2 Chronicles 1 6

2 Chronicles 1:6 kjv

And Solomon went up thither to the brazen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.

2 Chronicles 1:6 nkjv

And Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of meeting, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.

2 Chronicles 1:6 niv

Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the LORD in the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.

2 Chronicles 1:6 esv

And Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before the LORD, which was at the tent of meeting, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.

2 Chronicles 1:6 nlt

There in front of the Tabernacle, Solomon went up to the bronze altar in the LORD's presence and sacrificed 1,000 burnt offerings on it.

2 Chronicles 1 verses

2 Chronicles 1 6 Meaning

Solomon ascended to the legitimate worship site at Gibeon, where the Tabernacle's bronze altar resided, and demonstrated profound dedication by offering a vast sacrifice of a thousand burnt offerings before the Lord. This act marked the initiation of his reign with deep reverence and a conscious seeking of divine favor and guidance.

2 Chronicles 1 6 Context

Chapter 1 of 2 Chronicles establishes Solomon's reign, immediately highlighting God's role in strengthening his kingdom. Verses 1-2 describe Solomon's ascent to power and the gathering of Israel's leadership. Verse 3 explicitly states that Solomon, with the entire assembly, went to Gibeon because the Tabernacle, known as the Tent of Meeting, along with the bronze altar and other sacred vessels, was located there at that time. While the Ark of the Covenant was in Jerusalem (2 Chron 1:4), Gibeon served as a legitimate, prominent worship site containing the Tabernacle components crafted under Mosaic instructions. Solomon's action in verse 6, offering a vast number of sacrifices at this central place of worship, signifies a kingly act of piety, submission, and dependence on God at the outset of his rule, demonstrating that spiritual priority precedes political and national endeavors.

2 Chronicles 1 6 Word analysis

• Solomon: שְׁלֹמֹה (Shlomo). The newly anointed king of Israel, son of David, whose name relates to "peace" (shalom).
• went up: וַיַּעַל (vayya'al) from עָלָה (alah). To ascend, to go up. Implies movement to a higher place, which Gibeon was, or to a place of ritual significance, like a place of worship.
• there: שָׁם (sham). Refers directly to Gibeon, the specific location mentioned in 2 Chron 1:3 where the Tabernacle components were kept.
• to the bronze altar: אֶל־מִזְבַּח הַנְּחֹשֶׁת (el-mizbaḥ hannechoshet).
  • mizbaḥ: altar, from the verb "to slaughter," signifying its function in sacrifice.
  • nechoshet: bronze or copper. This specific altar was crafted according to God's instructions for the Tabernacle by Bezalel (Exod 38:1-7), signifying divine authorization and continuity with wilderness worship. Its material indicated durability and the intense heat it had to withstand for perpetual sacrifice.
• before the Lord: לִפְנֵי יְהוָה (lifney YHWH). Literally "before the face of Yahweh." This phrase emphasizes the direct presence of God, indicating that the worship was performed in His immediate awareness and with the intention of His acknowledgement.
• which was at the tent of meeting: אֲשֶׁר לְאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד (asher le'ohel mo'ed).
  • 'ohel mo'ed: Tent of Meeting or Tabernacle. This was the portable sanctuary where God met with His people and His presence resided. Its presence at Gibeon ensured the legitimacy of Solomon's sacrifices in contrast to unsanctioned "high places."
• and offered: וַיַּעַל (vayya'al). Same verbal root as "went up," alah, but used causatively here, meaning "to cause to go up" or "to offer up" as a sacrifice. It signifies the burnt offering ascending as smoke to God.
• a thousand burnt offerings: עֹלֹות אֶלֶף (olot 'elef).
  • 'olot (plural of olah): Burnt offerings. This specific type of sacrifice (olah from alah, "to ascend") was entirely consumed by fire on the altar, ascending as a "sweet aroma" to God (Lev 1:9). It symbolized complete dedication, propitiation, and surrender to God.
  • 'elef: Thousand. This denotes an exceptionally large quantity, signifying Solomon's immense wealth, his extraordinary piety, and the complete, overflowing nature of his devotion and worship to God. It was a royal, national scale of worship.
• on it: עָלָיו (alav). Specifically, on the bronze altar. This confirms the direct application of the burnt offerings to the designated altar for such sacrifices.

2 Chronicles 1 6 Bonus section

The chronicler often emphasizes the importance of proper worship, adherence to the Law, and the central role of the priesthood and Levites. Solomon's journey to Gibeon and his use of the specific Mosaic Tabernacle's bronze altar, rather than another "high place," validates the legitimacy of his initial reign and his intent to follow God's commands regarding national worship, even if the Ark was located elsewhere. This highlights the theological point that while the Ark was significant, the components of the Tabernacle and their associated rituals remained essential for true worship before the Temple was built. The Gibeon site functioned as a legitimate center for public worship and official sacrifices during the early Solomonic era, serving as the central worship place until the permanent Temple in Jerusalem was completed.

2 Chronicles 1 6 Commentary

2 Chronicles 1:6 captures a pivotal act of worship by King Solomon. Rather than immediately asserting his political authority or commencing major building projects, he prioritizes approaching God in humility and devotion. The setting at Gibeon, specifically at the divinely ordained bronze altar connected to the ancient Tent of Meeting, underscores the legitimacy and traditional reverence of this act. This was not an ad hoc worship but an adherence to God’s prescribed methods. The scale of "a thousand burnt offerings" (olah) is astounding; it signifies a comprehensive and extravagant outpouring of gratitude, petition, and national dedication. This immense offering was a powerful statement of Solomon's complete reliance on the Lord for his monumental task of ruling Israel and building the Temple. It preceded God's direct interaction with Solomon in 1 Kings 3:5, where the Lord asks Solomon what he desires, directly demonstrating God's responsiveness to such sincere and grand worship. This moment set the spiritual foundation for Solomon's initial reign, marked by wisdom and prosperity.