“Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it. he put: or, was there”
Sought it: went (Menochius) to offer sacrifice, (Tirinus) in the second year of his reign, the year before Christ 1013.
“And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.”
Victims. Hebrew, “holocausts,” either with his own hand, or by the ministry of the priests. See 1 Kings xiii. 12. (Calmet)
“In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.”
Night, after the victims had been offered. On this occasion, Solomon made this prayer, and was heard, 3 Kings iii. 5. (Calmet)
“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?”
People, as a king ought to do. (Menochius)
“Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel.”
Before. Hebrew and Septuagint, “from before the tabernacle,” which was at Gabaon. There was another at Jerusalem, where (Haydock) Solomon rendered homage to the Lord. (Calmet)
“And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.”
Chariots. See 3 Kings iv. 26. No king of Israel kept such a multitude of horses. (Calmet)
“And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the vale for abundance. made: Heb. gave”
Sycamores are trees of small value, and not good for building. (Tirinus)
“And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price. Solomon: Heb. the going forth of the horses which was Solomon's”
Coa may signify either some city, (Mariana) or an “emporium,” where things are sold, as kuch means “a collection.” (Tirinus) (3 Kings x. 28.) Neglecting the points of the Masorets, we may well understand Coa, a city of Egypt, or an island of the Mediterranean. The Masorets read Mikve, instead of Micoa. (Du Hamel)