SUMMARY
The reign of Solomon is introduced by lifting up his gift of wisdomWisdom encompasses the qualities of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The Old Testament book of Proverbs, which sometimes invokes a Woman as the personification of Wisdom, is a collection of aphorisms and moral teachings. Along with other biblical passages, it teaches, "The fear of the... and his vast wealth.
ANALYSIS
The initial notice that “God was with” Solomon (v. 1) provides continuity with 1 Chronicles by answering David’s prayer for his son (1 Chronicles 28:20). Of greater significance, however, is Solomon’s initial act after having “established himself in his kingdom.” By leading a procession of “all Israel” for sacrificeSacrifice is commonly understood as the practice of offering or giving up something as a sign of worship, commitment, or obedience. In the Old Testament grain, wine, or animals are used as sacrifice. In some New Testament writings Jesus' death on the cross as the... at Gibeon, the only legitimate site before the building of the templeThe Jerusalem temple, unlike the tabernacle, was a permanent structure, although (like the tabernacle) it was a place of worship and religious activity. On one occasion Jesus felt such activity was unacceptable and, as reported in all four Gospels, drove from the temple those engaged..., Solomon begins his reign with an act of worship, as had his father before him (1 Chronicles 13). The granting of Solomon’s prayer for wisdom (vv. 10-12) fulfills another of David’s prayers for his son (1 Chronicles 22:12) and, together with the references to Solomon’s wisdom and wealth in 2 Chronicles 8:17-9:31, frames the reign of Solomon and the construction of the temple.
