Read chapter 1
We start the second book of Chronciles, the history of the kings of Israel from the Divine viewpoint. As King David died in the last chapter of 1st Chronicles we start with the reign of his son Solomon as king. God appears to Solomon at night after he had made a thousand burnt offering at the alter. God asks Solomon to ask for whatever he wants; kind of sounds like a genie in a lamp. Yet what Solomon asks for isn't what you'd typically think like for riches or popularity or death of enemies, but asks for wisdom and knowledge that he may lead the people of Israel well. What a genius thing to ask! Wisdom and knowledge would save me a lot of stress for sure due to the various people I lead and the indecisiveness tendencies I have in so many situations. This also was a request not for Solomon's own gain but gain for everyone else as being led by someone that had wisdom direct from God. How often do our wishes only gain for ourselves than others? This wisdom and knowledge is gain not only for this life but benefits in the one to come unlike any material gift. Matthew Henry puts it:
Those that make this world their end, come short of the other, and are disappointed in this also; but those that make the other world their end, shall not only obtain that, and full satisfaction in it, but shall have as much of this world as is good for them, in their way. Let us then be contented, without those great things which men generally covet, but which commonly prove fatal snares to the soul.
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