Day 53: II Chronicles 1-4 Solomon builds

II Chronicles 1-4

II Chronicles begins in the middle of a story, the story of God’s covenant faithfulness with
David, continuing on with his son Solomon. What is unique about this story is the way we are
introduced to Solomon. God says to Solomon, “Ask what I shall give you.” What a question! It
truly feels like a genie-in-a-bottle moment, but God is no mere giver of wishes; he is after the
heart. We read that God was after Solomon’s heart, and finds that Solomon’s desires for Israel
and God’s desires are one in the same. Therefore, God gives Solomon his desire granting him
great knowledge and wisdom. Solomon then uses this knowledge and wisdom to begin God’s
purposes, namely starting the building process of this great “house.” It’s noteworthy that
Solomon mentions that no house or temple could hold God, that the temple serves as a place to
worship God and to offer sacrifices. As David did, so Solomon continues to build a good
relationship with a neighboring king, Hiram king of Tyre. Hiram was a gentile king who didn’t
know the Lord, yet because of his relationship with Solomon was able to say, “Blessed be the
LORD God of Israel.” Consider this for a moment, that one world power was more positively
disposed to God because of the work of Solomon. Consider how this might influence how others
in Tyre think about God and Israel. Hiram sends great craftsmen to begin the build, and the
construction and consequently explanation of this great temple is laid out before us.

Reflect- There are two main ideas worth reflecting on in these first chapters. First is this: Were
God to ask you the same question he asked Solomon, “Ask what I shall give you.” - what would
you say? A Christian’s life is primarily not about health and wealth, which God makes very clear
in commending Solomon’s answer. A Christian’s life is about whatever God is about, mainly
redemption. How might your answer contrast with Solomon’s? Why is that? Second, God uses
neighboring gentiles in helping to establish the most important religious structure of an ancient
Israel’s life, namely the temple. How might you today be predisposed to look inwardly, isolating
yourself from secular people? What might this Jewish-Gentile collaboration look like today?

Connect- The establishing of the temple is a fulfillment of God’s promise to David in 1
Chronicles 17:12 – In this promise, this covenant, we look to Christ.
I Chronicles 17:12 “He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever.”

- Rev. Joseph Bianco