Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Chronicles 1:2

"And Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every prince in all Israel, the heads of the fathers` [houses]." — 2 Chronicles 1:2 (ASV)

Then Solomon spake unto all Israel. —Or, commanded all Israel (1 Chronicles 21:17; 2 Samuel 16:11; 2 Kings 1:11; Vulgate, prœcepit).

To the captains of thousands ... chief of the fathers. —This is an apposition, explaining what is meant by “all Israel” in the first clause, namely, the national representatives. The account in Kings allows only one verse for the sacrifice, and so omits to mention that the princes took part in it (1 Kings 3:4). The fact, however, is likely in itself. (Compare the similar assemblies under David, 1 Chronicles 13:1; 1 Chronicles 23:2; 1 Chronicles 28:1.)

Every governor. —Hebrew nûsî’, prince, emir of a tribe, or chief of a clan. (Numbers 7:10; 1 Kings 8:1.)

The chief of the fathers. —The heads of the clans. This defines the preceding phrase.