2 Chronicles 1 12

2 Chronicles 1:12 kjv

Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.

2 Chronicles 1:12 nkjv

wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like."

2 Chronicles 1:12 niv

therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have."

2 Chronicles 1:12 esv

wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like."

2 Chronicles 1:12 nlt

I will certainly give you the wisdom and knowledge you requested. But I will also give you wealth, riches, and fame such as no other king has had before you or will ever have in the future!"

2 Chronicles 1 verses

2 Chronicles 1 12 Meaning

2 Chronicles 1:12 records God's covenantal promise to King Solomon in response to his humble and selfless request for wisdom to govern God's people. God grants Solomon not only the unparalleled wisdom and knowledge he sought but also supernaturally adds extraordinary riches, material wealth, and honor that surpassed all kings before or after him. This demonstrates God's abundant generosity when His servant prioritizes His will and the well-being of His kingdom over personal gain.

2 Chronicles 1 12 Context

The verse is part of God's response to King Solomon's request at Gibeon (2 Chron 1:7-11). After the death of King David, Solomon ascends to the throne. He goes to Gibeon where the tabernacle of meeting and the bronze altar are located to offer a thousand burnt offerings. In a nocturnal vision, God appears to Solomon and tells him to ask for anything he desires. Instead of asking for a long life, riches, or victory over his enemies, Solomon requests wisdom and knowledge to rightly judge and lead God's numerous people (2 Chron 1:9-10). This humble and kingdom-focused request pleased God, leading to the divine promise in 2 Chronicles 1:12. The Chronicler emphasizes Solomon's immediate success and unprecedented prosperity as a direct result of his wisdom and God's favor, setting a precedent for subsequent kings to prioritize God and His will.

2 Chronicles 1 12 Word analysis

• wisdom (Hebrew: חָכְמָה, chokmah): Refers to practical skill, sagacity, good judgment, and the ability to apply knowledge. In biblical terms, it is often tied to ethical and spiritual insight, leading to righteous living and effective governance. Solomon sought the kind of wisdom that enabled him to distinguish right from wrong and administer justice, vital for a king. It's not just intellectual brilliance but divinely inspired capability.
• knowledge (Hebrew: מַדָּע, madda'): Implies understanding, discernment, and acquaintance with facts and principles. It complements chokmah by suggesting comprehensive comprehension of situations and people. Together, chokmah and madda' provided Solomon with comprehensive governance abilities.
• are granted unto thee: (Hebrew: נָתַן, nathan - "given"): Highlights the divine origin of these gifts. It's not something Solomon earned or could acquire by himself, but a direct, unmerited bestowment from God. This emphasizes God's sovereign hand in equipping His chosen ones for their tasks.
• and I will give thee riches: (Hebrew: עשׁר, osher - "wealth, riches"): Refers to material abundance, financial prosperity, and valuable possessions.
• and wealth: (Hebrew: נכסים, nechasim - "possessions, property"): This term often implies tangible assets, lands, livestock, and other valuable property, broadening the scope beyond mere currency.
• and honour: (Hebrew: כָּבוֹד, kavod - "glory, honor, reputation"): Denotes esteem, respect, and a good reputation among people, often reflecting one's status and the visible signs of blessing. In the context of a king, this included widespread respect and influence among nations.
• such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like: This phrase emphasizes the unprecedented and unparalleled nature of the blessing. It’s a hyperbole to stress the extraordinary degree of divine favor, signifying that Solomon's wisdom and prosperity would set a standard unmatched by any other human king. While not literally true in every aspect (e.g., Jesus is greater than Solomon), it emphasizes the unique temporal scope and magnitude of his reign's blessing. This signifies a fulfillment of God's abundant generosity beyond expectation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "wisdom and knowledge are granted unto thee": This phrase directly addresses Solomon's specific request. It underscores God's affirmation of Solomon's desire to be a just ruler. The verb "granted" indicates divine empowerment for his kingly duties.
• "and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour": This is God's overflowing additional blessing, directly linked to Solomon's righteous request. It showcases God's character as a generous giver who rewards humble, kingdom-focused priorities by exceeding what is asked. These material blessings are a divine consequence, not the primary focus, yet significant for displaying God's favor.
• "such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like": This declarative statement asserts the unique and incomparable nature of Solomon's wisdom and prosperity. It elevates Solomon's reign to a standard of exceptional blessing, emphasizing divine uniqueness for the immediate fulfillment of a covenantal promise to a king who sought God's purposes first.

2 Chronicles 1 12 Bonus section

The Chronicler’s account of Solomon, particularly in chapters 1-9, tends to highlight Solomon’s ideal rule and incredible prosperity, often softening or omitting the darker aspects and later apostasy detailed in 1 Kings. This emphasizes a key Chronicler theological theme: immediate blessing for obedience and divine favor for God-centered kingship. This portrayal serves to demonstrate God’s faithfulness to the Davidic covenant and set a high, idealized standard for subsequent rulers of Judah. While the unprecedented material blessings are confirmed in other texts, the Chronicler consistently links them more directly to Solomon's early obedience and humble request, emphasizing the positive cause-and-effect relationship. Solomon's example here points to the reality that true, lasting prosperity comes from God and is best used for His glory.

2 Chronicles 1 12 Commentary

2 Chronicles 1:12 beautifully encapsulates God's responsiveness to a heart aligned with His purposes. Solomon, positioned as the new king of God's chosen nation, wisely prioritizes the capacity to govern justly over personal enrichment or worldly power. God's immediate and abundant reply underscores a core biblical principle: when His children genuinely seek His wisdom and kingdom above all else, He is pleased to bestow blessings, both spiritual and material, in measure far exceeding what is sought. The grant of "wisdom and knowledge" addresses the explicit request, equipping Solomon for his daunting task of ruling a vast nation according to God's law. The addition of "riches, wealth, and honour" serves as a tangible, public sign of divine approval and a practical provision for Solomon to fund the temple building and administer the kingdom's affairs effectively. This unparalleled material blessing also validated Solomon's kingship in the eyes of his people and surrounding nations. It teaches us that seeking God's wisdom and prioritizing His will does not lead to impoverishment, but rather often to a holistic prosperity that includes, but transcends, the material. It exemplifies the truth that God owns all things and delights in showering His goodness upon those who walk uprightly and serve His Kingdom first.