2 Chronicles Chapter 1
Showing all 17 verses for 2 Chronicles Chapter 1.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly. "
"Solomon, David's son, took firm hold of his kingdom. The LORD his God was with him and made him highly successful."
However shaky a new responsibility feels at the start, I want you to know you're not meant to carry it alone - lean on what's solid rather than white-knuckling your way through. Strength that lasts is given, not just grabbed.
"Then 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. "
"Solomon spoke to all Israel - the commanders of thousands and hundreds, the judges, every leader in Israel, and the heads of families."
I notice who you bring with you into important moments. Inviting others in - rather than going it alone or performing solo - is part of how trust and shared purpose get built.
"So 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. "
"So Solomon and the whole assembly went with him to the high place at Gibeon, because that's where the tent of meeting was - the one Moses, the LORD's servant, had made in the wilderness."
Your story doesn't have to erase what came before it to be your own. I honour the roots you come from even as you grow into something new.
"But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjathjearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem. "
"But the ark of God itself David had already brought up from Kirjathjearim to the place he'd prepared for it, because he'd pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem."
I don't expect everything in your life to be neatly in one place all at once. Loose ends are normal on the way to something whole - be patient with the in-between.
"Moreover the brasen 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. "
"The bronze altar that Bezaleel (grandson of Hur) had made was set up in front of the tabernacle, and Solomon and the assembly went to it to seek the LORD."
When you seek clarity for a big decision, reach for what has proven trustworthy over time rather than whatever is newest or easiest. I'm found in the practices that have stood the test, not just the shiny and new.
"And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it. "
"Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the LORD at the tabernacle and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it."
What you're willing to give up front tells you - and me - how serious you are about a new chapter. Start well, and start generously; it sets the tone for everything that follows.
"In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. "
"That night God appeared to Solomon and said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you.""
If I asked you tonight what you truly wanted, what would you say? I'm less interested in the answer being impressive and more interested in it being honest - and I want you to want what actually matters.
"And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. "
"Solomon said to God, "You showed great faithfulness to my father David, and you have made me king in his place.""
Start from thankfulness, not entitlement. When you recognise what you've already received, your requests come from a healthier place - not desperation, but partnership.
"Now, 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. "
""Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, because you've made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.""
Don't shrink the size of what you're facing just to seem in control. Tell me the truth about how big the task feels - that honesty is where real help can begin.
"Give 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? "
""Give me wisdom and knowledge now, so I can lead this people well - because who could possibly judge a people this large on their own?""
When you're given responsibility over others, ask me for what helps you serve them well, not just what makes your own life easier. I answer prayers aimed at other people's good more readily than you might expect.
"And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, 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: "
"God said to Solomon, "Because this was in your heart - and you didn't ask for riches, wealth, honour, the death of your enemies, or even a long life, but asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people, whom I've made you king over -""
I see the difference between what you could have asked for and what you actually asked for. Choosing what serves others over what simply comforts you is one of the clearest signs of a heart aligned with love.
"Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like. "
""Wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. And I will also give you riches, wealth, and honour beyond any king before you or after you.""
When you put what truly matters first, don't be surprised if other good things find their way to you too - not as a reward you earned, but as a natural overflow of living well. Just don't chase the overflow instead of the source.
"Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel. "
"Then Solomon went from the high place at Gibeon back to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle, and he ruled over Israel."
Mountaintop moments matter, but I care just as much about what you do with them once you're back down among the everyday demands of life. Let what moves you shape how you actually live, not just how you feel for a moment.
"And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. "
"Solomon built up a force of chariots and horsemen - fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen - stationed partly in chariot cities and partly with him in Jerusalem."
Building strength and capability in your life isn't wrong - what matters to me is what you build it for and what came first in your heart. Let capability follow character, not replace it.
"And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the vale for abundance. "
"The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar wood as plentiful as the sycamore trees of the lowland plains."
Abundance is a gift I'm glad to see you enjoy, but don't mistake having a lot for having enough of what actually satisfies. Keep your heart anchored somewhere deeper than your bank balance.
"And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price. "
"Solomon imported horses from Egypt and linen yarn; the king's traders bought the linen yarn at a set price."
I don't ask you to sit back and wait for blessing to fall into your lap - go out, build relationships, do the work. Provision and effort are meant to walk hand in hand.
"And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their means. "
"They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver and a horse for a hundred and fifty, and through these traders supplied horses to all the kings of the Hittites and of Syria."
Watch how a life ordered around the right first thing tends to become genuinely fruitful, touching far more than you expected - your influence for good can reach further than your own household. Let your flourishing become something others can draw on too.