2 Chronicles 1:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 1:7 records a pivotal divine encounter where God directly appeared to King Solomon, immediately following his grand act of worship and sacrifice at Gibeon. This verse marks the beginning of a profound dialogue, as God presents Solomon with an extraordinary and open-ended invitation to ask for anything he desires, setting the stage for the young king's renowned request for wisdom and the subsequent flourishing of his reign and the building of the Temple.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Solomon's magnificent act of worship described in [2 Chronicles 1:6](/2_chronicles/1-6 "2 Chronicles 1:6 - Solomon's Thousand Burnt Offerings"). Having ascended the throne after his father David, Solomon, along with "all the assembly of Israel," went to the high place at Gibeon, where the tabernacle of meeting and the bronze altar were located. There, he offered a thousand burnt offerings, a lavish display of devotion and a seeking of divine favor at the commencement of his kingship. The phrase "In that night" directly links God's appearance to this significant act of public worship, presenting it as a divine response to Solomon's earnest seeking. This account parallels the narrative in [1 Kings 3:4-5](/1_kings/3-5 "1 Kings 3:4-5 - God Appears to Solomon at Gibeon"), emphasizing the importance of this encounter in both historical records.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Gibeon was a significant cultic site before the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. It housed the Tabernacle of Moses and the bronze altar (cf. [2 Chronicles 1:3-5](/2_chronicles/1-3 "2 Chronicles 1:3-5 - The Tabernacle at Gibeon")), making it a legitimate and prominent place for worship and sacrifice. Kings in the ancient Near East often sought divine legitimation and guidance, and grand sacrifices were common ways to secure divine favor. Solomon, as a young and relatively inexperienced king inheriting a vast kingdom from his powerful father David, would have keenly felt the weight of his responsibilities. His pilgrimage to Gibeon and the immense sacrifice were not mere rituals but a profound expression of his dependence on God for the success of his reign, particularly in light of the covenant God had made with his father, David, concerning an enduring dynasty (cf. [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several crucial themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Initiative**, demonstrating that God actively engages with His people and their leaders, responding to genuine devotion. God was not sought out by Solomon in this specific moment; rather, He initiated the encounter, showing His readiness to bless. Secondly, the phrase "Ask what I shall give thee" underscores **Unprecedented Divine Generosity and Invitation**. This is not a limited offer but a divine "blank check," revealing God's boundless willingness to bless those who seek Him with pure motives. It serves as a profound test of Solomon's priorities, foreshadowing his wise choice in [2 Chronicles 1:11-12](/2_chronicles/1-11 "2 Chronicles 1:11-12 - Solomon's Request for Wisdom"). Thirdly, it signifies **Divine Favor and Affirmation** upon Solomon's kingship, indicating God's readiness to empower him for the immense task of leading Israel and fulfilling the divine mandate to build the Temple (cf. [1 Chronicles 28:10](/1_chronicles/28-10 "1 Chronicles 28:10 - David's Charge to Solomon to Build the Temple")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **appear (Hebrew, _nir'ah'_):** This is the Nifal (passive-reflexive) form of the verb *ra'ah* (רָאָה), meaning "to see." In the Nifal, it signifies "to be seen," "to appear," or "to show oneself." This grammatical form emphasizes that God Himself was the subject of the action, actively making Himself visible or discernible to Solomon. It denotes a direct, personal, and clear manifestation of God's presence, not merely a message delivered by an intermediary, highlighting the intimate and significant nature of this divine encounter.
* **Ask (Hebrew, _sha'al'_):** The verb שְׁאַל (sha'al) is here in the imperative mood, functioning as a direct command or invitation. It implies a complete freedom on Solomon's part to articulate his deepest desires. This is not a suggestion but a direct challenge, emphasizing the responsibility that comes with such an extraordinary opportunity. The open-ended nature of the command ("what I shall give thee") underscores the vastness of God's generosity and the critical test of Solomon's priorities.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In that night did God appear unto Solomon":** This opening phrase firmly anchors the divine encounter to the specific time immediately following Solomon's immense sacrifice at Gibeon. The direct appearance of God (rather than through a prophet or dream, though 1 Kings clarifies it was a dream, 2 Chronicles emphasizes the reality of the divine presence) underscores God's initiative and His direct response to Solomon's fervent devotion. It signifies a moment of profound spiritual significance and divine affirmation for the newly crowned king.
* **"and said unto him":** This clause highlights the direct, personal, and verbal nature of God's communication with Solomon. It was not a silent vision or a mere feeling, but an audible or clearly perceived divine utterance. This direct address establishes a covenantal dialogue, setting the stage for the subsequent interaction where Solomon's character and priorities would be revealed.
* **"Ask what I shall give thee":** This is the core of the divine invitation, an unparalleled offer of divine generosity. It presents Solomon with a "blank check," an open-ended promise from the Almighty to fulfill whatever request Solomon might make. This phrase serves as a profound test of Solomon's heart, revealing what he values most at the outset of his reign and setting the trajectory for his future leadership.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. There is a clear use of **Juxtaposition**, contrasting the grand, public spectacle of Solomon's thousand burnt offerings in the preceding verse with the intimate, private, and direct encounter between God and Solomon "in that night." This highlights the personal nature of God's response to genuine devotion. The phrase "Ask what I shall give thee" functions as a powerful instance of **Foreshadowing**, building dramatic tension as the reader anticipates Solomon's response, which is known to be a request for wisdom. This open-ended invitation also serves as a form of **Divine Test**, probing the king's deepest desires and priorities. Furthermore, the description of God "appearing" and "speaking" to Solomon can be understood as **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like actions to God to convey the reality and directness of His interaction with humanity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates God's active involvement in human affairs, particularly in response to sincere worship and seeking. It reveals a God who is not distant but intimately engaged, ready to bless and empower those whom He calls to leadership. The "blank check" invitation underscores God's boundless generosity and His desire for humanity to approach Him with bold requests, trusting in His capacity and willingness to provide. Theologically, it highlights the principle that God often responds to our devotion by opening doors of opportunity, testing our hearts, and inviting us to align our desires with His kingdom purposes. Solomon's subsequent wise choice for wisdom, rather than material gain, serves as a timeless paradigm for prioritizing spiritual insight and divine guidance above all else.

* [1 Kings 3:5](/1_kings/3-5 "God's Appearance to Solomon in a Dream")
* [Matthew 7:7](/matthew/7-7 "Ask, and it will be given to you")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "Asking God for Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The divine encounter in 2 Chronicles 1:7 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. Just as God appeared to Solomon in response to his earnest worship, so too does God draw near to those who seek Him with sincere hearts. This verse challenges us to consider the nature of our own prayers: are they driven by self-interest, or do they reflect a desire for God's kingdom and His wisdom to guide our lives? God's open-ended invitation to Solomon reminds us of the incredible access we have to God through prayer, inviting us to ask boldly, not presumptuously, but with faith in His character and generosity. It encourages us to examine our priorities, asking ourselves what we would request if given such an opportunity, and whether our desires align with God's will for our lives and for the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Solomon's grand act of worship in [2 Chronicles 1:6](/2_chronicles/1-6 "Solomon's Sacrifice") inform our understanding of why God appeared to him?**
* **If God were to offer you a "blank check" today, what would be your primary request, and why?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge or affirm your current prayer life and priorities?**

### FAQ
**Why did God appear to Solomon at Gibeon and not Jerusalem?**

Answer: At this time, Jerusalem was not yet the exclusive center of worship with the completed Temple. Gibeon was a significant "high place" where the Tabernacle of Moses and the bronze altar were still located (cf. [2 Chronicles 1:3-5](/2_chronicles/1-3 "The Tabernacle at Gibeon")). It was the legitimate and prominent site for large-scale sacrifices and worship. God met Solomon where he was diligently seeking Him according to the established practices of the time, validating Solomon's devotion and the sacredness of the location prior to the Temple's completion.

**Is this appearance a literal physical manifestation or a dream?**

Answer: While [1 Kings 3:5](/1_kings/3-5 "God Appears to Solomon in a Dream") explicitly states that God appeared to Solomon "in a dream," 2 Chronicles 1:7 emphasizes the directness and reality of the divine encounter. The Hebrew verb *nir'ah* (נִרְאָה), translated "appear," signifies a clear, discernible manifestation. Whether experienced within a dream or a vision, it was a genuine, personal, and undeniable communication from God to Solomon, not merely an abstract thought or a general sense of divine presence. Both accounts affirm the authenticity and impact of God's direct interaction with the king.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine invitation to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 1:7, "Ask what I shall give thee," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Solomon's subsequent request for wisdom foreshadows Christ, who is the very embodiment of divine wisdom, in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Christ, the Treasure of Wisdom")). God's open-ended generosity to Solomon points to the even greater, limitless grace and provision offered to humanity through Christ's atoning work. In Christ, believers are not merely given a "blank check" for earthly desires, but are "blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Blessed in Christ")). The access Solomon had to God for a specific request is infinitely surpassed by the access believers have to the Father through Jesus, who invites us to "ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you, if you abide in me, and my words abide in you" ([John 15:7](/john/15-7 "Abiding in Christ and Asking")). Through Christ, we are invited to approach "the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")), experiencing a covenantal relationship far surpassing Solomon's, grounded in the perfect wisdom and ultimate sacrifice of the Lamb of God.

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

Matthew 7:7

¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matthew 7:8

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

1 John 5:14

¶ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

1 John 5:15

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Proverbs 3:6

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

John 16:23

¶ And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give [it] you.