2 Chronicles 1 8

2 Chronicles 1:8 kjv

And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast showed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.

2 Chronicles 1:8 nkjv

And Solomon said to God: "You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place.

2 Chronicles 1:8 niv

Solomon answered God, "You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place.

2 Chronicles 1:8 esv

And Solomon said to God, "You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place.

2 Chronicles 1:8 nlt

Solomon replied to God, "You showed great and faithful love to David, my father, and now you have made me king in his place.

2 Chronicles 1 verses

2 Chronicles 1 8 Meaning

2 Chronicles 1:8 records Solomon's declaration acknowledging God's faithfulness and kindness towards his father, David. It highlights God's covenantal "steadfast love" (heṣed) demonstrated in two significant ways: first, by establishing David as king in God's chosen plan, and second, by ensuring the continuity of the Davidic line through the gift of a son, Solomon himself, who now sits on the throne. This statement sets the stage for Solomon's subsequent prayer for wisdom, recognizing that his kingship is a divine gift and fulfillment of promises, rather than solely a human achievement.

2 Chronicles 1 8 Context

This verse is found within the narrative of Solomon's early reign, specifically during his significant visit to Gibeon (2 Chron 1:3). Gibeon was the location of the main Tabernacle from the wilderness period, along with the brazen altar (2 Chron 1:5). Solomon goes there to offer a thousand burnt offerings, demonstrating his devotion and seeking divine favor at the outset of his rule. The verse precedes God's appearance to Solomon in a dream and God's invitation for Solomon to ask for anything (2 Chron 1:7). Solomon's statement in 1:8 is thus a preamble to his request for wisdom; it shows his deep theological understanding and humble acknowledgement of God's sovereign hand in establishing the Davidic dynasty and ensuring its continuity through himself. It emphasizes that Solomon sees his kingship as a direct act of divine covenant-keeping. Historically, this period marks the peak of the united monarchy of Israel, building on David's legacy and preparing for the grand undertaking of building the Temple in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 1 8 Word analysis

• You: Direct address to Yahweh, God of Israel. Implies a personal and active deity.
• have shown: asah (עָשָׂה) - to make, do, perform, bring about. This verb denotes concrete action and implementation, emphasizing God's direct agency in events.
• great: gadol (גָּדוֹל) - large, mighty, extraordinary, severe. This amplifies the degree of the divine attribute, indicating an exceptional, abundant display.
• steadfast love: ḥesed (חֶסֶד) - This crucial Hebrew term encompasses loyalty, faithfulness, covenantal love, kindness, mercy, and grace. It denotes a deep commitment that goes beyond mere affection, specifically highlighting God's faithfulness to His covenant obligations, particularly the one made with David. It is God's enduring, unfailing commitment.
• to David my father: Establishes Solomon's familial connection and acknowledges the source of his authority – not self-claimed, but through a divinely chosen lineage. It links Solomon directly to God's covenant with David.
• and have made him king in his place: Emphasizes God's sovereign appointment of David. David did not seize the throne, but God "made" him king, displacing Saul, demonstrating God's ultimate authority over kingdoms.
• and given him a son: Highlights God's fulfillment of His promise to David regarding the continuity of his dynasty through his offspring (2 Sam 7:12). This son is Solomon himself, signifying God's covenant-keeping is current and real in Solomon's very presence. This underscores divine providence.

Word-groups analysis:

• "You have shown great steadfast love to David my father": This phrase encapsulates God's character of faithful, enduring, and abundant covenant loyalty (ḥesed). It frames the subsequent divine actions not as arbitrary, but as an outflow of this unchanging attribute towards David and his lineage. Solomon immediately roots his kingship in God's prior gracious action.
• "and have made him king in his place and given him a son": This phrase details the specific ways God's "great steadfast love" was manifested. "Made him king" refers to David's divine election and establishment, confirming God's hand in instituting the Davidic monarchy. "Given him a son" refers to the fulfillment of the specific Davidic Covenant promise that a descendant would sit on David's throne, signifying divine provision for the dynastic succession. The two clauses together affirm the full implementation of the covenant from David's ascension to Solomon's current reign.

2 Chronicles 1 8 Bonus section

The Chronicler, writing to a post-exilic audience, emphasizes God's consistent covenant-keeping and the perpetual nature of the Davidic line more strongly than the book of Kings. By highlighting Solomon's recognition of God's "steadfast love" and the divine origin of his kingship from the outset, the Chronicler sets a theological tone for the rest of his work, reassuring the people of Judah that God's promises, especially to David, remain unbroken despite national failings and exile. This emphasis on divine fidelity would have provided hope and a call to return to God's ways, just as Solomon did in humbly seeking God's favor. The narrative stresses that Solomon's reign, and implicitly Israel's welfare, is secured by God's faithfulness, not by human might or wisdom alone.

2 Chronicles 1 8 Commentary

2 Chronicles 1:8 is Solomon's reverent acknowledgment of God's faithfulness. Before making his grand request for wisdom, Solomon first articulates a profound understanding of his own position: he is king by divine grace, not human effort. The term "steadfast love" (hesed) is central, conveying God's unwavering covenant loyalty to David. This wasn't merely a general benevolence, but an active, committed, and demonstrable fulfillment of the Davidic covenant (2 Sam 7). God's hesed led Him to establish David as king over Israel, demonstrating divine sovereignty in selecting leaders. Furthermore, this hesed extended to ensuring David's line would continue through his son, Solomon, thus validating Solomon's legitimacy and current kingship as a direct fulfillment of God's promise. Solomon's prayer thus flows from a heart grounded in gratitude and a clear understanding that his prosperity and future reign are entirely dependent on God's past and continuing faithfulness to His covenant. It serves as a model of seeking God from a position of humble dependence on His already established character and promises.