2 Chronicles 1:13 - Meaning and Application

Here we see, first, Solomon’s entrance into government (2 Chronicles 1:13). He came from before the tabernacle, the sacred tent where God was worshiped, and then he reigned over Israel. He would not begin the work of ruling until he had first done the work of devotion. He would not take honor for himself until he had first given honor to God, first the tabernacle, then the throne.

But when God had given him wisdom, he did not hide that gift. He put it to work. He did not give himself over to ease and pleasure, but attended to his duties and governed the people. A man who receives a gift from God should use it well, not bury it.

Second, we see the splendor of his court (2 Chronicles 1:14). He gathered chariots and horsemen. Should we praise him for that? No, because the king had been forbidden to multiply horses (Deuteronomy 17:16). I do not remember that we ever find his good father, David, in a chariot or on horseback. The highest he rode was a mule. We should aim to excel those before us in goodness, not in outward grandeur.

Third, we see the wealth and trade of his kingdom. Solomon made silver and gold so common that they lost much of their value (2 Chronicles 1:15). The more gold people have, the less rare it seems. But the more grace people have, the more valuable it becomes. That is why it is far better to get wisdom than gold.

He also opened trade with Egypt, from which he imported horses and linen yarn, and then sold them to the kings of Syria for profit (2 Chronicles 1:16, 2 Chronicles 1:17). We have read this before (1 Kings 10:28, 1 Kings 10:29). It is wise for rulers to encourage work and trade in their lands. Perhaps Solomon even took the idea of starting a linen business from what his mother said about the virtuous woman: “She makes fine linen and sells it, and delivers sashes to the merchant” (Proverbs 31:24). There is profit in all hard work.