Open English Translation 2 CHR Chapter 1

1 David’s son Shelomoh (Solomon) became established over his kingdom and his god, Yahweh, was with him and made him very powerful.

2 Shelomoh spoke to all Yisrael (Israel), to the army commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, to all of Yisrael’s leaders, including the clan leaders. 3 So Shelomoh led all the assembly to the worship place at Gibeon because the sacred tent was there that Yahweh’s servant Mosheh (Moses) had made in the wilderness. 4 David had brought God’s box uphill from Kiryat-Yearim and he’d erected a tent for it in Yerushalem (Jerusalem).[ref] 5 The bronze altar made by Betsalel (son of Uri, son of Hur) was there in front of Yahweh’s tent, and Shelomoh and the assembly requested Yahweh’s guidance there.[ref] 6 So Shelomoh went up to the bronze altar there at the sacred tent, and in front of Yahweh, he sacrificed one thousand burnt offerings on it.

7 That night, God appeared to Shelomoh and told him, “Ask for what you want me to give you.”

8 “You showed outstanding loyal commitment to my father David,” Shelomoh replied to God, “and you’ve made me king in his place. 9 Now, Yahweh God, may your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you yourself have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust on the ground. 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge now as I come and go in front of these people, because who could make good judgements for this great people of yours?”

11 “Because that was in your heart,” God replied to Shelomoh “and you didn’t ask for wealth, riches, or fame, or the life of those who hate you, and also you didn’t ask for a long life, but you’ve asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself to help you lead my people that I’ve made you king over, 12 then I’ll give you that wisdom and knowledge, along with wealth and riches and fame. You’ll have more than any king that preceded you or any that follows.”

13 Then Shelomoh left the sacred tent at Gibeon and returned to Yerushalem, where he reigned over Yisrael. 14 Then Shelomoh built up his chariots and horsemen, and soon had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen which he stationed in the chariot cities and with him in Yerushalem.[ref] 15 The king made silver and gold in Yerushalem as common as stones, and he made imported cedar timber as common as the local sycamore trees that were plentiful in the lowlands. 16 Shelomoh’s horses were imported from Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim) and from the traders in Kue (in modern southern Türkiye/Turkey).[ref] 17 Egyptian chariots cost six hundred silver coins and horses cost one hundred and fifty. (The Hittites and Aramean kings were able to get them for the same price.)