2 Chronicles 1

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

King Solomon's Request for Wisdom

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Believers are blessed when they make right choices.

  2. Believers are hurt when they make wrong choices.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. What you want is essentially what you get!

QUESTIONS

  1. How do 1 and 2 Chronicles in our English Bible differ from the Hebrew Bible?

  2. Chronicles covers the same time period as which other books of the Old Testament?

  3. If these books cover the same time period, how do they differ?

  4. Why did Saul go up to Gibeon to sacrifice and worship the Lord?

  5. Why is it significant that Solomon amassed horses and wealth for himself?

ANSWERS

  1. a. In the Hebrew Bible they are one book, Chronicles. The division of Chronicles into 1 and 2 Chronicles came later when it was translated into Greek. b. Although the Hebrew Bible has the same content as our English Bible, the books are in a different order. In the Hebrew Bible, Chronicles comes last.

  2. 1 Chronicles covers the same time period as 2 Samuel, while 2 Chronicles parallels 1 and 2 Kings.

  3. The perspective of 2 Chronicles is different from that of 1 and 2 Kings. 1 and 2 Kings give a political history of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, whereas 2 Chronicles gives more of a religious history. It traces only the kings of Judah because they were in God's chosen line of kings through David and Solomon.

  4. The Tabernacle and bronze altar were located at Gibeon, about seven miles northwest of Jerusalem. Here is where sacrifices to the Lord took place in accordance with the Law. The Ark of the Covenant, however, was at this time in a tent David had prepared in Jerusalem.

  5. Solomon certainly would have known the warning of Deuteronomy 17:16-17, which warned a king not to accumulate horses, wealth, and wives for himself. God may have blessed him with these things, but Solomon took it upon himself to amass these signs of status.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Solomon made the right choice when he asked for wisdom - and God blessed him. What daily choices can you make as a believer that will bring positive results in your life and God's blessing? In other words, what simple choices will have big results?

  2. After Solomon began accumulating wives and wealth it wasn't long before false prophets and false gods came into the kingdom. Recall a time in your life when you made what seemed like a small big choice, but the consequences quickly escalated. Have you allowed the Lord to redeem that bad decision?

CHALLENGE

  1. Sometimes God gives us exactly what we want, although it is not for our best. Let's make choices that are pleasing to God, because what you want is essentially what you get.

KEY VERSES

  • "Now Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and exalted him exceedingly." 2 Chronicles 1:1

  • "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life - but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king - wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like." 2 Chronicles 1:11-12

Ron Reid