrase, "over whom I have made thee king," reinforces God's sovereignty in establishing Solomon's reign and underscores that the wisdom sought was for God's purposes and for the benefit of God's chosen nation.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Contrast** is prominently used, setting Solomon's selfless request against the backdrop of typical human desires for "riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life." This stark juxtaposition emphasizes the exceptional nature of Solomon's heart and priorities. **Divine Speech** is central, as God's direct address to Solomon lends immense authority and weight to the affirmation, highlighting the personal nature of God's interaction with His chosen king. Furthermore, there is a clear **Emphasis** on Solomon's "heart" as the source of his request, signifying that God values inner disposition and pure motives. The repetition of "my people" and "I have made thee king" also serves as a form of **Anaphora** and **Assertion of Sovereignty**, reinforcing God's ownership of Israel and His ultimate authority over human rulers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage profoundly illustrates God's responsiveness to a heart genuinely seeking His purposes and the welfare of His people. It teaches that true leadership, especially in a spiritual context, is not about personal gain or power, but about humble service and the pursuit of divine wisdom to fulfill God-given responsibilities. God's immediate and generous blessing upon Solomon demonstrates that when our desires align with His will, He is not only pleased but often grants abundantly beyond what we ask. This account serves as a timeless model for prayer and priority, emphasizing that seeking God's kingdom and righteousness first is the pathway to true flourishing and divine favor, as seen throughout the biblical narrative of righteous rulers and faithful servants.

* [1 Kings 3:12](/1_kings/3-12 "1 Kings 3:12 - God Grants Wisdom and Riches to Solomon")
* [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - The Lord Gives Wisdom")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Asking for Wisdom from God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Solomon's prayer at Gibeon stands as an enduring paradigm for all believers, challenging us to deeply examine the desires of our own hearts and the priorities that shape our petitions to God. In a world that often champions personal ambition, material accumulation, and self-preservation, Solomon's selfless request for wisdom to serve others provides a counter-cultural model. It compels us to ask if our prayers are primarily focused on our own comfort, success, or security, or if they are genuinely oriented towards fulfilling God's purposes in our lives and serving those He has placed in our care. When we prioritize God's kingdom, seeking His wisdom and discernment to effectively steward our roles—whether in family, work, church, or community—we align ourselves with His divine will. This passage reassures us that God delights in and abundantly blesses those who, like Solomon, seek to honor Him through selfless service, often granting more than we could ask or imagine, not for our own glory, but for the flourishing of His people and the advancement of His righteous reign.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the primary desires of my heart when I pray? Do they align with God's priorities for my life and for His kingdom?**
* **In what areas of my life—family, work, ministry—am I called to "judge God's people" or serve others? Am I actively seeking divine wisdom and knowledge for these responsibilities?**
* **How does Solomon's example challenge my understanding of true success and blessing? Am I willing to prioritize selfless service over personal gain?**

### FAQ
**Why did Solomon go to Gibeon to make such a grand offering?**

Answer: Solomon went to Gibeon because it was a significant high place where the Tabernacle of the Lord, constructed during the wilderness wanderings, was still located. It housed the bronze altar, which was suitable for large-scale sacrifices. While the Ark of the Covenant was in Jerusalem, Gibeon remained a legitimate and prominent site for worship and offerings before the construction of the Temple. Solomon's offering of a thousand burnt offerings was an act of profound devotion and a strategic move to seek divine favor and guidance at the very beginning of his reign, signaling his reliance on God for the immense task of ruling Israel.

**What is the significance of God saying, "Because this was in thine heart"?**

Answer: The phrase "in thine heart" (Hebrew: _lev_) is profoundly significant. In biblical thought, the "heart" represents the totality of a person's inner being—their intellect, will, emotions, and moral core. God's statement indicates that Solomon's request for wisdom was not merely a superficial or calculated utterance, but a genuine, deep-seated desire that originated from his true character and motivations. It highlights that God looks beyond outward actions or words to discern the sincerity and purity of one's intentions, responding favorably to a heart that prioritizes His purposes and the welfare of His people over personal ambition.

**Did Solomon's wisdom last throughout his reign, and what can we learn from his later life?**

Answer: While Solomon initially received unparalleled wisdom and used it to govern Israel justly and build the magnificent Temple, his later life serves as a cautionary tale. Despite his extraordinary wisdom, he eventually succumbed to the temptations of power and prosperity. He accumulated an excessive number of horses, silver, and gold, and married many foreign wives, which was explicitly forbidden by God (as seen in [Deuteronomy 17:16-17](/deuteronomy/17-16 "Deuteronomy 17:16-17 - Warnings Against Kingly Excesses")). These foreign wives led him astray into idolatry, causing his heart to turn away from the Lord ([1 Kings 11:4-8](/1_kings/11-4 "1 Kings 11:4-8 - Solomon's Idolatry")). From Solomon's later life, we learn that even divinely granted wisdom does not negate the need for ongoing obedience, humility, and vigilance against sin. It underscores that spiritual success is not a one-time endowment but requires a lifelong commitment to walking in God's ways and guarding one's heart.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Solomon's divinely granted wisdom, sought for the purpose of judging God's people, foreshadows the ultimate and perfect wisdom embodied in Jesus Christ. While Solomon's wisdom was a gift for a specific kingly task, and he eventually faltered in his faithfulness, Christ is the very **Wisdom of God** personified. In Him "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge")). Solomon asked for wisdom to judge a temporal kingdom; Jesus, the **King of kings and Lord of lords**, possesses inherent wisdom to perfectly judge and shepherd His eternal spiritual kingdom. Unlike Solomon, whose heart eventually turned away, Jesus consistently demonstrated a heart perfectly aligned with the Father's will, always seeking to do His Father's business and serve His people selflessly, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). He is the true and greater Solomon, not only endowed with wisdom but _being_ wisdom itself, providing not just guidance for earthly governance but eternal salvation and righteous rule for all who believe. As [1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ as Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption") declares, Christ "has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption."

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

James 3:17

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Proverbs 23:7

For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart [is] not with thee.

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

James 3:13

¶ Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

1 Kings 3:28

And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God [was] in him, to do judgment.

1 Kings 3:11

And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;

1 Kings 3:13

And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.