Now Solomon son of DavidSolomon, the son of King David and Bathsheba, is a central figure in the history of Israel. His lineage is significant as it fulfills God's promise to David that his descendants would sit on the throne of Israel (
2 Samuel 7:12-16). Solomon's birth is a testament to God's grace, as he was born after the tumultuous events surrounding David and Bathsheba. His name, meaning "peace," reflects the era of peace and prosperity that characterized his reign. Solomon is also a type of Christ, as both are seen as kings of peace and wisdom.
established himself securely over his kingdom
Solomon's establishment over the kingdom signifies a period of stability and consolidation of power. This was not an automatic process; it involved political acumen and divine favor. The transition of power from David to Solomon was marked by challenges, including rival claims to the throne by Adonijah (1 Kings 1:5-53). Solomon's secure establishment is a fulfillment of God's promise to David and a reflection of divine providence in the governance of Israel.
and the LORD his God was with him
The presence of the LORD with Solomon is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, indicating divine approval and support. This phrase echoes the covenantal relationship between God and the kings of Israel, where obedience to God's commandments results in divine favor. The LORD's presence with Solomon is reminiscent of God's promise to be with David and his descendants (1 Kings 2:3-4). It underscores the importance of faithfulness to God for the success of a ruler.
and highly exalted him
Solomon's exaltation is both a divine act and a recognition of his wisdom and leadership. His exaltation is seen in the wealth, wisdom, and influence he attained, making him renowned among the nations (1 Kings 10:23-24). This exaltation is a precursor to the ultimate exaltation of Jesus Christ, who is the greater Son of David, exalted above all (Philippians 2:9-11). Solomon's reign is a foreshadowing of the peace and prosperity that will characterize the Messianic kingdom.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SolomonThe son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon is known for his wisdom, wealth, and building the First Temple in Jerusalem. He succeeded David as king of Israel.
2.
DavidThe second king of Israel, a man after God's own heart, and the father of Solomon. His reign established Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Israel.
3.
The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is actively involved in the lives of His people, guiding and exalting Solomon as king.
4.
The Kingdom of IsraelThe united monarchy under Solomon, which reached its peak in terms of wealth, influence, and territorial expansion during his reign.
5.
Exaltation of SolomonThe divine favor and blessing that Solomon received, which established his rule and brought prosperity to Israel.
Teaching Points
Divine Favor and LeadershipSolomon's secure establishment as king illustrates the importance of God's favor in leadership. True success and security come from God's blessing and guidance.
Legacy and ContinuitySolomon's reign is a continuation of David's legacy, reminding us of the importance of building on the spiritual foundations laid by those who came before us.
God's Faithfulness to His PromisesThe exaltation of Solomon is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, encouraging believers to trust in God's timing and plans.
Wisdom and ResponsibilitySolomon's account encourages us to seek wisdom from God, recognizing that with great blessing comes great responsibility to lead justly and righteously.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 1:1?
2.How does Solomon's "established kingdom" reflect God's faithfulness to David's lineage?
3.What can we learn from Solomon's "greatly exalted" status about God's blessings?
4.How does 2 Chronicles 1:1 connect with God's promise in 1 Kings 3:12?
5.In what ways can we seek God's wisdom like Solomon in our lives?
6.How can we apply Solomon's example of leadership to our own responsibilities?
7.How does 2 Chronicles 1:1 demonstrate God's favor towards Solomon?
8.Why is Solomon's success significant in 2 Chronicles 1:1?
9.What does 2 Chronicles 1:1 reveal about God's covenant with David's lineage?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 1?
11.Why does God prohibit David from building the temple in 2 Samuel 7 yet allow Solomon to do so, raising questions of consistency in divine commands?
12.In 1 Chronicles 28:3, why would a God of peace forbid David from building the temple simply because he had shed blood, yet historically use wars and conquests to establish Israel?
13.In 2 Chronicles 2:11-12, why does Tyrian King Hiram express devotion to Israel's God when no independent Tyrian records verify such reverence?
14.How many stalls of horses did Solomon have? (1 Kings 4:26 vs. 2 Chronicles 9:25)What Does 2 Chronicles 1:1 Mean
Now Solomon son of David• For the Chronicler, naming Solomon immediately after David keeps the covenant promise front-and-center (2 Samuel 7:12-13;1 Chronicles 22:9-10).
• The royal line God pledged to David has not wavered; Solomon is the legitimate heir (1 Kings 2:12).
• Remember that David prepared lavishly for the temple and prayed for his son’s faithfulness (1 Chronicles 29:19). The verse signals that the baton has been firmly passed.
Established himself securely over his kingdom• The Hebrew idea is one of being firmly fixed, not merely occupying a throne.
• God enabled Solomon to stabilize the realm after potentially turbulent transitions (1 Kings 2:45;1 Chronicles 29:25).
• Security came through obeying David’s final charge—upholding justice, removing threats, and honoring covenant commitments (1 Kings 2:1-9, 46).
• Practical takeaway: stability in leadership flows from aligning with God’s directives, not from power plays alone.
The LORD his God was with him• “The LORD was with him” echoes promises given to earlier leaders (Joshua 1:5;1 Samuel 18:14).
• God’s presence is the true source of success, confirmingPsalm 127:1—“Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain.”
• Solomon’s early humility—seen in his request for wisdom rather than riches (1 Kings 3:7-12)—positioned him to experience this nearness.
• God’s companionship is personal: “his God,” not a distant deity. The covenant relationship remains vibrant.
And highly exalted him• The lift comes from heaven, not from Solomon’s pedigree or policies (1 Chronicles 29:25;1 Kings 3:13).
• Exaltation included unrivaled wisdom (1 Kings 4:29-34), international acclaim (1 Kings 10:23), and immense wealth (2 Chronicles 9:22-23).
• Yet the purpose of elevation was service—building the temple so nations might know the Lord (2 Chronicles 2:5-6).
• The pattern repeats throughout Scripture: God exalts the humble (James 4:10), pointing ultimately to Christ, the greater Son of David (Philippians 2:8-11).
summary2 Chronicles 1:1 shows Solomon stepping into God’s longstanding promise to David, receiving divine help to secure his reign, enjoying God’s intimate presence, and being lifted to unmatched greatness. The verse reminds us that legitimate authority, enduring stability, and true honor all flow from the Lord, who delights to exalt those who depend on Him.
I.(a) The sacrifice at Gibeon, and Solomon's dream (2Chronicles 1:1-13). (b) The king's chariots and horsemen, wealth and commerce (2Chronicles 1:14-17).
(1)And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom.--Or,showed himself strong over his kingdom; firmly grasped the reins of power, and showed himself a strong ruler. (Comp.2Chronicles 17:1; also2Chronicles 12:13;2Chronicles 13:21;2Chronicles 21:4.) The chronicler omits all that is related in 1 Kings 1, 2, as not falling within the scope of his narrative. Comp. with this opening sentence1Kings 2:46, "And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon." . . .
Verse 1. -
Was strengthened in hiskingdom. This expression, or one very closely resembling it, is frequently found both in Chronicles and elsewhere, so far as the English Version is concerned. But the verb in its present form (hithp. conjugation) is found in Chronicles, omitting other books, just fifteen times, and rarely, if ever, to the level of the mere passive voice. It carries rather the idea of a person who exerts himself, and does all that in him lies
to nerve himself with strength for any object (
1 Chronicles 11:10;
1 Chronicles 19:13;
2 Chronicles 12:13;
2 Chronicles 13:7, 8, 21;
2 Chronicles 15:8;
2 Chronicles 16:9;
2 Chronicles 17:1;
2 Chronicles 21:4;
2 Chronicles 23:1;
2 Chronicles 25:11;
2 Chronicles 27:6;
2 Chronicles 32:5). It may suggest to us that Solomon threw the force of moral energy and resolution into his work and life at this period.
The Lord his God was with him;
i.e. Jehovah his God was with him. The parallels of this very simple and natural expression are too numerous for quotation. Some of the earliest are found in well-known connections in the Book of Genesis, as
e.g. Genesis 21:22; 26:28; 28:15, 20; 31:3. Again,
Numbers 14:14, 43;
Numbers 23:21;
Joshua 14:12;
Judges 6:13;
Ruth 2:4;
1 Samuel 17:37;
2 Samuel 5:10;
1 Chronicles 11:9;
1 Chronicles 22:11, 16;
2 Chronicles 15:9;
2 Chronicles 19:11;
2 Chronicles 36:23;
Amos 5:14. The beautiful New Testament equivalent occurs in
2 Thessalonians 3:16, and elsewhere. Like some other of those earliest concisest religious expressions, brevity and simplicity are fully charged with suggestion. And the above quotations will be found to furnish examples of the manifold practical use of the Lord's
presence with any one. That presence may infer the help just of companionship, or of sure sympathy, or of needed counsel, or of strength in the hour of temptation, or of absolute practical help, or of the highest revealings of faith. The whole circle of need, of human and Christian need, the Divine presence "will supply" (
Philippians 4:19). The "need" of Solomon in his present position was patent and pressing. Would that he had always kept by the true supply of it!
Magnified him exceedingly. This verb in its piel conjugation, signifying "to make grow," occurs twenty-six times in the various books of the Old Testament, some of the more characteristic occurrences of it being found in the following passages:
Genesis 12:2;
Numbers 6:5;
Joshua 3:7;
Joshua 4:17;
1 Kings 1:37, 47;
2 Kings 10:6;
1 Chronicles 29:12, 25;
Esther 3:1;
Job 7:17;
Psalm 34:4;
Psalm 69:31;
Isaiah 1:2;
Isaiah 44:14;
Ezekiel 31:4;
Daniel 1:5;
Hosea 9:12.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Now Solomonשְׁלֹמֹ֥ה(šə·lō·mōh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010:Solomon -- David's son and successor to his thronesonבֶן־(ḇen-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121:A sonof Davidדָּוִ֖יד(dā·wîḏ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732:David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesseestablished himself securelyוַיִּתְחַזֵּ֛ק(way·yiṯ·ḥaz·zêq)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2388:To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conqueroverעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againsthis kingdom,מַלְכוּת֑וֹ(mal·ḵū·ṯōw)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4438:Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdomand the LORDוַיהוָ֤ה(Yah·weh)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelhis Godאֱלֹהָיו֙(’ĕ·lō·hāw)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativewas with himעִמּ֔וֹ(‘im·mōw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973:With, equally withand highlyלְמָֽעְלָה׃(lə·mā·‘ə·lāh)Preposition-l | Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4605:The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the topexalted him.וַֽיְגַדְּלֵ֖הוּ(way·ḡad·də·lê·hū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1431:To grow up, become great
Links
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2 Chronicles 1:1 BibleApps.com2 Chronicles 1:1 Biblia Paralela2 Chronicles 1:1 Chinese Bible2 Chronicles 1:1 French Bible2 Chronicles 1:1 Catholic Bible
OT History: 2 Chronicles 1:1 Solomon the son of David was strengthened (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) 
