2 Chronicles – Chapter 1

Old Testament17 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him, and magnified him to a high degree." — so begins 2 Chronicles 1. The chapter centers on Solomon, David and Moses. Across its 17 verses, two threads run through the text: God's kingdom and kingship and wisdom for daily living. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him, and magnified him to a high degree.

2And Solomon gave orders to all Israel, to the captains of thousands, and of hundreds, and to the rulers, and to the judges of all Israel, and the heads of the families:

3And he went with all the multitude to the high place of Gabaon, where was the tabernacle of the covenant of the Lord, which Moses the servant of God made, in the wilderness.

4For David had brought the ark of God from Cariathiarim to the place, which he had prepared for it, and where he had pitched a tabernacle for it, that is, in Jerusalem.

5And the altar of brass, which Beseleel the son of Uri the son of Hur had made, was there before the tabernacle of the Lord: and Solomon and all the assembly sought it:

6And Solomon went up thither to the brazen altar, before the tabernacle of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up on it a thousand victims.

7And behold that night God appeared to him, saying: Ask what thou wilt that I should give thee.

8And Solomon said to God: Thou hast shewn great kindness to my father David: and hast made me king in his stead.

9Now therefore, O Lord God, let thy word be fulfilled, which thou hast promised to David my father: for thou hast made me king over thy great people, which is as innumerable as the dust of the earth.

10Give me wisdom and knowledge that I may come in and go out before thy people: for who can worthily judge this thy people, which is so great?

11And God said to Solomon: Because this choice hath pleased thy heart, and thou hast not asked riches, and wealth, and glory, nor the lives of them that hate thee, nor many days of life: but hast asked wisdom and knowledge, to be able to judge my people, over which I have made thee king,

12Wisdom and knowledge are granted to thee: and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and glory, so that none of the kings before thee, nor after thee, shall be like thee.

13Then Solomon came from the high place of Gabaon to Jerusalem before the tabernacle of the covenant, and reigned over Israel.

14And he gathered to himself chariots and horsemen, and he had a thousand four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen: and he placed them in the cities of the chariots, and with the king in Jerusalem.

15And the king made silver and gold to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar trees as sycamores, which grow in the plains in great multitude.

16And there were horses brought him from Egypt, and from Coa by the king's merchants, who went, and bought at a price,

17A chariot of four horses for six hundred pieces of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty: in like manner market was made in all the kingdoms of the Hethites, and of the kings of Syria.

Important Verses in 2 Chronicles 1

And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him, and magnified him to a high degree.

2 Chronicles 1:1

And Solomon went up thither to the brazen altar, before the tabernacle of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up on it a thousand victims.

2 Chronicles 1:6

And God said to Solomon: Because this choice hath pleased thy heart, and thou hast not asked riches, and wealth, and glory, nor the lives of them that hate thee, nor many days of life: but hast asked wisdom and knowledge, to be able to judge my people, over which I have made thee king,

2 Chronicles 1:11

A chariot of four horses for six hundred pieces of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty: in like manner market was made in all the kingdoms of the Hethites, and of the kings of Syria.

2 Chronicles 1:17

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, 2 Chronicles was written with the restored community, urged to keep worship pure and hearts humble in view. Chapter 1 of 36 opens the book and sets the stage for everything that follows. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 17 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Solomon, David and Moses, the principal figures named in this chapter. The chapter begins: "And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him, and magnified him to a…" The final verse reads: "A chariot of four horses for six hundred pieces of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty: in like manner market…" The wider setting of 2 Chronicles is this: Second Chronicles spans from Solomon's Temple to the decree of Cyrus allowing the exiles to return home. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Ezra ('the Chronicler')

When It Was Written

After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of 2 Chronicles 1 presents a concrete episode in the history of Temple worship and Judah's kings. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him, and magnified him to a high degree." The passage repeatedly touches on God's kingdom and kingship.

Catholic exegesis reads 2 Chronicles 1 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Temple liturgy prefigures the Church's worship (CIC 1093). St. Jerome and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 2683).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.

People in This Chapter

Solomon7 mentionsDavid4 mentionsMoses1 mention

Reflection for Today

The opening section of 2 Chronicles—Chapter 1 of 36—opens a particular moment in the story of Temple worship and Judah's kings.

According to Catholic teaching, the Temple liturgy prefigures the Church's worship (CIC 1093). This chapter especially highlights the role of the sacraments in sanctification, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 1265).

Let 2 Chronicles Chapter 1 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2 Chronicles Chapter 1 about?

2 Chronicles 1 contains 17 verses. It opens with "And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him, and magnified him to a…" and closes with "A chariot of four horses for six hundred pieces of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty: in like manner market…". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in 2 Chronicles 1?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him, and magnified him to a high degree." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 2 Chronicles Chapter 1?

This chapter mentions Solomon, David, Moses.

Who wrote 2 Chronicles and when?

Traditionally attributed to Ezra ('the Chronicler'). After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

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