2 Chronicles 1 7

2 Chronicles 1:7 kjv

In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.

2 Chronicles 1:7 nkjv

On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask! What shall I give you?"

2 Chronicles 1:7 niv

That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."

2 Chronicles 1:7 esv

In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask what I shall give you."

2 Chronicles 1:7 nlt

That night God appeared to Solomon and said, "What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!"

2 Chronicles 1 7 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Gen 12:7The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land."God's direct appearance and promise to Abram.
Gen 17:1...the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God..."God revealing Himself and His covenant.
Exod 3:2There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire...God's call of Moses through a divine appearance.
Judg 6:12When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you..."God's initiation and call for Gideon.
1 Sam 3:21And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh...God revealed Himself to Samuel through His word.
Heb 1:1-2Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.God's varied ways of revelation.
1 Kgs 3:4-5...the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream... "Ask what I shall give you."Parallel account of God's offer to Solomon.
1 Chr 29:23-25Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD...Solomon established in his reign by God.
2 Chr 1:6...Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar...Solomon's grand act of worship preceding God's appearance.
Ps 2:8Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance...Divine offer to the Messiah for dominion.
Ps 81:10...Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.God's willingness to bless liberally.
Matt 7:7Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.Jesus' teaching on persistence in prayer and God's readiness to give.
Lk 11:9-10And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you...Emphasis on asking God for needs.
Jas 1:5-6If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault...Asking God for wisdom, specifically, and God's generous giving.
Eph 3:20Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think...God's boundless ability and generosity.
Rom 8:32He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?God's supreme generosity through Christ.
Prov 2:6For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.The divine source of all true wisdom.
Prov 3:13-18Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver...The immense value and benefit of wisdom.
Eccl 7:12For wisdom is a protection even as money is a protection...Practical benefit of wisdom.
Is 11:2-3And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding...The Spirit of Wisdom resting upon the Messiah.
1 Cor 1:30And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God...Christ as the ultimate embodiment of God's wisdom.
Col 2:3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.All wisdom and knowledge found in Christ.
Matt 6:33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.Seeking God's priorities brings other blessings.
Jn 15:7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.Asking within relationship and alignment with Christ.

2 Chronicles 1 verses

2 Chronicles 1 7 Meaning

In 2 Chronicles 1:7, God sovereignly appeared to King Solomon in a profound manifestation following Solomon's extensive worship at Gibeon. During this divine encounter, God initiated a direct conversation, presenting Solomon with an unprecedented and open-ended offer: "Ask what I shall give you." This verse signifies God's direct involvement in Solomon's nascent reign, demonstrating divine favor and providing a critical opportunity for the young king to align his desires with God's will for His kingdom and people.

2 Chronicles 1 7 Context

This verse immediately follows Solomon's grand act of worship at the high place in Gibeon, where the Tabernacle of Meeting, made by Moses in the wilderness, resided. Solomon, having been newly confirmed as king and taking a vast array of sacrifices (2 Chr 1:2-6), sought God's favor and guidance. The Chronicler emphasizes Solomon's devotion as the direct precursor to this profound divine encounter. Historically, this occurs early in Solomon's reign, when the kingdom needed strong, divinely-guided leadership. The account in 2 Chronicles differs from the parallel in 1 Kings by explicitly stating God "appeared" to Solomon, rather than just in a dream, highlighting a more direct and intentional divine communication in the Chronicler's narrative, perhaps to reinforce God's direct intervention and support for the Davidic dynasty for the post-exilic audience.

2 Chronicles 1 7 Word analysis

  • In that night: (בַּלַּיְלָה הַהוּא, ba-laylah ha-hu) This phrase links directly to the immense offering made in the daytime (2 Chr 1:6), indicating an immediate and direct divine response to Solomon's act of worship and devotion. It underscores the concept of God responding to earnest seeking.

  • God: (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim) This is the general Hebrew name for God, emphasizing His universal sovereignty and authority, the one true God addressing His chosen king.

  • appeared: (נִרְאָה, nir'ah) This is the Niphal perfect form of the verb ראה (ra'ah), meaning "to be seen" or "to show oneself." The passive form with an active sense stresses that God actively manifested Himself, making His presence known to Solomon directly. This term highlights a real, undeniable encounter, contrasting with the parallel account in 1 Kings 3:5 which specifies it was in a dream, although both convey divine communication. The Chronicler emphasizes direct divine intervention and presence.

  • to Solomon: (אֶל-שְׁלֹמֹה, el Shlomo) Points to the specific individual chosen by God, the newly anointed king, heir to David, at the threshold of his kingship, emphasizing God's personal attention to him.

  • and said to him: (וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ, vaiyomer lo) Denotes direct, personal verbal communication, further solidifying the intimate nature of this divine encounter.

  • "Ask what I shall give you.": (שְׁאַל מָה אֶתֶּן-לָךְ, Sha'al mah etten-lach)

    • Ask: (שְׁאַל, Sha'al) An imperative verb, a divine command for Solomon to articulate his deepest desire. This highlights God's initiative in giving, but also His test of Solomon's priorities.
    • what I shall give you: (מָה אֶתֶּן-לָךְ, mah etten-lach) This phrase presents an open-ended, boundless offer, indicating God's incredible generosity and the unlimited possibilities available through divine favor. It's a "blank check," challenging Solomon to express what he values most in light of his new responsibilities and God's purposes.
  • Words-group Analysis:

    • "In that night God appeared to Solomon": This grouping highlights divine initiative and immediate response. It is God who takes the first step in this monumental encounter, indicating His sovereign interest in Solomon and His readiness to engage with His people, particularly after sincere worship.
    • "and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.”": This phrase encapsulates God's incredible benevolence and wisdom. It's not just a generous offer but also a profound test of Solomon's heart, character, and priorities as king, inviting him to demonstrate his reliance on God rather than self-sufficiency.

2 Chronicles 1 7 Bonus section

The Chronicler's emphasis on Gibeon as the location for this divine appearance (due to the presence of the Tabernacle of Meeting there, as highlighted in 2 Chr 1:3-5) is significant. It underscores the legitimacy and sacredness of the encounter, validating Solomon's devotion and subsequent choices to the post-exilic community. This act of divine outreach to Solomon also implicitly sets a standard for all future rulers and believers: seeking God with a sincere heart and selfless devotion (like Solomon's immense offering) precedes and invites God's abundant provision and direct intervention in their lives, especially for the good of His people and the advancement of His kingdom purposes. This moment established a trajectory of divine enablement for Solomon's reign, reminding that true prosperity comes from divine blessing on wisdom that serves God's designs.

2 Chronicles 1 7 Commentary

2 Chronicles 1:7 is a pivotal moment establishing the foundation of Solomon's reign under divine guidance. It reveals God's responsiveness to devotion and His active involvement in His people's lives. God does not wait for Solomon to inquire, but initiates the conversation with an astounding, unrestricted offer. This divine initiative underscores that true success and effective leadership, particularly for God's chosen, originate not from human cleverness or might, but from God's favor and empowering presence. The "blank check" signifies God's incredible generosity and His readiness to empower His servants to fulfill His purposes. It serves as a test, challenging Solomon's deepest desires and prompting him to articulate his needs from a divine perspective. Solomon's subsequent wise request for wisdom (recorded in the following verses) validates his heart for God's people and kingdom, becoming a model for aligning human desire with divine will.