SOURCE FOR QUESTIONS
2 Chronicles 1:1 through 9:31

‍KEY VERSE FOR MEMORIZATION
“And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.” (2 Chronicles 1:11-12)

BACKGROUND

The Books of 1 and 2 Chronicles were written after the Jews returned from seventy years in Babylonian captivity. The author (traditionally assumed to be Ezra) wanted to encourage God’s chosen people, the Jews, to keep their spiritual heritage alive, so in these books he emphasized the record of Judah’s righteous kings who had zealously sought to turn the people back to God. 

Much of the material in 2 Chronicles, which spans from 970 B.C. to 538 B.C., adds to the parallel historical record found in the Books of 1 and 2 Kings. The nine chapters of today’s text center on the reign of Solomon, the son of David, whose most significant accomplishment was the building of the Temple in Jerusalem. Chapter 1 opens with an account of the new king gathering Israel together at Gibeon and his wise choice when given the opportunity to ask God for whatever he desired. Chapters 2 through 4 describe the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem and its furnishings, and chapters 5 through 7 cover the dedication of the house of God. Chapters 8 and 9 provide concluding commentary on the reign of Solomon, relating some of his other building activities and the visit of the Queen of Sheba. The text concludes with an account of Solomon’s death and burial. 

As readers of Chronicles today, we want to learn lessons from the past. When we review Judah’s history, we see the blessings that accrued to the godly leaders, and the downward spiral of chaos and destruction caused by those who were wicked and idolatrous. While God hates sin, these books remind us that He also desires to forgive and restore those who will turn to Him in humility and repentance.

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QUESTIONS

1. Solomon took the throne of Judah in 970 B.C. as the divinely appointed successor to his father, David. After assembling the leaders and congregation of Israel at Gibeon, he made offerings to God. That very night, the Lord appeared to Solomon and told the new king to ask whatever he desired from Him. Solomon’s request is recorded in 2 Chronicles 1:8-10. What characteristics of Solomon are revealed by his response, and how can they serve as an example to us when we bring our requests to God?
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2. Solomon received wisdom directly and miraculously from God. This was not just extensive knowledge or practical know-how—it was the ability to make wise decisions based on proper discernment and good judgment. What are some of the ways God gives us wisdom? How will having this help us with our responsibilities at home, school, work, and in the service of God?
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3. God was pleased with Solomon’s request for wisdom. Based on verses 11-12 of chapter 1, what additional blessings did the Lord grant Solomon?
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4. Chapter 2 reveals that Solomon spared no effort in the construction of the Temple. He employed over 100,000 people to quarry the right stones from the mountains and bring them to the Temple site. He asked the king of Tyre to sell him the renowned cedars of Lebanon from his territory for the Temple building project. He sought out craftsmen who were “cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave” (2 Chronicles 2:7). Why do you think Solomon incorporated superior materials and the work of professional artisans as he began his God-given task? What application do you see for us as we work in the service of the Lord?
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5. Chapter 3 indicates that the permanent house of the Lord was located on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. The Holy of Holies (or Most Holy Place) in the Temple’s interior is described in verses 8-14. Using these verses, briefly describe this most sacred place within the Temple in your own words.
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6. When the Temple was completed, the implements that had been prepared and the gifts King David had dedicated were brought into the Temple treasury. Then Solomon called Israel together for the ceremonial dedication and the moving of the Ark of the Covenant to its new location in the Temple. All twenty-four divisions of priests were present for this sacred occasion. They joined the “Levites which were the singers,” the instrumentalists playing cymbals, psalteries, and harps, and 120 priests playing trumpets. Together, the whole group made “one sound . . . in praising and thanking the Lord” (2 Chronicles 5:12-13). According to verses 13-14, what happened as this was done?
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7. Solomon’s prayer of dedication, recorded in 2 Chronicles 6:12–42, did not imply that God could be contained in the Temple or found only there. However, he did ask God to manifest His presence in the Temple in a special way and to be particularly attentive to the prayers offered there. In verses 22-39, Solomon made seven specific petitions to God, and each was directly associated with worship at the Temple. Name at least three of the petitions made in these verses.
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8. After the Temple dedication, God appeared again to Solomon and assured the king that his prayer had been heard. However, the blessings promised were provisional. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God told Solomon that when trouble came upon the people because of their sins, four conditions would need to be met to obtain forgiveness and forestall judgment: they would need to humble themselves, pray, seek after God, and turn away from their sinful behavior. When those conditions were met, God promised that He would hear from Heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land. What are some of the conditions we need to meet in order to benefit from the promises in the Bible?
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9. The first twelve verses of chapter 9 describe the visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon’s kingdom. Since King Solomon’s wisdom was widely known, she came with great and difficult questions for him. According to verse 2, “Solomon told her [answered] all her questions.” At times, people may come to us with “hard questions” related to our faith. How can we be sure our responses will reflect godly wisdom?
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10. While Solomon accomplished much during his reign, he drifted away from God in his later years. In verses 29-31 of chapter 9, the writer omitted any reference to this; he simply reported that Solomon reigned for forty years, that he died and was buried in the city of David, and that his son Rehoboam succeeded him on the throne. Considering the many advantages God had blessed Solomon with, these few closing words seem like a sad obituary. What legacy do you want to leave behind when you pass from this world?
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CONCLUSION

Solomon began his reign of Judah with humility and dependence upon God and in response, God blessed him with wisdom, fame, and riches. He had many accomplishments during his forty-year reign, but he ultimately strayed from devotion to the true God. His deviation brought changes not only to his own life, but also to Israel.