2 Chron. 1:1-121And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly. 2Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers. 3So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness. 4But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjath-jearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem. 5Moreover the brazen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the Lord: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it. 6And 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. 7In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. 8And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast showed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. 9Now, O Lord God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. 10Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? 11And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honor, 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: 12Wisdom 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 1:1‑12).
WE HAVE noticed that it is grace which will bring in blessing to Israel, and that Solomon is a figure of the time when Christ will reign as king over Israel and the earth. The second book of Chronicles therefore, begins with Solomon's being magnified exceedingly, and the temple he built forms a picture of the glory of the kingdom established under Christ in that day.
Before any mention is made of the temple, however, it is very beautiful to see Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, going to Gibeon where the tabernacle built by Moses was pitched. There Solomon offered sacrifices at the brazen altar, at which the sacrifices were offered in the wilderness when the Lord brought His people out of Egypt. It is true the ark was not there, because of Israel's unfaithfulness, but that is not the subject here. It is rather the grace of God which, upon the ground of the sacrifices (a figure of the one sacrifice of Christ), could bring the people from their position of slavery, through the wilderness and into such blessing in the land. Solomon therefore offered a thousand burnt offerings upon the brazen altar, acknowledging this grace of God.
That very night the Lord appeared to Solomon saying, "Ask what I shall give thee." What a challenge this was to Solomon, and to each of our hearts! If the Lord were to appear to us this very night and ask us what we desired, what would we request? How often our lives show that the great desire of our hearts is earthly success. We seem to live as though the things of earth were the most important of all, and the Lord's things are given second place. But listen to the answer of Solomon: "Thou hast showed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me reign in his stead . . . Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people." As king over Israel he desired to have wisdom from the Lord to act for His glory and their blessing. He did not ask for riches, wealth, or honor, and the Lord was pleased with this, and so He not only granted him the wisdom and knowledge he asked, but also the riches, wealth, and honor, for which he had not asked. This is most beautiful and instructive, for often when we strive after earthly things we do not get them, or if we do, we have much sorrow with them, but if we seek to please the Lord and follow the wisdom of His Word, He blesses us with many temporal things beside. His Word says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:3333But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33).
If there should be an unsaved one reading these lines how important that you should first consider the salvation of your soul. How often people will tell us they have no time for these things, but yet they have plenty of time for the world, its business and its entertainment. All these earthly things will soon pass away, and "what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:3636For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36). Dear unsaved reader, flee for refuge to Christ today, while it is still the day of His grace. Tomorrow may be too late. The Lord's coming is drawing very near, and what will all your earthly possessions mean to you if you should be left behind when the Lord comes, or if He should say to you even now, "This night thy soul shall be required of thee." Luke 12:2020But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? (Luke 12:20).
Messages of the Love of God 4/13/1958