2 Chronicles 1:9

KJV

Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now, O LORD {H3068} God {H430}, let thy promise {H1697} unto David {H1732} my father {H1} be established {H539}: for thou hast made me king {H4427} over a people {H5971} like the dust {H6083} of the earth {H776} in multitude {H7227}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now, ADONAI, God, you have been faithful to your promise to David my father; for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the grains of dust on the earth.

Berean Standard Bible

Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to my father David be fulfilled. For You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.

American Standard Version

Now, O Jehovah God, let thy promise unto David my father be established; for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Chronicles 1:9, King Solomon, newly ascended to the throne of Israel, addresses the LORD God with a profound prayer of dependence and acknowledgment. Standing before God at Gibeon, he humbly requests the establishment and fulfillment of the divine promise made to his father, David, recognizing the overwhelming responsibility of ruling a people as numerous as "the dust of the earth." This verse encapsulates Solomon's initial posture of humility and reliance on God's covenant faithfulness, setting the stage for his subsequent request for wisdom to govern such a vast nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the pivotal account of Solomon's encounter with God at Gibeon, detailed in [2 Chronicles 1](/2_chronicles/1 "2 Chronicles 1 - Solomon's Request for Wisdom"). Following his grand sacrificial offering of a thousand burnt offerings (2 Chronicles 1:6), the Lord appears to Solomon in a dream, inviting him to ask for whatever he desires (2 Chronicles 1:7). Solomon's prayer in verse 9 serves as the preamble to his famous request for wisdom in verse 10. It demonstrates his immediate understanding of the immense task ahead and his deep-seated awareness that his kingship is divinely ordained and dependent on God's prior promises to David. This humble acknowledgment of God's faithfulness and the magnitude of his responsibility precedes and justifies his subsequent plea for the necessary discernment to lead.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Gibeon, at this time, was a significant high place where the tabernacle of the Lord and the bronze altar of Bezalel were located (2 Chronicles 1:3-5). Offering a thousand burnt offerings was an act of immense devotion and national worship, signifying Solomon's commitment to God at the very outset of his reign. The transfer of power from David to Solomon was a critical moment for the nascent monarchy, requiring divine legitimation. Kingship in ancient Israel was understood not merely as a political office but as a spiritual stewardship, with the king serving as God's representative to His people. The phrase "dust of the earth in multitude" harks back to the Abrahamic covenant, specifically God's promise to Abraham of innumerable descendants (e.g., [Genesis 13:16](/genesis/13-16 "Genesis 13:16 - Promise of Innumerable Descendants") and [Genesis 22:17](/genesis/22-17 "Genesis 22:17 - God's Oath to Abraham")). This cultural and historical echo would have powerfully reminded Solomon and the original audience of God's enduring faithfulness across generations, from the patriarchs to the Davidic dynasty.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Chronicles 1:9](/2_chronicles/1-9 "2 Chronicles 1:9 - Solomon's Prayer for the Davidic Covenant") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Chronicles. Foremost is the **Davidic Covenant**, which forms the theological backbone of the Chronicler's narrative. Solomon's prayer for God to "establish" the promise to David underscores the enduring nature of God's commitment to David's lineage and throne, a promise foundational to Israel's hope (e.g., [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant")). Secondly, the verse highlights **Divine Appointment and Humility in Leadership**. Solomon explicitly states, "thou hast made me king," acknowledging that his authority is derived solely from God's sovereign hand, not human merit or political maneuvering. This humility, coupled with his recognition of the vastness of the people, sets the stage for his wise request in [2 Chronicles 1:10](/2_chronicles/1-10 "2 Chronicles 1:10 - Solomon's Request for Wisdom"). Finally, the verse reinforces the theme of **God's Faithfulness to His Promises**. By echoing the Abrahamic promise of innumerable descendants, Solomon's prayer serves as a testament to God's consistent and unwavering fulfillment of His word throughout Israel's history, providing a secure foundation for the future of the kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Established (Hebrew, _qum'_):** This verb, often translated as "to rise," "to stand," or "to confirm," carries significant weight here. Solomon is not merely asking God to remember His promise to David, but to actively bring it to fruition, to make it firm, enduring, and visibly manifest in his reign. It implies a desire for divine action that solidifies the dynastic promise and ensures its stability.
* **Multitude (Hebrew, _rov'_):** While the common Hebrew word for "multitude," its usage here in conjunction with "dust of the earth" emphasizes an overwhelming, almost immeasurable quantity. It conveys the sheer scale of the population Solomon is called to govern, highlighting the immense responsibility and the need for divine assistance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now, O LORD God,"**: Solomon begins his prayer by directly addressing God, using a formal and reverent invocation. The "Now" signals a transition into a direct petition, emphasizing the immediate and pressing nature of his request at the outset of his reign.
* **"let thy promise unto David my father be established:"**: This is the core of Solomon's initial plea. He is not asking for a new promise, but for the confirmation and fulfillment of the existing Davidic Covenant, which guaranteed an enduring dynasty for David's lineage. Solomon recognizes that his legitimacy and the stability of his kingdom are rooted in God's faithfulness to this covenant.
* **"for thou hast made me king over a people"**: Solomon grounds his request in God's sovereign action. He acknowledges that his kingship is not by human design or personal ambition but by divine appointment. This recognition underscores his humility and dependence on the very God who elevated him.
* **"like the dust of the earth in multitude."**: This powerful simile describes the vastness of the Israelite population. It is an echo of the Abrahamic covenant's promise of innumerable descendants, reminding both Solomon and the reader of God's miraculous multiplication of His people and the immense responsibility that comes with governing such a large, divinely blessed nation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Hyperbole** and **Simile** in the phrase "a people like the dust of the earth in multitude." This is not a literal count but an exaggerated comparison to emphasize the vast, uncountable number of people Solomon is tasked to rule, underscoring the overwhelming nature of his responsibility. It also functions as an **Allusion** to the Abrahamic covenant, connecting Solomon's reign directly to God's ancient promises of multiplying His people. The entire verse functions as a **Supplication** or **Prayer**, demonstrating Solomon's humble posture before God. The structure of the verse, moving from a direct address to a petition, then to a justification based on God's actions and the scale of the task, reveals a logical and reverent approach to divine interaction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Solomon's prayer in [2 Chronicles 1:9](/2_chronicles/1-9 "2 Chronicles 1:9 - Solomon's Prayer for the Davidic Covenant") is a profound theological statement, anchoring his reign in God's covenant faithfulness rather than human strength or political prowess. It underscores the enduring nature of the Davidic Covenant, revealing that even the king, God's chosen representative, is utterly dependent on divine initiative and promise-keeping. Solomon's recognition of the "multitude" of God's people highlights the sacred trust placed upon him, a responsibility that necessitates divine wisdom and enablement. This verse sets the stage for the chronicler's emphasis on righteous kingship and the blessings that flow from obedience to God's word, portraying Solomon's reign as a direct continuation and fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for Israel.

* [2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "God's Promise to David")
* [Psalm 72:1-2](/psalms/72-1 "A Prayer for the King")
* [Genesis 22:17](/genesis/22-17 "God's Oath to Abraham")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Solomon's prayer in [2 Chronicles 1:9](/2_chronicles/1-9 "2 Chronicles 1:9 - Solomon's Prayer for the Davidic Covenant") offers a timeless paradigm for believers facing new responsibilities or daunting tasks. Before making any specific request, Solomon first acknowledges God's sovereign hand in his appointment ("thou hast made me king") and the overwhelming scale of the task ("a people like the dust of the earth"). His primary plea is not for personal gain or power, but for God to establish His own promise. This teaches us that true leadership and effective service begin with humility, recognizing that our abilities and positions are gifts from God, and that our ultimate aim should be the fulfillment of His purposes and promises, not our own. When we approach our callings with such a posture of dependence, we open ourselves to God's wisdom and enablement, trusting that He who has called us will also equip us to steward the responsibilities He has entrusted to us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Solomon's immediate focus on God's promise to David, rather than his own needs, challenge our typical approach to prayer when facing new responsibilities?**
* **In what areas of your life do you feel overwhelmed by the "multitude" of tasks or people you are responsible for? How can you apply Solomon's posture of humility and dependence on God's established word?**
* **What "promises" of God do you need to ask Him to "establish" or fulfill in your life or circumstances today?**

### FAQ
**Why is it significant that Solomon mentions the "dust of the earth in multitude"?**

Answer: The phrase "dust of the earth in multitude" is a direct echo of God's covenant promises to Abraham (e.g., [Genesis 13:16](/genesis/13-16 "Genesis 13:16 - Promise of Innumerable Descendants"); [Genesis 28:14](/genesis/28-14 "Genesis 28:14 - Jacob's Dream at Bethel")). By using this imagery, Solomon is not only acknowledging the vastness of the Israelite population he is called to govern, but he is also implicitly reminding God (and himself) of God's faithfulness to His ancient promises. It signifies that the growth and prosperity of Israel are a direct result of God's miraculous work through the generations, reinforcing the idea that his kingship is part of a larger divine plan rooted in covenant history.

**What is the "promise unto David my father" that Solomon refers to?**

Answer: Solomon is referring to the Davidic Covenant, a pivotal promise made by God to King David through the prophet Nathan, recorded in [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant"). In this covenant, God promised David that He would establish his house, kingdom, and throne forever. Specifically, God promised that David's "seed" (Solomon) would build God a house (the Temple) and that his throne would be established "forever." Solomon's prayer in [2 Chronicles 1:9](/2_chronicles/1-9 "2 Chronicles 1:9 - Solomon's Prayer for the Davidic Covenant") is a plea for God to actively fulfill and confirm this dynastic promise through his own reign, recognizing that the stability and legitimacy of his kingship are entirely dependent on God's faithfulness to this covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [2 Chronicles 1:9](/2_chronicles/1-9 "2 Chronicles 1:9 - Solomon's Prayer for the Davidic Covenant") speaks of Solomon's earthly reign and the establishment of the Davidic kingdom, its deepest fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ, the ultimate Son of David. Solomon's prayer for the "promise unto David my father to be established" foreshadows the coming of the one whose kingdom would truly be eternal and whose reign would perfectly embody divine wisdom and justice. Jesus, born of the lineage of David ([Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus")), is the true King over a people far greater than the "dust of the earth in multitude"—a spiritual multitude drawn from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - The Multitude from Every Nation")). Unlike Solomon, whose kingdom eventually divided and fell, Jesus' kingdom is an everlasting one, and He reigns not by human appointment, but by divine right and eternal covenant ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - Prophecy of Jesus' Kingship")). Solomon's humility in acknowledging God's sovereignty and the overwhelming task of leading God's people points to Christ, who perfectly humbled Himself, taking on the form of a servant, to shepherd His people and establish a new covenant through His sacrifice ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humiliation")). Thus, Solomon's initial plea for the establishment of God's promise finds its glorious and eternal consummation in the person and work of Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

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

Genesis 13:16

And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, [then] shall thy seed also be numbered.

2 Samuel 7:12

And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

2 Samuel 7:16

And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

Genesis 22:17

That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which [is] upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

Psalms 89:35

Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.

Psalms 89:37

It shall be established for ever as the moon, and [as] a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.

Psalms 132:11

¶ The LORD hath sworn [in] truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.