2 Chronicles 1 Devotional

Leading a People Not His Own

“Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?””2 Chronicles 1:10 (BSB)

Solomon's reign opens with worship. He leads the whole assembly to Gibeon, where the bronze altar made in Moses' day still stands, and offers a thousand burnt offerings there (1:3-6). That night God invites him to ask for whatever he wants (1:7).

Chronicles records how Solomon frames his answer. He begins with what God has already done: shown steadfast love to David and made Solomon king in his place (1:8). He asks God to keep his promise to David (1:9). And when he asks for wisdom and knowledge, he gives a telling reason. The people are not really his. They are a great people who belong to God, and no one can govern them without help (1:10). God grants the request and adds riches and honor beyond any king before or after (1:11-12). Whatever responsibility rests on you today, the people in it belong to God before they are placed in your care. He is the one who first shows love, keeps his promises, and gives the wisdom his own people need.

To think about: Who has God placed in your care, and how might your prayers change if you remembered that they belong to him first?