2 Chronicles 1:3

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Second Chronicles 1:3 describes a pivotal moment at the beginning of King Solomon's reign, highlighting his and the nation's act of worship and seeking God's favor. It sets the stage for God's significant encounter with Solomon at Gibeon, where he would later receive the gift of wisdom.

Context

Following his father King David's death, Solomon ascended to the throne of Israel. This verse details his journey, accompanied by "all the congregation," to the "high place" at Gibeon. While "high places" often became sites of illicit worship later in Israel's history, Gibeon was legitimate at this time because it housed the Tabernacle of the Congregation. This portable sanctuary was the very one Moses the servant of the LORD had constructed in the wilderness during the Exodus, serving as the central place of worship and divine presence for centuries. Although the Ark of the Covenant had been moved by David to a tent in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:17), the Tabernacle itself, with its altar of burnt offering, remained at Gibeon, making it a crucial site for national worship and sacrifice.

Key Themes

  • Legitimacy of Worship: Solomon's choice to go to Gibeon underscored the importance of worshipping God at the divinely appointed, albeit temporary, sanctuary. This act affirmed his commitment to the Lord and the established religious practices inherited from Moses.
  • Continuity and Heritage: By seeking God at the Tabernacle made by Moses, Solomon publicly connected his new reign to the foundational history and covenant relationship of Israel, honoring the legacy of God's presence among His people from the wilderness journey.
  • Seeking God's Presence and Blessing: The journey to Gibeon was an act of humility and seeking God's guidance and blessing at the very outset of Solomon's kingship. This pilgrimage, accompanied by the entire congregation, symbolized a national dedication to the Lord.
  • Corporate Responsibility: The presence of "all the congregation with him" emphasizes the communal aspect of worship and the nation's collective reliance on God for their future prosperity and stability under Solomon's leadership.

Linguistic Insight

The term "high place" (Hebrew: bamah) literally refers to an elevated cultic site. While later prophets would condemn worship at these sites due to their association with idolatry, in this specific historical context, Gibeon's "high place" was sanctioned because it housed the Tabernacle of God, making it a legitimate center for sacrifice and communion with the Lord.

Significance and Application

This verse highlights the importance of beginning new endeavors, especially positions of leadership, with a strong emphasis on seeking God. Solomon's example teaches us the value of public and corporate worship, acknowledging God's sovereignty and seeking His favor at critical junctures in life. His act at Gibeon, before he even requested wisdom, demonstrates a foundational principle: that true leadership and prosperity flow from a heart devoted to God and respectful of His established ways. This national pilgrimage to the Tabernacle served as a powerful declaration of dependence on the Lord, a practice that remains relevant for individuals and communities today as we embark on new paths and seek God's direction in all our ways.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 21:29 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • Exodus 40:2 (2 votes)

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

  • Leviticus 1:1 (2 votes)

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

  • 1 Kings 3:4 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.