Solomon's Wisdom
2 Chronicles 1
Solomon is established as king and offers sacrifices at the high place in Gabaon, where the Lord appears to him by night and grants him wisdom and understanding after he asks for these rather than wealth or long life. The Lord also gives him great riches and glory, and Solomon gathers chariots and horsemen and resolves to build a house for the Lord.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonWHEN the authority of Solomon son of David was firmly established over his kingdom, and the Lord his God, being with him, had magnified him exceedingly,
BrentonAnd Solomon the son of David was established over his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him, and increased him exceedingly.
GreekΚΑΙ ἐνίσχυσε Σαλωμὼν υἱὸς Δαυὶδ ἐπὶ τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς αὐτοῦ μετʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐμεγάλυνεν αὐτὸν εἰς ὕψος.
KJVAnd Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.
JPSAND SOLOMON the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.
2
ThomsonSolomon spoke to all Israel, to the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds and to the judges and to all the chiefs before Israel, namely the heads of the patriarchal families;
BrentonAnd Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the captains of thousands, and to the captains of hundreds, and to the judges, and to all the rulers over Israel, even the heads of the families;
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαλωμὼν πρὸς πάντα Ἰσραὴλ, τοῖς χιλιάρχοις, καὶ τοῖς ἑκατοντάρχοις, καὶ τοῖς κριταῖς, καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς ἄρχουσιν ἐναντίον Ἰσραὴλ τοῖς ἄρχουσι τῶν πατριῶν.
KJVThen 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.
JPSAnd Solomon spoke unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every prince in all Israel, the heads of the fathers’houses.
3
Thomsonand he and all the congregation went to the high place at Gabaon, at which place was the tabernacle of the testimony of God, which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness.
Brentonand Solomon and all the congregation went to the high place that was in Gabaon, where was God's tabernacle of witness, which Moses the servant of the Lord made in the wilderness.
Greekκαὶ ἐπορεύθη Σαλωμὼν καὶ πᾶσα ἡ ἐκκλησία εἰς τὴν ὑψηλὴν τὴν ἐν Γαβαὼν, οὗ ἐκεῖ ἦν ἡ σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἣν ἐποίησε Μωυσῆς παῖς Κυρίου ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ.
KJVSo 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.
JPSSo Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tent of meeting of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.
4
Thomson(But David had brought the ark of God from the city Kariathiarim, for he had provided for it—for he had erected for it a tabernacle at Jerusalem.)
BrentonBut David had brought up the ark of God out of the city of Cariathiarim; for David had prepared a place for it, for he had pitched a tabernacle for it in Jerusalem.
GreekἈλλὰ κιβωτὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀνήνεγκε Δαυὶδ ἐκ πόλεως Καριαθιαρὶμ, ὅτι ἡτοίμασεν αὐτῇ Δαυὶδ, ὅτι ἔπηξεν αὐτῇ σκηνὴν ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ.
KJVBut 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.
JPSBut the ark of God had David brought up from Kiriath-jearim to the place that David had prepared for it; for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.
5
ThomsonThe brazen altar also, which Beseleel son of Ourias son of Or had made, was there before the tabernacle of the Lord. To this therefore Solomon and the congregation repaired.
BrentonAnd the brazen altar which Beseleel the son of Urias, the son of Or, had made, was there before the tabernacle of the Lord: and Solomon and the congregation enquired at it.
GreekΚαὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον τὸ χαλκοῦν ὃ ἐποίησε Βεσελεὴλ υἱὸς Οὐρίου υἱοῦ Ὢρ, ἐκεῖ ἦν ἔναντι τῆς σκηνῆς Κυρίου· καὶ ἐξεζήτησεν αὐτὸ Σαλωμὼν καὶ ἡ ἐκκλησία,
KJVMoreover 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.
JPSMoreover the brazen altar, that Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, had been put before the tabernacle of the LORD; and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it.
6
ThomsonAnd he made an offering there on the brazen altar before the Lord, on that at the tabernacle.
BrentonAnd Solomon brought victims thither to the brazen altar that was before the Lord in the tabernacle, and offered upon it a thousand whole-burnt-offerings.
Greekκαὶ ἤνεγκε Σαλωμὼν ἐκεῖ ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον τὸ χαλκοῦν ἐνώπιον Κυρίου τὸ ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ, καὶ ἤνεγκεν ἐπʼ αὐτῷ ὁλοκαύτωσιν χιλίαν.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd Solomon offered there, upon the brazen altar before the LORD, which was at the tent of meeting, he offered a thousand burnt-offerings upon it.
7
ThomsonAnd when he had offered upon it a thousand victims God appeared to Solomon that night and said to him, Ask what I shall give thee.
BrentonIn that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, Ask what I shall give thee.
GreekἘν τῇ νυκτὶ ἐκείνῃ ὤφθη Θεὸς τῷ Σαλωμὼν, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, αἴτησαι τί σοι δῶ.
KJVIn that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.
JPSIn that night did God, appear unto Solomon, and said unto him: ‘Ask what I shall give thee.’
8
ThomsonThereupon Solomon said to God, Thou hast shewn great kindness to my father David, and hast made me king in his stead,
BrentonAnd Solomon said to God, Thou hast dealt very mercifully with my father David, and hast made me king in his stead.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαλωμὼν πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, σὺ ἐποίησας μετὰ Δαυὶδ τοῦ πατρός μου ἔλεος μέγα, καὶ ἐβασίλευσάς με ἀντʼ αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.
JPSAnd Solomon said unto God: ‘Thou hast shown great kindness unto David my father, and hast made me king in his stead.
9
Thomsonnow therefore, O Lord my God, let Thy name I beseech Thee be established on my father David. Seeing Thou hast made me king over a people numerous as the dust of the earth,
BrentonAnd now, O Lord God, let, I pray thee, thy name be established upon David my father; for thou hast made me king over a people numerous as the dust of the earth.
GreekΚαὶ νῦν, Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς, πιστωθήτω δὴ τὸ ὄνομά σου ἐπὶ Δαυὶδ τὸν πατέρα μου, ὅτι σὺ ἐβασίλευσάς με ἐπὶ λαὸν πολὺν, ὡς ὁ χοῖς τῆς γῆς.
KJVNow, 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.
JPSNow, 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.
10
Thomsongrant me now wisdom and understanding that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this Thy people which is so great?
BrentonNow give me wisdom and understanding, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who shall judge this thy great people?
GreekΝῦν σοφίαν καὶ σύνεσιν δός μοι, καὶ ἐξελεύσομαι ἐνώπιον τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου καὶ εἰσελεύσομαι, ὅτι τίς κρινεῖ τὸν λαόν σου τὸν μέγαν τοῦτον;
KJVGive 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?
JPSGive 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?’
11
ThomsonAnd God said to Solomon, Because this hath been in thy heart; and thou hast not asked wealth nor glory nor the life of thy enemies; nor even asked long life; but hast asked for thyself wisdom and understanding that thou mayst judge My people over whom I have made thee king:
BrentonAnd God said to Solomon, Because this was in thy heart, and thou hast not asked great wealth, nor glory, nor the life of thine enemies, and thou hast not asked long life; but hast asked for thyself wisdom and understanding, that thou mightest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ὁ Θεὸς πρὸς Σαλωμὼν, ἀνθʼ ὧν ἐγένετο τοῦτο ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου, καὶ οὐκ ᾐτήσω πλοῦτον χρημάτων, οὐδὲ δόξαν, οὐδὲ τὴν ψυχὴν τῶν ὑπεναντίων, καὶ ἡμέρας πολλὰς οὐκ ᾐτήσω, καὶ ᾔτησας σεαυτῷ σοφίαν καὶ σύνεσιν, ὅπως κρίνῃς τὸν λαόν μου, ἐφʼ ὃν ἐβασίλευσά σε ἐπʼ αὐτὸν,
KJVAnd 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:
JPSAnd God said to Solomon: ‘Because this was in thy heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of them that hate thee, 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;
12
ThomsonWisdom and understanding I now give thee: And I will give thee riches and wealth and glory, such as none of the kings who were before thee have had; nor shall any after thee have the like.
BrentonI give thee this wisdom and understanding; and I will give thee wealth, and riches, and glory, so that there shall not have been any like thee among the kings before thee, neither shall there be such after thee.
Greekτὴν σοφίαν καὶ τὴν σύνεσιν δίδωμί σοι, καὶ πλοῦτον καὶ χρήματα καὶ δόξαν δώσω σοι, ὡς οὐκ ἐγενήθη ὅμοιός σοι ἐν τοῖς βασιλεῦσι τοῖς ἔμπροσθέν σου, καὶ μετὰ σὲ οὐκ ἔσται οὕτως.
KJVWisdom 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.
JPSwisdom 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.’
13
ThomsonThen Solomon came to Jerusalem, from the high place at Gabaon, which is before the tabernacle of the testimony; and reigned over Israel.
BrentonAnd Solomon came from the high place that was in Gabaon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of witness, and reigned over Israel.
GreekΚαὶ ἦλθε Σαλωμὼν ἐκ βαμὰ τῆς ἐν Γαβαὼν εἰς Ἱερουσαλὴμ πρὸ προσώπου τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου, καὶ ἐβασίλευσεν ἐπὶ Ἰσραήλ.
KJVThen 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.
JPSSo Solomon came [from his journey] to the high place that was at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting, unto Jerusalem; and he reigned over Israel.
14
ThomsonAnd Solomon collected chariots, and horsemen, and he had fourteen hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. Those he left in the chariot cities; but the people were with the king in Jerusalem.
BrentonAnd Solomon collected chariots and horsemen: and he had fourteen hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen: and he set them in the cities of chariots, and the people were with the king in Jerusalem.
GreekΚαὶ συνήγαγε Σαλωμὼν ἅρματα καὶ ἱππεῖς, καὶ ἐγένοντο αὐτῷ χιλία καὶ τετρακόσια ἅρματα, καὶ δώδεκα χιλιάδες ἱππέων· καὶ κατέλιπεν αὐτὰ ἐν πόλεσι τῶν ἁρμάτων, καὶ ὁ λαὸς μετὰ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen; and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, that he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
15
ThomsonAnd the king made silver and gold as plenteous at Jerusalem as stones; and cedars in Juda, like the sycamore trees in the plain for abundance.
BrentonAnd the king made silver and gold in Jerusalem to be as stones, and cedars in Judea as sycamores in the plain for multitude.
GreekΚαὶ ἔθηκεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τὸ ἀργύριον καὶ τὸ χρυσίον ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ ὡς λίθους, καὶ τὰς κέδρους ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὡς συκαμίνους τὰς ἐν τῇ πεδινῇ εἰς πλῆθος.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd the king made silver and gold to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycamore-trees that are in the Lowland, for abundance.
16
ThomsonNow Solomon’s horses came up out of Egypt: and this was the price allowed to the king’s merchants for going.
BrentonAnd Solomon imported horses from Egypt, and the charge of the king's merchants for going was as follows, and they traded,
GreekΚαὶ ἡ ἔξοδος τῶν ἵππων Σαλωμὼν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου, καὶ ἡ τιμὴ τῶν ἐμπόρων τοῦ βασιλέως πορεύεσθαι, καὶ ἠγόραζον,
KJVAnd Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
JPSAnd the horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt; also out of Keve, the king’s merchants buying them of the men of Keve at a price.
17
ThomsonThey purchased, and came up, and brought out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. And at that rate they were brought for all the kings of the Chettites, and by their means for the kings of Syria.
Brentonand went and brought out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred pieces of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty pieces of silver: and so they brought for all the kings of the Chettites, and for the kings of Syria by their means.
Greekκαὶ ἐνέβαινον καὶ ἐξῆγον ἐξ Αἰγύπτου ἅρμα ἓν ἑξακοσίων ἀργυρίου, καὶ ἵππον πεντήκοντα καὶ ἑκατὸν ἀργυρίου· καὶ οὕτω πᾶσι τοῖς βασιλεῦσι τῶν Χετταίων καὶ τοῖς βασιλεῦσι Συρίας ἐν χερσὶν αὐτῶν ἔφερον.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd they fetched up, and brought out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty; and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of Aram, did they bring them out by their means.
18
ThomsonSOLOMON having determined to build a house for the name of the Lord, and a house for his kingdom,
BrentonAnd Solomon said that he would build a house to the name of the Lord, and a house for his kingdom.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαλωμὼν τοῦ οἰκοδομῆσαι οἶκον τῷ ὀνόματι Κυρίου, καὶ οἶκον τῷ βασιλείᾳ αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.
JPSNow Solomon purposed to build a house for the name of the LORD, and a house for his kingdom.