I get excited reading about Solomon. I love his wise sayings (Proverbs), his philosophical, end-of-life journal (Ecclesiastes), his poem on love (Song of Solomon), and even his biographical info recorded in the history books (Kings and Chronicles). The guy was brilliant, filled with all kinds of knowledge…and wisdom. His accomplishments—admirable. His wealth—astronomical. His sayings—top notch.

The guy knew more about life than many of us will ever know. He built vineyards and gardens, parks and palaces (plural), pools and farms. He even built the temple of the Lord. Now how many people can say that?

Chapters 2 thru 5 of Second Chronicles are all about that—Solomon building the temple. But the first chapter is about the man. It’s about his worship, his wisdom, his wealth. It’s about how God shows favor to a man, just because He wants to. It’s about how God was with Solomon and made him exceedingly great. How do I know this?

Because it’s written as a summary statement in the first verse.

• In verses 2-6, we see his worship. Solomon and all the head honchos go to Gibeon to worship at the ol’ Tabernacle, the portable structure that was built by Moses during the Exodus. Solomon goes all out in his worship, with a 1000 burnt offerings.

• In verses 7-13, we see his wisdom. Solomon prays to God and asks for wisdom to rule God’s people well. God heartily grants him wisdom. (Would God do the same for us? I think so.)

• In verses 14-17, we see his wealth. God had told Solomon that He would also grant him riches, possessions, and honor, which sure enough, God does. Solomon obtains chariots, horsemen, silver, gold, and cedar.

Great worship, great wisdom, great wealth. This is the summary of the man, the king, Solomon. I hope it is my summary as well.

• This author loves names and numbers. He is detailed, meticulous, thorough, etc.
• When you compare Chronicles to the books of Samuel or Kings, you will see they are complementary, but not identical. Sometimes, the chronicler leaves out details in this account that are included in the others; other times, he includes details that are not accounted for in the other books.
• Going quickly through the book helps you see it as a whole. It also helps you not get bogged down in the details you’ll never remember (like names of people and places).
• Due to the repetitious writing style, it’s easy to pick up on breaks in the pattern, thus knowing what details are noteworthy.
• I hope you can join us for 2 Chronicles.

In 28:1, we see the gathering of a huge group of leaders. We’re talking about a major news event. All the big wigs, in one city, at one gathering. The occasion: plans for the new temple, a charge to remember the Lord’s commandments, and the passing of the torch to David’s son, Solomon.

Solomon is not chosen or appointed by David. David had many other sons he could have chosen. But Solomon was chosen by God (see 1 Chronicles 22:9, 28:6, 29:1). This choosing of leaders by God makes you think of 1 Samuel 2:7, Psalm 75:7, and Daniel 2:21–the Lord determines kings, their rising and their falling.

As David passes the torch to his son, the new, God-appointed king, he charges Solomon: “Know the God of your father, serve him with an undivided heart and a willing mind; Be strong and set to work; Be strong, stand firm; be fearless, be dauntless, because Yahweh God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you before you have finished all the work to be done for the house of Yahweh.” He then adds something to the effect, “and just in case you’re still worried, the people have your back too.” Now that, is a charge. Be strong, stand firm, be fearless, be dauntless!

Shifting gears to the freewill offerings, both of David and of the people, it must be recognized that Jehiel, Shelemoth, Zetham, and Joel must be men of utmost integrity. They are receiving offerings of great magnitude, all kinds of precious treasures, and not once do we hear mention of greed, envy, misuse, or abuse of these materials. These men are the type of men I would want on my staff–be it for a church, a business, a team, or as friends. Lord, give us more men like this.

And finally, shifting one more time, to the words of praise by David, we see this king, even in his old age, breaking out in spontaneous worship, still humble, still excited, still in love with his God. Just read 29:10-19. Read it again. And again. Such a good ending to this first half of the book of Chronicles.

Pretty straightforward information in these three chapters.

In chapter 25, we cover the liturgical duties and those who performed them. In chapter 26, we learn who serves as gate keepers, treasury overseers, scribes, judges, and border patrol. In chapter 27, we see how the rest of the military and civil society were organized.

Two things that stuck out to me:

1) Obed-Edom is specially noted as being blessed by God because he had eight sons. When you think about it, that is quite a blessing, and quite a rarity. Likewise these men, his sons and grandsons, “were well fitted for their task.” I hope I’m well fitted for my task. I hope you are well-fitted for yours.

2) These chapters show us that government and the organization of civil society is a necessary thing. It is as old as man himself. And society will always need order and leaders. Let’s just pray that our current leaders come to know the Lord…and that those who know the Lord will be made leaders, as God sees fit.

Stark differences between David and Solomon:

David vs. Solomon

• War vs. Peace
• Old vs. Young
• Restless vs. Restful
• Experienced vs. Green
• Conqueror vs. Facilitator

23:30-31: They give praise and thanksgiving to the Lord every morning and every evening. May we do the same. Also, I think there’s something to be said for a pattern in life: rest 1 of every 7 days, an extra 1 day for every 30 days, and a week every fourth month. I think God set it up this way because He knows it’s good for our souls.

If you haven’t noticed yet, this Chronicler loves names and he loves numbers.

Insight #1: David sends a delegation to show sympathy for a deceased Ammonite king. The envoy is treated harshly by the Ammonites, so David says, “It’s on!”

He sends Joab, his commander out, and Joab puts a masterful battle strategy in place. Then he speaks these words, “Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight.” Which reminds me of Proverbs…a book that, ironically, was written after this account in Chronicles.The Proverb states, “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.”

So, in essence, you make the wisest plans you can make. Then God will do His thing.

Insight #2: Chapter 20 gives an account of David’s men killing giants. Everyone knows David killed a giant, but not everyone knows his followers/army could too. Tough dudes.

Insight #3: In chapter 21, God plays the role of genie…sort of. David screws up and calls for a census, which is against the rules established in the law. God tells David He will punish him, but he is allowed to choose the punishment. Three years, three months, or three days. Punishment will come from the hand of men; or it will come from the hand of God. David wisely chooses the punishment of shortest duration, the option that comes from the hand of God. Why? Because he knows the Lord is merciful. “Let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for His mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”

A good principle of Bible study is to correlate passages. Here’s what I mean:

1 Chronicles 16:7-22   === Psalm 105:1-15

1 Chronicles 16:23-33 === Psalm 96:1-13

1 Chronicles 16:34-36 === Psalm 106:1,47,48

David has quite the song of thanksgiving in chapter 16, as seen above. He also has quite the prayer in chapter 17. From these two chapters, it’s easy to see why God calls him a man after his own heart. He’s grateful, and he’s humble, even after all his military victories and years of leadership.

I must say I love 17:16. “Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” I ask that same question…quite often. It blows me away when I sit before the Lord and reflect on my life, just how far He’s brought me, just how much He’s blessed me. And He doesn’t have to. That’s the crazy part. He is not a debtor to me in any way. But I am totally indebted to Him. Yet, He blesses.

I guess I’ll close with this. I hope when my life is said and done, that people will say of me what they said of David: “The Lord gave victory to David/Omer wherever he went.”