Sermon Tone Analysis

A Continuation of 1 Chronicles

Despite the break between 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles, the account of Solomon basically continues the story of David.

The reigns of the two kings are really a single unit, as Solomon’s involvement in David’s temple preparations has illustrated (1 Chr.

22, 28–29).

Despite the break between 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles, the account of Solomon basically continues the story of David.

The reigns of the two kings are really a single unit, as Solomon’s involvement in David’s temple preparations has illustrated (, ).

“David son of Jesse was king over all Israel.

The length of his reign over Israel was forty years; he reigned in Hebron for seven years and in Jerusalem for thirty-three.

He died at a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor, and his son Solomon became king in his place.

As for the events of King David’s reign, from beginning to end, note that they are written in the Events of the Seer Samuel, the Events of the Prophet Nathan, and the Events of the Seer Gad, along with all his reign, his might, and the incidents that affected him and Israel and all the kingdoms of the surrounding lands.”

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26 David son of Jesse was king over all Israel.

27 The length of his reign over Israel was forty years; he reigned in Hebron for seven years and in Jerusalem for thirty-three.

28 He died at a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor, and his son Solomon became king in his place.

29 As for the events of King David’s reign, from beginning to end, note that they are written in the Events of the Seer Samuel, the Events of the Prophet Nathan, and the Events of the Seer Gad, 30 along with all his reign, his might, and the incidents that affected him and Israel and all the kingdoms of the surrounding lands.

Despite the break between 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles, the account of Solomon basically continues the story of David.

The reigns of the two kings are really a single unit, as Solomon’s involvement in David’s temple preparations has illustrated (, ).

Despite the break between 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles, the account of Solomon basically continues the story of David.

The reigns of the two kings are really a single unit, as Solomon’s involvement in David’s temple preparations has illustrated (, ).

There are some themes that continue into Solomon’s reign in 2 Chronicles:

The sense of partnership continues here, particularly in several passages unique to Chronicles where David is linked with Solomon (e.g.

2:3, 7; 3:1; 6:42; 7:10; 8:14).

Inquiring of God - we see this right away in the book as Solomon worships God…

The way the Davidic covenant is developed (), with Solomon fulfilling the next stage of God’s promises by ascending David’s throne and building the temple (especially ; cf. also 1:8–9; 5:4–11; 6:14–17; 7:17–18).

The covenant theme in fact underlies Chronicles’ entire presentation of Solomon.

David is STILL a key figure of the rest of the Chronicler’s history.

He has been lifted up as the standard for kingship and for trust in the LORD.

He is mentioned over 70 times in 2 Chronicles.

the way the Davidic covenant is developed (), with Solomon fulfilling the first stage of God’s promises by ascending David’s throne and building the temple (especially ; cf. also 1:8–9; 5:4–11; 6:14–17; 7:17–18).

The covenant theme in fact underlies Chronicles’ entire presentation of Solomon

God is the emphasis - The building of His temple and His fulfilling the promises he gave to David take center stage.

The Chronicler 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.

Included in the omissions are not only the negative aspects like his polygamy, his idolatry, and his military disasters, but also many of the good things that he did as king.

The first section of 2 Chronicles (chs 1-9) are about Solomon and His building of the temple.

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It is for this reason that Chronicles has left out many important features found in the Kings account, such as Solomon’s personal details.

Included in the omissions are not only the negative aspects like his polygamy, his idolatry, and his military disasters

At the close of 1 Chronicles (9:23–30) Solomon is presented as sitting on the Lord’s throne as king in place of David, his father, while the officials, the warriors, and King David’s sons pledged submission to him.

We are told that Solomon “established himself firmly”/strengthened his hold” on the throne over all Israel.

The expression translated “established himself firmly” frequently is found where the new king assumed power after a time of difficulty (; ; ; ).

Despite problems at the time of his accession, Solomon experienced help from the Lord (cf.

, ; ).

Then as we come to , we are told that Solomon “established himself firmly”/strengthened his hold” on the throne over all Israel.

The expression translated “established himself firmly” frequently is found where the new king assumed power after a time of difficulty (; ; ; ).

Despite problems at the time of his accession, Solomon experienced help from the Lord (cf.

, ; ).

Verse one tells us that “the LORD his God was with him and highly exalted him.”

(v1)

At the close of 1 Chronicles (9:23–30) Solomon is presented as sitting on the Lord’s throne as king in place of David, his father, while the officials, the warriors, and King David’s sons pledged submission to him.

The expression translated “established himself firmly” (hitpael of ḥāzaq) frequently is found where the new king assumed power after a time of difficulty (12:13; 13:21; 17:1; 21:4).

Despite problems at the time of his accession, Solomon experienced help from the Lord (cf.

, ; ), who made him great (cf.

; ; ).

This chapter summarizes for us how great Solomon was - or putting it better - how great the LORD made Solomon.

This chapter can be divided into a few sections:

his worship (vv.

2–6);

his worship (vv.

2–6), his wisdom (vv.

7–13), and his wealth (vv.

14–17).

his wisdom (vv.

7–13);

his wealth (vv.

14–17)

Solomon’s worship (2-6)

Solomon spoke to “all Israel” and collected the “whole assembly” of Israel to where the tabernacle was located in Gibeon to worship the LORD and to inquire of him (v5).

Remember, once again, that the tabernacle and the altar of the LORD that Moses had built was not with the ark.

The ark and it’s contents was in Gibeon.

Remember, once again, that the tabernacle of the LORD is not with the ark.

It is in Gibeon.

Also, we are told that the altar that David had built

It was on the altar at the tabernacle where the LORD wanted the sacrifices of his people to be offered.

One thousand burnt offerings are made at this point and Solomon inquires of the LORD.

Solomon’s Wisdom (7-13)

That very night that Solomon had led the people in worship and praying to God, God appears to Solomon in a dream ().

Solomon does the “wise” thing as a younger man with such a sobering task of leading God’s people: he asks for wisdom for this work.

Such a great request is given a “yes” answer, but God goes beyond this and decides to make Solomon, not just the wisest king of his time, but He promised to give him great physical wealth and glory unlike any other king before or after him.

Solomon’s Wealth (14-17)

Then the chapter closes out by giving us some details about the wealth of Solomon.

“The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedar as abundant as sycamore in the Judean foothills.”

(, CSB)

It is hard to imagine the amount of wealth that Solomon had.

Chapter 9 tells us that gold was in such abundance that Solomon made all of his drinking vessels out of it and did not use silver because it was considered “nothing” at the time… Solomon surpassed all the kings of the world in riches and wisdom

King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the world in riches and wisdom

With his wealth also came military strength.

He acquired chariots from Egypt and had 12,000 horsemen.

The law of Moses, significantly, had forbidden excess in these very matters (); they were, in fact, the sorts of sins that Solomon’s prosperity eventually precipitated.

In accordance with all his father commanded him, Solomon decides to build the temple for the name of the LORD in Jerusalem.

Solomon began the preparations to build the temple by sending a letter to Hiram, the king of Tyre.

He asked him to help in the building of the temple as Hiram had helped David in his building projects.

Solomon asked for timber and for workers, and he would give Hiram’s workers gifts to send to Hiram.

He also decided to build a palace for himself.

Solomon began the preparations to build the temple by sending a letter to Hiram, the king of Tyre.

He asked him to help in the building of the temple as Hiram had helped David in his building projects.

Solomon asked for timber and for workers, and he would give Hiram’s workers gifts to send to Hiram.

Solomon simply asks Hiram to continue the kindness he had previously shown to David (v.

3), and reminds him that the project is for God’s glory rather than Solomon’s (vv.

4–6).

He also decided to build a palace for himself.

Solomon began the preparations to build the temple by sending a letter to Hiram, the king of Tyre.

He asked him to help in the building of the temple as Hiram had helped David in his building projects.

Solomon asked for timber and for workers, and he would give Hiram’s workers gifts to send to Hiram.

Solomon’s words about God within his letter are amazing.

“The temple that I am building will be great, for our God is greater than any of the gods.

But who is able to build a temple for him, since even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain him?

Who am I then that I should build a temple for him...?” (, CSB)

This is a great reminder of God’s greatness.

Wherever it may be that God puts His name or dwells, the fulness of God’s glory is not there.

As David said earlier, the temple will be God’s footstool.