What Does 2 Chronicles 1:7 Mean in the King James?

In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.

2 Chronicles 1:7 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The gift begins as a question: before anything is placed in your hands, you are invited to name it.

THE MEANING

God’s presence meets you with an open question: what do you ask to receive? The verse leaves the gift unnamed until you answer, making your request part of the exchange.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The belief that divine generosity leaves you no voice in what you need is undone here: the invitation is to ask.

THE ROOT

אֶתֵּן

ʾetten

GROWS FROM

נתן

Give, put, set, or place.

The verb translated “give” can also mean to put or place. The same root appears in Solomon’s reply in verse 10, so the exchange is also about what will be placed in his care.

ALSO GROWS

natan: To give, put, or set

נָתַן

This root holds both giving and placing, deepening what God’s question means by “give.”

mattanah: Gift or present

מַתָּנָה

The noun for a gift grows from the same root: what is given is what gets placed into someone’s hands.

שְׁאַל

she’al

GROWS FROM

שאל

Ask, inquire, or request; in some forms, borrow.

“Ask” in this verse is she’al. The question gives Solomon room to specify what he seeks. A related form names something as “asked-for,” so the request and the thing requested belong to the same word-family.

ALSO GROWS

she’elah: Request or question

שְׁאֵלָה

The noun makes explicit that asking here is a formed request, not merely speaking.

sha’ul: Asked-for

שָׁאוּל

This related form shows how the root can name what is sought in the act of asking.

THE PATTERN

The invitation to ask is paired with an act of giving, making the request part of how the gift is received.

Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Psalm 2:8 · KJVThe same Hebrew roots for “ask” and “give” join the request to what is given.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matthew 7:7 · KJVAsking is directly paired with receiving, while seeking and knocking continue the pattern of response.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

James 1:5 · KJVThe request for wisdom meets generosity, and the verse repeats that it will be given.

THE THREAD

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?

2 Chronicles 1:10 · KJV

The same root ⁨נתן⁩ (natan, give or place) appears in God’s question and Solomon’s reply. The open invitation becomes a specific request for wisdom and knowledge to serve the people.

This reading is from Selah Verse.

You can read any verse this way in the app, keep it as a card, and send it on.

Get Selah Verse

A Bible app where you send verses from your keyboard and in Messages, and every verse has a Deep Dive.

Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us