2Ch 1:14-17 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Chr 1:14-17: 1:14-17 The illustration of Solomon’s wealth and power (expanded on in 9:25-28 ) comes from the summary of his kingdom in 1 Kgs 10:26-29 . In Kings, the summary of Solomon’s wealth provided a transition to the negative aspects of Solomon’s rule (1 Kgs 11 ). Here, Solomon’s amassing of wealth showed the fulfillment of God’s promise (2 Chr 1:12 ).

Summary for 2Chr 1:14-17: 1:14-17 ^a The illustration of Solomon’s wealth and power (expanded on in 9:25-28 ^b) comes from the summary of his kingdom in 1 Kgs 10:26-29 ^c. In Kings, the summary of Solomon’s wealth provided a transition to the negative aspects of Solomon’s rule (1 Kgs 11 ^d). Here, Solomon’s amassing of wealth showed the fulfillment of God’s promise (2 Chr 1:12 ^e).
1:16 ^f If Egypt is the correct translation, this verse indicates disobedience by Solomon (see Deut 17:16 ^g). However, importing from Muzur in Anatolia was not prohibited.

Thematic note: Solomon’s Wisdom
When God gave Solomon the opportunity to ask for anything he wanted, Solomon chose wisdom, so that he could “govern [God’s] people well and know the difference between right and wrong” (1 Kgs 3:9 ^h). In response to this unselfish choice, God granted the wisdom he desired (3:12 ⁱ) and the rewards of its proper use (3:13-14 ^j; 2 Chr 1:14-17 ^k).
Solomon’s subsequent behavior provided immediate evidence of his wisdom. He resolved an argument over a child with such insight that the people were “in awe of the king” (1 Kgs 3:16-28 ^l). Later, the queen of Sheba came to test him with difficult questions and found his wisdom exceeding all that she had heard about it (10:1-9 ^m). His administration (4:1-28 ⁿ), his diplomacy (5:1-9 ^o), his building projects (5:10–7:51 ^p), and his commerce (9:26-28 ^q; 10:14-29 ^r) all demonstrated his wisdom. Solomon accumulated vast knowledge (4:29-33 ^s) and wrote proverbs (much of the book of Proverbs), songs (Pss 72 ^t; 127 ^u), love poetry (the Song of Songs), and philosophical literature (Ecclesiastes). He used his wisdom to build the Temple (2 Chr 2:12 ^v), even as Bezalel had previously been endowed with wisdom to build the Tabernacle (Exod 31:1-3 ^w).
Jesus noted Solomon’s great wisdom and reminded his hearers that someone even greater than Solomon was among them (Matt 12:42 ^x). Jesus is the true wisdom of God in whom one can find ultimate wisdom (1 Cor 1:24 ^y). A life of wisdom is centered in Christ (1 Cor 1:18-25 ^z; Col 3:16 ^aa; 2 Pet 3:18 ^ab) and in Scripture (2 Tim 3:14-17 ^ac).

Passages for Further Study
Exod 31:1-6 ^ad; 1 Kgs 3:5-14 ^ae; 3:16-28 ^af; 4:29-34 ^ag; 5:2-7 ^ah; 10:1-13 ^ai; 2 Chr 1:7-12 ^aj; Pss 72:1-20 ^ak; 111:10 ^al; 127:1-5 ^am; Eccl 12:9-14 ^an; Isa 11:1-5 ^ao; Jer 9:23-24 ^ap; Matt 12:42 ^aq; Jas 1:5 ^ar