Definition: And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God [was] with him, and magnified him exceedingly.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 1:1. It’s a really important passage about God’s role in building a powerful temple! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says that after Solomon, the king of Israel, was given a very special and influential position, God was actively involved in helping him succeed and make his kingdom even more successful. Let's unpack it further: “And Solomon the son of David” : This refers to Solomon, who was a wise and capable king. He was known for building impressive structures. “was strengthened in his kingdom” : This means that Solomon’s reign was going well and he was doing a good job ruling. His kingdom was flourishing. “and the LORD his God [was] with him” : This is the crucial part! It means that God wasn't just present during Solomon's reign, but actively supported him. He was a partner in his success. “and magnified him exceedingly” : This is the most important part. "Magnified" means to make something bigger or better. So, God didn’t just help Solomon – He made him much more successful than any other king before him. He increased his power, influence, and accomplishments significantly. In a nutshell, this verse tells us that God chose Solomon as king and actively worked alongside him to ensure his kingdom thrived. It's a powerful statement about God’s faithfulness and His desire for good things to happen in the world. Think of it like this: God wanted a strong and successful kingdom for Israel, and He made sure Solomon was given the opportunity and support he needed to achieve that goal. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you some context about the time period when this verse was written? Discuss what this verse might teach us about God's relationship with humanity?