2 Chronicles 1:3

KJV

So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that [was] at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.

KJV (with Strong's)

So Solomon {H8010}, and all the congregation {H6951} with him, went {H3212} to the high place {H1116} that was at Gibeon {H1391}; for there was the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150} of God {H430}, which Moses {H4872} the servant {H5650} of the LORD {H3068} had made {H6213} in the wilderness {H4057}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Shlomo and the whole community with him went to the high place at Giv'on, because in that place was God's tent of meeting, which Moshe the servant of ADONAI had made in the desert.

Berean Standard Bible

And Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon because it was the location of God’s Tent of Meeting, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.

American Standard Version

So Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tent of meeting of God, which Moses the servant of Jehovah had made in the wilderness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 1:3 narrates the pivotal moment at the dawn of King Solomon's reign, detailing his and the entire congregation's journey to the high place at Gibeon. This pilgrimage was an act of national worship and seeking divine favor, made legitimate by the presence of the Tabernacle of the congregation, the very sanctuary crafted by Moses in the wilderness. This event sets the stage for God's significant appearance to Solomon at Gibeon, where the young king would famously request and receive the gift of wisdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the affirmation of Solomon's kingdom and his consolidation of power, noting that "Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and magnified him exceedingly" ([2 Chronicles 1:1](/2_chronicles/1-1 "2 Chronicles 1:1 - Solomon's Reign Established")). It transitions from a general statement of Solomon's prosperity to a specific act of worship that precedes God's direct intervention. The subsequent verses detail God's appearance to Solomon at Gibeon and the granting of wisdom, making this journey a crucial prelude to that divine encounter. While the Ark of the Covenant had been brought to Jerusalem by David ([2 Samuel 6:17](/2_samuel/6-17 "2 Samuel 6:17 - David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem")), the Tabernacle, with its central altar of burnt offering, remained at Gibeon, highlighting a temporary but legitimate dual center of worship before the Temple's construction.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Solomon's reign began after a period of intense political maneuvering and the consolidation of power following David's death ([1 Kings 2:12](/1_kings/2-12 "1 Kings 2:12 - Solomon's Throne Established")). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a new king's reign often began with significant religious acts to secure divine blessing and legitimacy. Gibeon, located northwest of Jerusalem, was a prominent "high place" (Hebrew: *bamah*). While many high places later became associated with illicit worship and idolatry, Gibeon was unique and legitimate at this time because it housed the ancient Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary constructed by Moses in the wilderness ([Exodus 35:1-40:38](/exodus/35 "Exodus 35 - Instructions for the Tabernacle")). This made it a divinely sanctioned site for large-scale national sacrifices and communion with God, representing a continuity of Israel's covenant relationship with the Lord from its foundational period.

* **Key Themes:** Solomon's journey to Gibeon underscores several key themes. First, it highlights the **legitimacy of worship** and obedience to God's established means of approaching Him, even if temporary. By seeking God at the Tabernacle made by [Moses, the servant of the LORD](/deuteronomy/34-5 "Deuteronomy 34:5 - Moses, the Servant of the LORD"), Solomon publicly affirmed his commitment to the Lord and connected his reign to the foundational history and covenant relationship of Israel. Second, it emphasizes **continuity and heritage**, demonstrating Solomon's respect for the divine institutions inherited from previous generations. Third, the act represents a profound **seeking of God's presence and blessing** at the very outset of his kingship, an act of humility and dependence. Finally, the presence of "all the congregation with him" stresses the **corporate responsibility** of the nation, symbolizing a collective dedication to the Lord and a reliance on His favor for their future stability and prosperity under Solomon's leadership, echoing the importance of communal worship seen throughout [Israel's history](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **High place (Hebrew, _bamah'_):** This term refers to an elevated cultic site. While *bamah* often carries negative connotations in later biblical texts, denoting illicit pagan worship or unauthorized Israelite altars, in this specific context, the "high place" at Gibeon was legitimate. Its legitimacy stemmed entirely from housing the divinely ordained Tabernacle and its associated altar, making it a sanctioned center for sacrifice and communion with God prior to the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
* **Tabernacle (Hebrew, _'ohel mo'ed'_):** Literally meaning "tent of meeting," this portable sanctuary was the central place where God's presence dwelt among His people during their wilderness wanderings and early settlement in Canaan. Its presence at Gibeon signified that this was not merely a local shrine but the primary national worship center, consecrated by God's own glory ([Exodus 40:34-35](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34-35 - The Glory of the LORD Fills the Tabernacle")). It symbolized God's accessibility and His covenant relationship with Israel.
* **Congregation (Hebrew, _qahal'_):** This term denotes the assembled community or assembly of Israel. The inclusion of "all the congregation with him" emphasizes the corporate nature of this worship act. It was not merely a private devotion by Solomon but a public, national pilgrimage, signifying a collective commitment and dependence on God at the dawn of a new era.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that [was] at Gibeon;":** This clause highlights Solomon's initiative as the new king, leading his people in a significant act of worship. The inclusion of "all the congregation" underscores the national, communal aspect of this pilgrimage, signifying a unified seeking of God's favor and blessing at the commencement of Solomon's reign. The specific destination, Gibeon, is named as the site of this crucial encounter.
* **"for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God,":** This provides the crucial justification for the legitimacy of Gibeon as a worship site, despite its designation as a "high place." The presence of the Tabernacle, the divinely appointed dwelling place of God's glory and the center for Israel's sacrificial system, transformed Gibeon into a sacred and permissible location for national worship and sacrifice.
* **"which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.":** This final clause emphasizes the Tabernacle's ancient origins and its direct connection to Moses, God's chosen servant, and the foundational period of Israel's history. It underscores the continuity of God's covenant and His enduring presence among His people, linking Solomon's contemporary act of worship to the sacred heritage established during the Exodus.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is prominent, with Gibeon serving as a symbol of legitimate worship and continuity with Israel's spiritual heritage, specifically through the presence of the Tabernacle, which itself is a powerful symbol of God's dwelling among His people. The journey of "all the congregation" to Gibeon is an act of **corporate symbolism**, representing the entire nation's dedication and reliance on God. The verse also utilizes **foreshadowing**, as this act of seeking God's presence and favor at Gibeon directly precedes and sets the stage for God's appearance to Solomon and the granting of wisdom, indicating that Solomon's initial act of devotion was a prerequisite for divine blessing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the theological principle that true leadership and national prosperity are rooted in a foundational commitment to God and His established ways. Solomon's inaugural act of leading the entire nation to Gibeon, the site of the Tabernacle, demonstrates a profound understanding that divine blessing is not earned through human might or wisdom, but through humble submission and seeking God's presence. This corporate pilgrimage signifies a national acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and a collective dependence on His guidance for the future. It underscores the importance of valuing spiritual heritage and maintaining continuity with God's past dealings with His people, recognizing that the Tabernacle, made by Moses, represented centuries of divine presence and covenant faithfulness.

* [Exodus 40:34-35](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34-35 - The Glory of the LORD Fills the Tabernacle")
* [1 Kings 3:4-5](/1_kings/3-4 "1 Kings 3:4-5 - Solomon Sacrifices at Gibeon and God Appears")
* [Deuteronomy 12:5-7](/deuteronomy/12-5 "Deuteronomy 12:5-7 - God Will Choose a Place for His Name")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Solomon's journey to Gibeon at the outset of his reign offers a timeless paradigm for individuals and communities today. It teaches us the profound importance of beginning new endeavors, especially those involving leadership or significant life transitions, with a deliberate and public act of seeking God's presence and blessing. This isn't merely a perfunctory religious duty, but a foundational declaration of dependence, acknowledging that true success and wisdom flow from Him. The corporate nature of this pilgrimage also reminds us of the power and significance of communal worship and shared spiritual commitment. In an age that often prioritizes individual achievement, Solomon's example calls us to remember our collective reliance on God and the strength found in corporate dedication. It challenges us to reflect on how we honor our spiritual heritage and ensure that our actions, particularly in leadership, are rooted in humility and a genuine pursuit of God's will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can we, like Solomon, intentionally "go to Gibeon" in our lives today when embarking on new phases, projects, or responsibilities?**
* **What is the significance of corporate worship in our spiritual journey, and how can we cultivate a deeper sense of communal dependence on God?**
* **In what ways do we honor and draw strength from the spiritual "Tabernacle" or heritage passed down to us by previous generations of faith?**
* **How does our leadership, whether in family, work, or ministry, reflect a foundational reliance on God's wisdom and blessing rather than solely on our own abilities?**

### FAQ
**Why did Solomon go to Gibeon if the Ark of the Covenant was in Jerusalem?**

Answer: While King David had brought the Ark of the Covenant to a tent in Jerusalem ([2 Samuel 6:17](/2_samuel/6-17 "2 Samuel 6:17 - David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem")), the Tabernacle itself, which housed the bronze altar for burnt offerings and was the primary site for large-scale national sacrifices, remained at Gibeon. This arrangement meant that for comprehensive national worship involving extensive sacrifices, Gibeon was the appropriate and legitimate location. Solomon's act was therefore an adherence to the established, albeit temporary, divinely sanctioned protocols for national worship before the construction of the Temple, which would consolidate both the Ark and the sacrificial system in one place.

**What is a "high place" and why was Gibeon legitimate when other high places were condemned?**

Answer: A "high place" (Hebrew: *bamah*) literally refers to an elevated cultic site. Throughout much of Israel's history, these sites became associated with idolatry or unauthorized worship of Yahweh, leading to their condemnation by prophets and kings. However, Gibeon was an exception at this time because it housed the divinely ordained Tabernacle of the congregation and its altar, which Moses had constructed in the wilderness ([Exodus 35:1-40:38](/exodus/35 "Exodus 35 - Instructions for the Tabernacle")). Its legitimacy derived solely from the presence of this sacred, God-commissioned sanctuary, making it a permissible and central location for national worship before the Temple in Jerusalem became the singular, permanent dwelling place for God's name.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Solomon's pilgrimage to Gibeon, a temporary dwelling place of God's presence, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate dwelling of God among humanity in Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle, a physical structure where God met His people, points to Christ, who is the true "Tabernacle" or "tent" of God, as [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") declares, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." Solomon's seeking of wisdom and blessing at the outset of his reign finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is not merely wise, but is the very embodiment of divine wisdom, as [1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ, Our Wisdom") states, "Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God." The corporate journey of "all the congregation" to Gibeon anticipates the gathering of God's new covenant people, the Church, who are called to assemble in Christ's name, recognizing Him as their head and the source of all blessing and guidance ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with God's People")). The sacrifices offered at Gibeon, though legitimate, were temporary and incomplete, pointing forward to the definitive and perfect sacrifice of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), a sacrifice that fully cleanses and makes communion with God eternally possible ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's One Sacrifice")). Thus, Solomon's act of seeking God in a temporary dwelling ultimately directs our gaze to the permanent and perfect presence of God in Christ, our Lord and King.

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

1 Chronicles 21:29

For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of the burnt offering, [were] at that season in the high place at Gibeon.

1 Chronicles 16:39

And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that [was] at Gibeon,

Deuteronomy 34:5

¶ So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.

Exodus 40:2

On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.

Leviticus 1:1

¶ And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,

1 Kings 3:4

And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that [was] the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.

1 Kings 3:15

And Solomon awoke; and, behold, [it was] a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.