2 Chronicles 1:1-6

Why does Solomon go to Gibeon when the ark is in Jerusalem?

Berean Standard Bible

1 Now Solomon son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and highly exalted him. 2 Then Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to every leader in all Israel—the heads of the families. 3 And Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon because it was the location of God’s Tent of Meeting, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness. 4 Now David had brought the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. 5 But the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, was in Gibeon before the tabernacle of the LORD. So Solomon and the assembly inquired of Him there. 6 Solomon offered sacrifices there before the LORD on the bronze altar at the Tent of Meeting, where he offered a thousand burnt offerings.

What is the context?

Solomon’s reign begins with the Lord’s support and his gathering of Israel’s leaders. He and the assembly go to Gibeon to seek God and offer sacrifices.

The account explains the location carefully: the Tent of Meeting made in the wilderness and Bezalel’s bronze altar are at Gibeon, while David has brought the ark into a prepared tent in Jerusalem.

The separated locations belong to this stage of the history before the completed temple. The reference to a high place here should not automatically be treated as an account of worshiping another god.

How is this passage commonly understood?

The USCCB note understands the tabernacle and altar notices as explaining Solomon’s worship at Gibeon. Wesley similarly reads the journey as seeking the Lord through prayer and sacrifice. 1 Chronicles 16:37–40 has already described the arrangements in Jerusalem and Gibeon.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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