Preparing Context
Gathering the passage
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Book
World Stage
Structure
Historical Setting
Preparing Context
Gathering the passage
Loading the book, timeline, map, and study notes.
Book
World Stage
Structure
Historical Setting
2 Chronicles / Question
Question source
2 Chronicles
At Gibeon God told Solomon, “Ask what I shall give thee.” Solomon asked for “wisdom and knowledge” to lead and judge the people. God granted that request and also gave him riches, wealth, and honor (2 Chronicles 1:7-12).
In 2 Chronicles 1:7, the narrative turns to a nighttime moment when God appears to Solomon and directly invites him to make a request. God’s words are open-ended and personal: Solomon is told to ask what God should give him. This verse functions as the trigger for the larger scene that follows in 2 Chronicles 1, where Solomon’s early reign is framed around worship and divine response.
This verse presents God as the initiator: God appears to Solomon at night and speaks directly to him. The scene is framed as a private divine encounter following earlier public events, and it turns on a simple but weighty invitation: Solomon may state what he wants God to give.
A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.
Start with 2 Chronicles 1:7-12, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
7In that night did God appear to Solomon, and said to him, Ask what I shall give you.
8Solomon said to God, You have showed great lovingkindness to David my father, and have made me king in his place.
9Now, Yahweh God, let your promise to David my father be established; for you have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.
10Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this your people, that is so great?
11God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of those who hate you, neither yet have asked long life; but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king:
12wisdom and knowledge is granted to you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had who have been before you; neither shall there any after you have the like.