2 Crônicas 1

2 Crônicas 1

SECOND CHRONICLES The Kingdom of Israel From Splendor to Disaster Splendor Disaster King Solomon of Judah 2 Chronicles 1-9 Successive Kings of Judah 2Chr 10-36 Kingdom United Kingdom Divided 2Chr 10:1-19 Rulers of the Southern Kingdom of Judah After the Split The Exile of Judah 2Chr 36:17-23 Inaugural 2Chr 1:1-17 Solomon's Temple 2Chr 2:1-7:22 Solomon's Glory 2Chr 8:1-9:31 Building of the Temple Decline & Destruction of the Temple Temple Destroyed ~40 Years ~393 Years Chart from Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission Click Chart from Charles Swindoll TIMELINE OF THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS & CHRONICLES 1107 1011 971 931 853 722 586 1Samuel 2 Samuel 1Kings 1Kings 2 Kings 31 1-4 5-10 11-20 21-24 1-11 12-22 1-17 18-25 1 Chronicles 10 1Chr 11-19 1Chr 20-29 2 Chronicles 1-9 2 Chronicles 10-20 2 Chronicles 21-36 Legend: B.C. dates at top of timeline are approximate. Note that 931BC marks the division of the Kingdom into Southern Tribes (Judah and Benjamin) and Ten Northern Tribes. To avoid confusion be aware that after the division of the Kingdom in 931BC, the Southern Kingdom is most often designated in Scripture as "Judah" and the Northern Kingdom as "Israel." Finally, note that 1 Chronicles 1-9 is not identified on the timeline because these chapters are records of genealogy. NOTE: THESE COMMENTS ARE OFFERED IN AN "AS IS" FORMAT - IF I HAVE TIME IN THE FUTURE, THEY WILL BE UPDATED. CLICK 2 CHRONICLES COMMENTARIES FOR MULTIPLE SERMONS AND COMMENTARIES 2 Chronicles 1:1 Now Solomon the son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and exalted him greatly. was strengthened (KJV): 1Ki 2:12,46 the Lord (KJV): Ge 21:22 39:2,21 Ex 3:12 1Ch 17:8 Mt 28:20 magnified (KJV): 1Ch 29:25 Php 2:9-11 See BELOW FOR BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR 1-2 CHRONICLES - adapted from Paul Apple's Bible Outlines Related Passage: 1 Kings 2:46 So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and fell upon him (ADONIJAH) so that he died. Thus the kingdom was established in the hands of Solomon. INTRODUCTION: Frederick Mabie: The idea of divine presence (as reflected in the Chronicler’s note that the Lord God was “with” Solomon, 2Ch 1:1) is an important theological motif that threads it way through the pages of Scripture. In the beginning of the creation of humankind, the presence of God was up front and center, before being marred and lost through sin. From the opening chapters of Genesis to the closing chapters of Revelation, the redemptive plan of God is working to reestablish the fullness of divine presence to his people. August Konkel: Wealth and wisdom seem to be a rare combination, as much as they are universally regarded as desirable. Not many in contemporary time would be generally acclaimed as having both qualities. Solomon is legendary in both respects. The Chronicler shows how the legend is true. . . Solomon is introduced as wise and wealthy, a result of God’s gifts to him. Wisdom in Chronicles is precisely for building the temple. Solomon is modeled after Bezalel (Dillard 1980: 296); it is only after seeking God at the altar built by Bezalel that Solomon is endowed with wisdom. In 2 Chronicles 1:12, God promises to grant Solomon riches, wealth, and honor; these are declared in 2Ch 1:14–17 and again after the account of temple building in 2Ch 9:25, 27–28. The wealth of Solomon frames the narrative to highlight Solomon’s wisdom as temple builder. The word ḥokmah (wisdom) is used for technical skill and life skills. The wisdom of technical skill is given to Bezalel to build the tabernacle (Exod 31:1–3; 35:30–35). This is the wisdom the Chronicler attributes to Solomon at Gibeon. . . Solomon is renowned for wealth and wisdom. The Chronicler is correct in affirming these virtues. Sadly, Solomon’s end was not as the beginning. Solomon’s life ended in disaster, and his kingdom divided at his death. Nevertheless, the kingdom promised to David endured. Martin Selman: The covenant theme in fact underlies Chronicles’ entire presentation of Solomon, which is much more concerned with Solomon’s significance in the purposes of God than listing the major events of Solomon’s life. It is for this reason that Chronicles has left out many important features found in the Kings account, such as Solomon’s personal details. Andrew Hill: Solomon’s request for wisdom serves as a foil for the opening chapter and provides the framework for the entire literary unit (chs. 1–9). Instead of “wealth, riches or honor,” Solomon entreats Yahweh for wisdom and knowledge to govern God’s people effectively (2Ch 1:11). Although he does not ask for these material blessings, God chooses to grant them to Solomon as a reward for his righteous prayer (2Ch 1:12). The report of Solomon’s wealth found in 1 Kings 10:26–29 are placed as bookends encasing the story of David’s successor and the building of the Jerusalem temple (cf. 2 Chron. 1:14–17; 9:25–28). The emphasis of the opening chapter on wisdom and wealth as divine gifts mean they do not die with King Solomon. This is a cue to the postexilic Hebrew community that they too might acquire similar gifts from God through prayer. J.A. Thompson: Above all else, this chapter reminds us that Solomon began his reign by seeking God (2Ch 1:5). Here, as elsewhere, it is not the specific facts of Solomon's reign but the principles behind it that the Chronicler stresses. The postexilic Jews, like Israel after the death of David, faced an uncertain future. The right place to begin was with God. His favor and direction alone could give health and peace to the nation. Once again, therefore, the king is portrayed in a favorable light not in order to obscure his sins but in order to make the point that the good things he did are what we should imitate. John Olley - The opening chapter of Solomon’s reign describes three different aspects of preparation that set the scene. - First comes affirmation of continuity of the worship established by Moses in the wilderness: Solomon and the nation’s leaders go to Gibeon to offer on the “bronze altar” of the “tent of meeting of God” (2 Chron. 1:2–6). - Second, there the Lord appears and promises to Solomon “wisdom and knowledge” together with “riches, possessions, and honor” that will be used mainly for the temple (vv. 7–13). - The final aspect of preparation is the riches acquired through trading that provide for the building and its ongoing worship (vv. 14–17). Now Solomon the son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD (Yahweh) his God (Elohim) was with him and exalted him greatly - This first chapter could be titled Solomon's good beginning. Notice the juxtaposition of Man's responsibility and God's sovereign provision. THOUGHT - Good beginnings even combined with wisdom are no guarantee of a good finish! Sadly we see this in the case of Solomon but in a number of the other kings in Judah. What's the lesson? Hebrews 12:1-2+ "let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith." How are you running? Frederick Mabie: The Chronicler begins his account of Solomon’s reign by emphasizing God’s favor on Solomon during the transition from Davidic to Solomonic rule in Israel. The theological notions of divine election, presence, and enablement are all succinctly noted within this opening statement of 2 Chronicles. In addition, this opening remark connects Solomon with the divine favor of the Davidic dynasty via similar statements of divine favor made concerning David (cf. 1Ch 11:9; 17:8). Andrew Hill: The Chronicler opens and closes his “photo album” of Solomon’s reign with a similar “snapshot”: the king firmly in control of the empire he has inherited from his father, David (2Ch 1:1; cf. 9:26). The expression “established himself firmly” (Hithpael of ḥzq) may be an oblique reference to the steps taken by Solomon to secure the throne after his accession (including “showing kindness” to political assets and “striking down” political liabilities, cf. 1 Kings 2:5–46). The introductory verse also affirms Solomon as God’s choice for governing his people. Much like his father, God is “with” Solomon (2 Chron. 1:1b; cf. 1 Chron. 11:9; 17:8). Raymond Dillard: “Exalted him.” The Chronicler twice uses the piel in reference to Solomon (2Ch 1:1; 1 Chr 29:25). The same verb is also used twice in reference to Joshua (Josh 3:7; 4:14), suggesting that the Chronicler has used the succession of Moses and Joshua as a paradigm for his account of the succession of David and Solomon. RON DANIEL As you recall, King David has died, leaving Solomon as king, with a charge to him and the people that they build the temple of God. There had been a problem with Solomon receiving the crown. We saw in the book of 1Kings that when David was dying of old age, another one of his sons tried to ascend to the throne. Ad-o-nee-YAH, the son of Khag-GHEETH, got some of David's key men to support him. Fortunately, Solomon was crowned king before David's death, and the new king had the key players in the rebellion put to death (1Kings 2). Now, Solomon has established himself securely in the kingdom. Exalted By God -- Not only was Solomon secure politically, but the Lord was exalting him greatly. The word "exalt" means, "to promote, to grow, to magnify and make great." In the Scripture, we see that exalting ourselves is always a negative thing (Exo. 9:17; 1Kings 1:5; etc.). But when the Lord exalts us, it is a wonderful thing (Josh. 3:7; Psa. 75:7; etc.) When the disciples were continually arguing amongst themselves as to which of them was the greatest, Jesus said, Mark 9:35 ..."If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." When you strive to exalt yourself, you will end up diminished. But, as James said, James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. Solomon's brother Ad-o-nee-YAH had tried to exalt himself, and was cast down. It was the Lord who exalted Solomon, and so he was magnified and made great. Matthew Henry Notes: Book: II Chronicles This book begins with the reign of Solomon and the building of the temple, and continues the history of the kings of Judah thenceforward to the captivity and so concludes with the fall of that illustrious monarchy and the destruction of the temple. That monarchy of the house of David, as it was prior in time, so it was superior in worth and dignity to all those four celebrated ones of which Nebuchadnezzar dreamed. The Babylonian monarchy I reckon to begin in Nebuchadnezzar himself-Thou art that head of gold, and that lasted but about seventy years; The Persian monarchy, in several families, about 130; the Grecian, in their several branches, about 300; and 300 more went far with the Roman. But as I reckon David a greater hero than any of the founders of those monarchies, and Solomon a more magnificent prince than any of those that were the glories of them, so the succession was kept up in a lineal descent throughout the whole monarchy, which continued considerable between 400 and 500 years, and, after a long eclipse, shone forth again in the kingdom of the Messiah, of the increase of whose government and peace there shall be no end. This history of the Jewish monarchy, as it is more authentic, so it is more entertaining and more instructive, than the histories of any of those monarchies. We had the story of the house of David before, in the first and second books of Kings, intermixed with that of the kings of Israel, which there took more room than that of Judah; but here we have it entire. Much is repeated here which we had before, yet many of the passages of the story are enlarged upon, and divers added, which we had not before, especially relating to the affairs of religion; for it is a church-history, and it is written for our learning, to let nations and families know that then, and then only, they can expect to prosper, when they keep in the way of their duty to God: for all along the good kings prospered and the wicked kings suffered. The peaceable reign of Solomon we have (2Ch 1-9), the blemished reign of Rehoboam (ch. 10-12), the short but busy reign of Abijah (ch. 13), the long and happy reign of Asa (ch. 14-16), the pious and prosperous reign of Jehoshaphat (ch. 17-20), the impious and infamous reigns of Jehoram and Ahaziah (ch. 21-22), the unsteady reigns of Joash and Amaziah (ch. 24, 25), the long and prosperous reign of Uzziah (ch. 26), the regular reign of Jotham (ch. 27), the profane and wicked reign of Ahaz (ch. 28), the gracious glorious reign of Hezekiah (ch. 29-32), the wicked reigns of Manasseh and Amon (ch. 33), the reforming reign of Josiah (ch. 34, 35), the ruining reigns of his sons (ch. 36). Put all these together, and the truth of that word of God will appear, Those that honour me I will honour, but those that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. The learned Mr. Whiston, in his chronology, suggests that the historical books which were written after the captivity (namely, the two books of Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah) have more mistakes in names and numbers than all the books of the Old Testament besides, through the carelessness of transcribers: but, though that should be allowed, the things are so very minute that we may be confident the foundation of God stands sure notwithstanding. Chapter: 1 In the close of the foregoing book we read how God magnified Solomon and Israel obeyed him; God and Israel concurred to honour him. Now here we have an account, I. How he honoured God by sacrifice (2Ch 1:1-6) and by prayer (2Ch 1:7-12). II. How he honoured Israel by increasing their strength, wealth, and trade (2Ch 1:13-17). Verses: 2Ch 1:1-12 Here is, I. Solomon's great prosperity, 2Chr 1:1. Though he had a contested title, yet, God being with him, he was strengthened in his kingdom; his heart and hands were strengthened, and his interest in the people. God's presence will be our strength. II. His great piety and devotion. His father was a prophet, a psalmist, and kept mostly to the ark; but Solomon, having read much in his Bible concerning the tabernacle which Moses built and the altars there, paid more respect to them than, it should seem, David had done. Both did well, and let neither be censured. If the zeal of one be carried out most to one instance of religion, and of another to some other instance, let them not judge nor despise each other. 1. All his great men must thus far be good men that they must join with him in worshipping God. He spoke to the captains and judges, the governors and chief of the fathers, to go with him to Gibeon, 2Chr 1:2, 3. Authority and interest are well bestowed on those that will thus use them for the glory of God, and the promoting of religion. It is our duty to engage all with whom we have influence in the solemnities of religion, and it is very desirable to have many join with us in those solemnities-the more the better; it is the more like heaven. Solomon began his reign with this public pious visit to God's altar, and it was a very good omen. Magistrates are then likely to do well for themselves and their people when they thus take God along with them at their setting out. 2. He offered abundance of sacrifices to God there (2Chr 1:6): 1000 burnt-offerings, and perhaps a greater number of peace-offerings, on which he and his company feasted before the Lord. Where God sows plentifully he expects to reap accordingly. His father David had left him flocks and herds in abundance (1 Chr. 27:29, 31), and thus he gave God his dues out of them. The ark was at Jerusalem (2Chr 1:4), but the altar was at Gibeon (2Chr 1:5), and thither he brought his sacrifices; for it is the altar that sanctifieth every gift. 3. He prayed a good prayer to God: this, with the answer to it, we had before, 1 Ki. 3:5, etc. (1.) God bade him ask what he would; not only that he might put him in the right way of obtaining the favours that were intended him (Ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full), but that he might try him, how he stood affected, and might discover what was in his heart. Men's characters appear in their choices and desires. What wouldst thou have? tries a man as much as, What wouldst thou do? Thus God tried whether Solomon was one of the children of this world, that say, Who will show us any good, or of the children of light, that say, Lord, lift up the light of thy countenance upon us. As we choose we shall have, and that is likely to be our portion to which we give the preference, whether the wealth and pleasure of this world or spiritual riches or delights. (2.) Like a genuine son of David, he chose spiritual blessings rather than temporal. His petition here is, Give me wisdom and knowledge. He owns those to be desirable gifts, and God to be the giver of them, Prov. 2:6. God gave the faculty of understanding, and to him we must apply for the furniture of it. Two things are here pleaded which we had not in Kings:- {1.} Thou hast made me reign in my father's stead, 2Chr 1:8. "Lord, thou hast put me into this place, and therefore I can in faith ask of thee grace to enable me to do the duty of it.'' What service we have reason to believe God calls us to we have reason to hope he will qualify us for. But that is not all. "Lord, thou hast put me into this place in the stead of David, the great and good man that filled it up so well; therefore give me wisdom, that Israel may not suffer damage by the change. Must I reign in my father's stead? Lord, give me my father's spirit.'' Note, The eminency of those that went before us, and the obligation that lies upon us to keep up and carry on the good work they were engaged in, should provoke us to a gracious emulation, and quicken our prayers to God for wisdom and grace, that we may do the work of God in our day as faithfully and well as they did in theirs. {2.} Let thy promise to David my father be established, 2Chr 1:9. He means the promise of concerning his successor. "In performance of that promise, Lord, give me wisdom.'' We do not find that wisdom was any of the things promised, but it was necessary in order to the accomplishment of what was promised, 2 Sa. 7:13-15. The promise was, He shall build a house for my name, I will establish his throne, he shall be my son, and my mercy shall not depart from him. "Now, Lord, unless thou give me wisdom, thy house will not be built, nor my throne established; I shall behave in a manner unbecoming my relation to thee as a Father, shall forfeit thy mercy, and fool it away; therefore, Lord, give me wisdom.'' Note, First, God's promises are our best pleas in prayer. Remember thy word unto thy servant. Secondly, Children may take the comfort of the promises of that covenant which their parents, in their baptism, laid claim to, and took hold of, for them. Thirdly, The best way to obtain the benefit of the promises and privileges of the covenant is to be earnest in prayer with God for wisdom and grace to do the duties of it. 4. He received a gracious answer to this prayer, 2Chr 1:11, 12. (1.) God gave him the wisdom that he asked for because he asked for it. Wisdom is a gift that God gives as freely and liberally as any gift to those that value it, and wrestle for it; and will resolve to make use of it; and he upbraids not the poor petitioners with their folly, James 1:5. God's grace shall never be wanting to those who sincerely desire to know and do their duty. (2.) God gave him the wealth and honour which he did not ask for because he asked not for them. Those that pursue present things most earnestly are most likely to miss of them; while those that refer themselves to the providence of God, if they have not the most of those things, have the most comfort in them. Those that make this world their end come short of the other and are disappointed in this too; but those that make the other world their end shall not only obtain that, and full satisfaction in it, but shall enjoy as much as is convenient of this world in their way. QUESTION - Who was Solomon in the Bible? ANSWER - Solomon was the third and last king of the united kingdom of Israel, following King Saul and King David. He was the son of David and Bathsheba, the former wife of Uriah the Hittite whom David had killed to hide his adultery with Bathsheba while her husband was on the battle front. Solomon wrote the Song of Solomon, the book of Ecclesiastes, and much of the book of Proverbs. His authorship of Ecclesiastes is contested by some, but Solomon is the only “son of David” to be “king over Israel” (not just Judah) “in Jerusalem” (Ecclesiastes 1:1, 12), and many of the descriptions of the author fit Solomon perfectly. Solomon reigned for 40 years (1 Kings 11:42). What are the highlights of Solomon’s life? When he ascended to the throne, he sought after God, and God gave him opportunity to ask for whatever he wanted. Solomon humbly acknowledged his inability to rule well and unselfishly asked God for the wisdom he would need to rule God’s people justly. God gave him wisdom and wealth besides (1 Kings 3:4–15; 10:27). In fact, "King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth" (1 Kings 10:23). God also gave Solomon peace on all sides during most of his reign (1 Kings 4:20–25). One common illustration of Solomon’s wisdom is his judging a dispute over the identity of the true mother of an infant child (1 Kings 3:16-28). Solomon proposed splitting the living child in half, knowing that the true mother would prefer to lose her son to another woman than to have him killed. Solomon was not only wise in his rule but had great general wisdom as well. His wisdom was renowned in his day. The Queen of Sheba traveled 1,200 miles to verify the rumors of his wisdom and grandeur (1 Kings 10). "Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed" (1 Kings 10:3–5). Solomon proved not only to be knowledgeable but to have put his wisdom into action in the way his kingdom functioned. Solomon wrote many proverbs and songs (1 Kings 4:32) and completed many building projects (1 Kings 7:1–12; 9:15–23). Solomon also built a fleet of ships and acquired tons of gold from Ophir with Hiram, king of Tyre, as a partner (1 Kings 9:26–28; 10:11, 22). Perhaps Solomon’s most important building project was completing the Jewish temple per the instructions and provisions of his father, David (1 Kings 6; 1 Chronicles 22). Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, many of them foreigners who led him into public idolatry in his old age, greatly angering God (1 Kings 11:1–13). First Kings 11:9–10 records, "The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD’s command." God told Solomon that he would remove the kingdom from him, but, for the sake of David, would not do so during Solomon’s lifetime. He also promised not to tear the whole kingdom away. In the meantime, God raised up adversaries against Solomon who caused trouble the remainder of Solomon’s life (1 Kings 11:14–25). Jeroboam, who would become the first king of Israel, also began to rebel against Solomon, but fled (1 Kings 11:26–40). The kingdom was divided under Rehoboam, Solomon’s son (1 Kings 12). There are many lessons we can learn from the life of Solomon. First, when we seek God with all of our heart, He will be found (1 Kings 3:3–7). Second, those who honor God will be honored by Him (1 Kings 3:11–13; 1 Samuel 2:30). Third, God will equip us to accomplish the tasks He calls us to if we will rely on Him (1 Kings 3; Romans 12:3–8; 2 Peter 1:3). Fourth, the spiritual life is a marathon, not a sprint. A good start is not always enough to finish well (1 Kings 3; 11). Fifth, we can sincerely ask God to incline our hearts toward Him (1 Kings 8:57–58), but we will wander off the path of righteousness if we choose to violate His revealed Word. Sixth, those closest to us will affect our spiritual lives (Exodus 34:16; 1 Kings 11:1–8; Daniel 1; 3; 1 Corinthians 15:33), and we must therefore be very careful of the company we keep. Seventh, life lived apart from God will be meaningless, regardless of education, fulfilled goals, the greatest of pleasures, and the greatest abundance of wealth (Ecclesiastes 1:2). GotQuestions.org Related Resources: Why did God allow Solomon to have 1,000 wives and concubines? | GotQuestions.org Why didn’t Solomon follow his own advice on women? | GotQuestions.org Was Solomon saved? | GotQuestions.org 2 Chronicles 1:2 Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and to the judges and to every leader in all Israel, the heads of the fathers’ households. Then Solomon (KJV): This seems to have taken place a short time after David's decease, and, according to some, in the second year of Solomon's reign; when being established in his kingdom, he convened his chief men, and spake to them concerning the solemn sacrifice which he purposed to offer to God. to the captains (KJV): 2Ch 29:20 30:2 34:29,30 1Ch 13:1 15:3 27:1 28:1 29:1 the chief (KJV): 1Ch 15:12 24:4,31 Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and to the judges and to every leader in all Israel, the heads of the fathers’ households. Andrew Hill: The reference to “all Israel” (2Ch 1:2) hearkens back to the unity of God’s people under King David as Israel’s divinely appointed leader (cf. 1 Chron. 28:4; 29:21, 23, 25). Bob Utley on the judges" These were probably the same judges appointed by David in 1 Chr. 23:4; 26:29. They would have been Levites. This office is continued in 2 Chr. 19:5-6 under Jehoshaphat. This office goes back to Moses' appointing judge helpers during the wilderness wandering period (cf. Exod. 18:13-27). Frederick Mabie: Solomon’s speech to all levels of the Israelite leadership emphasizes the breadth of unity and oneness that shapes this pilgrimage to Gibeon by the Israelite community. A gathering of a similar group of individuals was organized by David to announce that Solomon would build the temple for the Lord (1Ch 28:1–8) as well as the procession that accompanied David in moving the ark of the covenant from Kiriath Jearim to Jerusalem (1Ch 13 and 15). Raymond Dillard: In Kings Solomon’s visit to the high place at Gibeon is presented essentially as an act of private devotion; the Chronicler has recorded instead a national cultic assembly in which representatives of “all Israel” assemble in Jerusalem and journey to the high place. The Chronicler had earlier shown the same concern to introduce “all Israel” into the record of David’s reign (1 Chr 11:4 // 2 Sam 5:6; 1 Chr 11–12); the unity and fullness of the people continue through the reign of Solomon. FROM RON DANIEL 2Chr 1:2-4 Where Should We Sacrifice? Solomon took a huge group of people with him to offer sacrifices to the Lord. Question: Where should he do this? There were three options. 1) At Gibeon, six miles away, was the tent of meeting - the same one that Moses had made in the book of Exodus. Remember that God judged Shiloh (Jer. 7:12) for the sin of the priests and the people. In one day, the priests died and the ark was stolen by the Philistines (1Sam. 4). The glory had departed (1Sam. 4:21) from the tabernacle. After a brief time at Nob (1Sam. 21), the tabernacle was finally put in Gibeon (1Chron. 16:39), where it remained through the reign of David, and into the early days of Solomon's reign. This was where the sacrifices had been offered since those days. But it was up on a high place, which was not pleasing to God, because it followed the model of the Canaanite offerings. 2) The second option for Solomon was right there at the tent in Jerusalem which housed the ark. The day that David had the ark brought back from Keer-YATH Yeh-aw-REEM, sacrifices had been offered there. 1Chr. 16:1 And they brought in the ark of God and placed it inside the tent which David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. But then David... 1Chr. 16:37 ...left Asaph and his relatives there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required; They did not offer sacrifices at this location afterwards, for we read, 1Chr. 6:49 But Aaron and his sons offered on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. 3) The third option was just up the hill on the east side of Jerusalem. Most recently, David had been sacrificing up there on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. This was because the judgment of God was stopped at this location. 1Chr. 21:28-22:1 At that time, when David saw that the LORD had answered him on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he offered sacrifice there. For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were in the high place at Gibeon at that time. But David could not go before it to inquire of God, for he was terrified by the sword of the angel of the LORD. Then David said, "This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel." David was then afraid to go to the high place at Gibeon. So which location would Solomon choose? The altar of sacrifice in front of the tent of meeting at Gibeon, which was on a high place; the tent in Jerusalem before the ark of the covenant; or the place where David said was the location of the altar for Israel? 1Kings 3:2-4 The people were still sacrificing on the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days. Now Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place...This makes me think of people's choice of churches today. - There is the high place at Gibeon, the church "that we've always gone to, even though there are aspects that are clearly not pleasing to God." - There is the tent in Jerusalem, which is the church that is missing a lot of stuff, but it's a happy place with all the praise and music going on." - Then there is the threshing floor. A place that has no "bells or whistles," but it's clearly the place that God has met me most recently, and so this is where I will worship. Which one is the right place to go? Let me tell you: There is no one perfect church that is perfectly pleasing to God. You can't find the perfect church, it's impossible. But God's people still need to choose where they will worship, because you can't forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Heb. 10:25) either. And so my counsel is, make the best choice you can, pick a place, and worship the Lord. I believe that God will meet you there. 2 Chronicles 1:3 Then Solomon and all the assembly with him went to the high place which was at Gibeon, for God’s tent of meeting was there, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness. Gibeon (KJV): 1Ki 3:4-15 1Ch 16:39 21:29 the tabernacle (KJV): Ex 26:1-37 40:2,34 Lev 1:1 the servant (KJV): De 34:5 Hill of Gibeon as seen from nearby mosque Nebi Samwil (Parsons Bible Pictures) Then Solomon and all the assembly with him went to the high place (bamah) which was at Gibeon, for God’s tent of meeting was there, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness - In this context "high place" does not have the evil implications of high places mentioned later in Israel's history, for those places became sites of flagrant idolatry and gross immorality. Bob