Bible Commentaries
1 Kings 3

Introduction

Overview

1 Kings 3:1, Solomon marries Pharaoh’s daughter; 1 Kings 3:2, High places being in use, Solomon sacrifices at Gibeon; 1 Kings 3:5, Solomon at Gibeon, in the choice which God gave him, preferring wisdom, obtains wisdom, riches, and honour; 1 Kings 3:16, Solomon’s judgment makes him renowned.

Verse 1

am 2990, bc 1014, An, Ex, Is, 477

affinity: 2 Chronicles 18:1, Ezra 9:14

and took: 1 Kings 7:8, 1 Kings 9:24, 1 Kings 11:1

the city: 2 Samuel 5:7, 1 Chronicles 11:7

his own: 1 Kings 7:1-12

the house: 1 Kings 6:1-38, 1 Kings 7:13-15, 2 Chronicles 2:1 - 2 Chronicles 4:22, Ezra 5:11

the wall: 1 Kings 9:15-19

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:15 - princes 1 Kings 2:10 - the city 1 Kings 9:16 - daughter 1 Chronicles 4:18 - Bithiah 2 Chronicles 8:11 - brought up

Verse 2

the people: It was not right to offer sacrifices in any place but where the tabernacle and ark were; and wherever they were, whether on a high place or a plain, sacrifices might be lawfully offered, previously to building of the temple. The tabernacle was now at Gibeon - 2 Chronicles 1:3, which was therefore called the great high place; whither we find Solomon, without censure, repaired to sacrifice. 1 Kings 22:43, Leviticus 17:3-6, Leviticus 26:30, Deuteronomy 12:2-5, 2 Chronicles 33:17

was no: 1 Kings 5:3, 1 Chronicles 17:4-6, 1 Chronicles 28:3-6, Acts 7:47-49

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 9:12 - the high place 1 Kings 14:23 - built 2 Kings 18:4 - removed 2 Chronicles 15:17 - the high places

Verse 3

loved: Deuteronomy 6:5, Deuteronomy 10:12, Deuteronomy 30:6, Deuteronomy 30:16, Deuteronomy 30:20, 2 Samuel 12:24, 2 Samuel 12:25, Psalms 31:23, Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:29, Mark 12:30, Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 8:3, James 1:12, James 2:5, 1 John 4:19, 1 John 4:20, 1 John 5:2, 1 John 5:3

walking: 1 Kings 3:6, 1 Kings 3:14, 1 Kings 2:3, 1 Kings 2:4, 1 Kings 11:34, 1 Kings 15:3, 1 Chronicles 28:8, 1 Chronicles 28:9, 2 Chronicles 17:3-5, John 14:15, John 14:21

only he: 1 Kings 15:14, 1 Kings 22:43, 2 Kings 12:3, 2 Kings 14:4, 2 Kings 15:4, 2 Kings 15:35, 2 Kings 18:4, 2 Kings 18:22

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 14:4 - Solomon

Verse 4

Gibeon: 1 Kings 9:2, Joshua 9:3, Joshua 10:2, 1 Chronicles 16:39, 1 Chronicles 21:29, 2 Chronicles 1:3, 2 Chronicles 1:7-12

a thousand: 1 Kings 8:63, 2 Chronicles 1:6, 2 Chronicles 7:5, 2 Chronicles 29:32-35, 2 Chronicles 30:24, Isaiah 40:16, Micah 6:6, Micah 6:7

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:18 - a burnt offering Joshua 18:25 - Gibeon 1 Samuel 13:9 - he offered 1 Kings 8:4 - and the 2 Kings 16:15 - the king's burnt Ezekiel 46:12 - a voluntary

Verse 5

the Lord: 1 Kings 9:2

in a dream: Genesis 28:12, Genesis 28:13, Numbers 12:6, Job 33:14, Job 33:15, Matthew 1:20, Matthew 2:13, Matthew 2:19

Ask what: 2 Chronicles 1:7-12, Matthew 7:7, Matthew 7:8, Mark 10:36, Mark 10:38-51, Mark 11:24, John 14:13, John 14:14, John 15:16, James 1:5, James 1:6, 1 John 5:14, 1 John 5:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:10 - a dream Genesis 31:24 - dream Genesis 37:5 - dreamed Joshua 10:41 - Gibeon Joshua 18:25 - Gibeon 1 Kings 11:9 - which had appeared 1 Chronicles 14:4 - Solomon Nehemiah 2:4 - For what Esther 5:3 - What Psalms 72:2 - He shall Proverbs 4:8 - General Proverbs 30:7 - have Zechariah 1:8 - by night Matthew 20:21 - What Luke 18:41 - What 1 Corinthians 12:8 - is given

Verse 6

thy servant: Numbers 12:7, 2 Samuel 7:5

great: 2 Samuel 7:8-12, 2 Samuel 12:7, 2 Samuel 12:8, 2 Samuel 22:47-51, 1 Chronicles 29:12-14, Psalms 78:70-72

mercy: or, bounty, Psalms 13:6, Psalms 116:7, Psalms 119:17, 2 Corinthians 9:5, 2 Corinthians 9:11

according: 1 Kings 2:4, 1 Kings 9:4, 1 Kings 15:5, 2 Kings 20:3, Psalms 15:2, Psalms 18:20-24

that: 1 Kings 1:48

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:9 - and Noah Genesis 17:1 - walk Genesis 48:15 - did walk 1 Kings 2:24 - set me 1 Kings 3:3 - walking 1 Kings 8:23 - walk before 2 Kings 22:2 - walked 1 Chronicles 4:18 - Bithiah 1 Chronicles 28:9 - the God 2 Chronicles 6:10 - I am risen 2 Chronicles 6:14 - walk before Psalms 78:72 - guided Proverbs 14:2 - that walketh Proverbs 15:14 - heart Ecclesiastes 7:11 - good with an inheritance Ecclesiastes 12:1 - Remember Jeremiah 4:2 - in truth Matthew 20:2 - he sent 3 John 1:4 - walk

Verse 7

thou hast: Daniel 2:21, Daniel 4:25, Daniel 4:32, Daniel 5:18, Daniel 5:21

a little: 1 Chronicles 29:1, Job 32:6-8, Ecclesiastes 10:16, Jeremiah 1:6, Matthew 18:3, Matthew 18:4

to go: Numbers 27:17, Deuteronomy 31:2, 1 Samuel 18:16, 2 Samuel 5:2, Psalms 121:8, John 10:3, John 10:4, John 10:9

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:11 - General Deuteronomy 1:12 - General Judges 11:11 - uttered 1 Kings 1:37 - As the 1 Kings 2:2 - and show 1 Kings 2:24 - set me 1 Chronicles 4:10 - God granted 1 Chronicles 22:5 - Solomon 2 Chronicles 1:9 - for thou hast 2 Chronicles 6:10 - I am risen 2 Chronicles 34:1 - eight years Isaiah 3:4 - children Matthew 18:2 - General Acts 1:21 - went Acts 9:28 - coming James 1:5 - any

Verse 8

thy people: Exodus 19:5, Exodus 19:6, Deuteronomy 7:6-8, 1 Samuel 12:22, Psalms 78:71

cannot: Genesis 13:16, Genesis 15:5, Genesis 22:17, 1 Chronicles 21:2, 1 Chronicles 21:5, 1 Chronicles 21:6, 1 Chronicles 27:23, 1 Chronicles 27:24

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:2 - General Exodus 18:17 - not good 1 Kings 4:20 - as the sand 2 Kings 9:6 - over the people 2 Chronicles 1:9 - for thou hast Daniel 2:21 - he giveth

Verse 9

Give therefore: 1 Chronicles 22:12, 1 Chronicles 29:19, 2 Chronicles 1:10, Psalms 119:34, Psalms 119:73, Psalms 119:144, Proverbs 2:3-9, Proverbs 3:13-18, Proverbs 16:16, James 1:5, James 3:17

understanding: Heb. hearing, Proverbs 20:12

to judge: 1 Kings 3:28, Psalms 72:1, Psalms 72:2, Proverbs 14:8, Ecclesiastes 7:11, Ecclesiastes 7:19, Ecclesiastes 9:15-18, John 5:30

discern: 2 Samuel 14:17, Isaiah 11:2-4, 1 Corinthians 2:14, 1 Corinthians 2:15, Ephesians 5:17, Philippians 1:10,*Gr: Hebrews 5:14

who is able: Exodus 3:11, Exodus 3:12, Exodus 4:10-13, Jeremiah 1:6, Matthew 3:11, Matthew 3:14, 2 Corinthians 2:16, 2 Corinthians 3:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:2 - General Exodus 18:17 - not good Exodus 18:21 - able men Exodus 31:3 - filled Deuteronomy 34:9 - full of the spirit 1 Kings 3:11 - discern 1 Kings 5:7 - a wise son 1 Kings 7:7 - of judgment 1 Kings 10:24 - which God 2 Kings 2:9 - Elisha said 2 Kings 15:5 - judging 1 Chronicles 11:2 - ruler 2 Chronicles 32:4 - find Job 28:12 - General Psalms 119:66 - Teach me Proverbs 1:2 - General Proverbs 2:6 - the Lord Proverbs 8:15 - decree Proverbs 18:15 - General Proverbs 25:2 - the honour Ecclesiastes 10:10 - wisdom Isaiah 11:3 - and he shall not Daniel 9:12 - our judges Matthew 12:42 - hear Romans 16:19 - yet 1 Corinthians 3:10 - as a Colossians 3:16 - all

Verse 10

pleased: Proverbs 15:8

Verse 11

hast not: Psalms 4:6, Proverbs 16:31, Matthew 20:21, Matthew 20:22, Romans 8:26, James 4:2, James 4:3

long life: Heb. many days

discern: Heb. hear, 1 Kings 3:9, *marg.

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 1:11 - this was Ezra 8:16 - men of understanding Psalms 119:173 - for Ecclesiastes 7:23 - I said Matthew 6:33 - seek Luke 12:31 - General 1 Timothy 2:8 - without Hebrews 5:14 - to discern James 1:5 - any

Verse 12

I have done: Psalms 10:17, Isaiah 65:24, Romans 8:26, Romans 8:27, 1 John 5:14, 1 John 5:15

I have given: 1 Kings 3:28, 1 Kings 2:6, 1 Kings 2:9, 1 Kings 4:29-34, 1 Kings 5:12, 1 Kings 10:3-8, 1 Kings 10:23, 1 Kings 10:24, 2 Chronicles 1:11, 2 Chronicles 1:12, 2 Chronicles 2:12, 2 Chronicles 9:5-8, Ecclesiastes 1:13, Ecclesiastes 1:16, Luke 21:15

neither: Matthew 12:42, Colossians 2:3

Reciprocal: Exodus 31:6 - wise hearted Exodus 35:35 - he filled Deuteronomy 34:9 - full of the spirit 1 Kings 4:31 - wiser 2 Chronicles 9:2 - there 2 Chronicles 9:22 - passed all the kings Job 32:8 - the inspiration Psalms 119:173 - for Proverbs 2:6 - the Lord Proverbs 16:21 - wise Ecclesiastes 2:9 - General Ecclesiastes 2:15 - even to me Ecclesiastes 7:23 - I said Daniel 1:17 - God James 1:5 - any James 3:17 - the wisdom 2 Peter 3:15 - according

Verse 13

And I: Psalms 84:11, Psalms 84:12, Matthew 6:33, Romans 8:32, 1 Corinthians 3:22, 1 Corinthians 3:23, Ephesians 3:20

riches: 1 Kings 4:21-24, 1 Kings 10:23-29, Proverbs 3:16

shall not be: or, hath not been

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 3:18 - And this 1 Chronicles 17:17 - hast regarded 1 Chronicles 29:25 - bestowed 2 Chronicles 9:22 - passed all the kings Nehemiah 13:26 - yet among Ecclesiastes 1:16 - Lo Ecclesiastes 5:19 - to whom Ecclesiastes 6:2 - a man

Verse 14

if thou: 1 Kings 2:3, 1 Kings 2:4, 1 Chronicles 22:12, 1 Chronicles 22:13, 1 Chronicles 28:9, 2 Chronicles 7:17-19, Psalms 132:12, Zechariah 3:7

as thy: 1 Kings 3:3, 1 Kings 9:4, 1 Kings 9:5, 1 Kings 15:5, 2 Chronicles 17:3, 2 Chronicles 17:4, 2 Chronicles 29:2, 2 Chronicles 34:2, Acts 13:22

I will lengthen: Deuteronomy 5:16, Deuteronomy 25:15, Psalms 21:4, Psalms 91:16, Proverbs 3:2, Proverbs 3:16, 1 Timothy 4:8

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 6:12 - if thou wilt 1 Kings 11:33 - they have forsaken 1 Kings 11:38 - if thou wilt 1 Kings 14:8 - my servant David 1 Kings 15:3 - and his heart 2 Kings 16:2 - did not 2 Kings 18:3 - according

Verse 15

awoke: Genesis 41:7, Jeremiah 31:26

before: 2 Samuel 6:17, 1 Chronicles 16:1, 1 Chronicles 16:2

peace offerings: 1 Kings 8:63, 1 Kings 8:65, Leviticus 3:1-17, Leviticus 7:11-19, 2 Samuel 6:18, 2 Samuel 6:19, 2 Chronicles 7:5, 2 Chronicles 7:7-10, 2 Chronicles 30:22-26

a feast: Genesis 31:54, Genesis 40:20, Esther 1:3, Daniel 5:1, Mark 6:21

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:8 - feast Genesis 41:4 - So Pharaoh awoke 1 Kings 8:1 - out of the city

Verse 16

two women: Leviticus 19:29, Deuteronomy 23:17, Joshua 2:1

harlots: The word zanoth, rendered harlots, is here translated by the Targumist, the best judge in this case, pundekon, "tavern-keepers." See note on Joshua 2:1, and see note on Judges 11:1. Had these women been harlots, it is not likely that they would have dared to appear before Solomon; nor is it likely that such persons would have been permitted in the reign of David. Their husbands might at this time have been following their necessary occupations in distant parts.

stood: Exodus 18:13, Exodus 18:16, Numbers 27:2

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:26 - the hard causes Deuteronomy 17:8 - arise 2 Samuel 15:2 - came 2 Chronicles 32:4 - find Job 9:33 - that might Job 29:16 - the cause

Verse 17

O my lord: Genesis 43:20, Romans 13:7

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 32:4 - find

Verse 20

midnight: Job 24:13-17, Psalms 139:11, Matthew 13:25, John 3:20

took: 1 Kings 3:21

Verse 21

give: Genesis 21:7, 1 Samuel 1:23, Lamentations 4:3, Lamentations 4:4

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 3:20 - took

Verse 22

Nay: 1 Kings 3:23, 1 Kings 3:24

Verse 23

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 3:22 - Nay Proverbs 15:28 - heart

Verse 24

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 3:22 - Nay

Verse 25

Divide: This was apparently a very strange decision; but Solomon saw that the only way to discover the real mother was by the affection and tenderness should would necessarily shew to her offspring. The plan was tried, and succeeded; and it was a proof of his sound judgment, penetration, and acquaintance with the human heart, or rather, of his extraordinary and supernatural wisdom. See note on 1 Kings 3:28. The two following instances are in some faint manner to be compared to Solomon's decision, inasmuch as they also work upon the human sympathies. Suetonius, in his Life of the emperor Claudian, tells us, that this emperor discovered a woman to be the real mother of a young man, whom she refused to acknowledge, by commanding her to marry him, the proofs being doubtful on both sides; for, rather than commit incest, she confessed the truth. Diodorus Siculus also informs us, that Ariopharnes, king of Thrace, being appointed to decided between three young men, each of whom professed to be the son of the deceased king of the Cimmerians, and claimed the succession, discovered the real son by ordering each to shoot an arrow into the dead body of the king: two of them did this without hesitation; but the real son of the deceased monarch refused. Proverbs 25:8

Verse 26

her bowels: Genesis 43:30, Isaiah 49:15, Jeremiah 31:20, Hosea 11:8, Philippians 1:8, Philippians 2:1, 1 John 3:17

yearned: Heb. were hot, Psalms 39:3

give her: Romans 1:31, 2 Timothy 3:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:16 - Let 2 Kings 6:29 - she hath hid Job 39:16 - as Song of Solomon 5:4 - my bowels 2 Corinthians 7:15 - inward affection is

Verse 27

Reciprocal: Job 39:16 - as Isaiah 49:15 - a woman

Verse 28

feared: Exodus 14:31, Joshua 4:14, 1 Samuel 12:18, 1 Chronicles 29:24, Proverbs 24:21

the wisdom: 1 Kings 3:9-12, Ezra 7:25, Ecclesiastes 7:19, Daniel 2:21, Daniel 2:47, Daniel 5:11, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Colossians 2:3

in him: Heb. in the midst of him

to do: Psalms 72:2, Psalms 72:4

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 14:17 - to discern 1 Kings 2:9 - wise 1 Kings 3:12 - I have given 1 Kings 3:25 - Divide 1 Kings 4:29 - God 1 Kings 7:7 - of judgment 1 Kings 10:4 - Solomon's 1 Kings 10:24 - which God 2 Kings 15:5 - judging 2 Chronicles 1:11 - that thou mayest 2 Chronicles 9:8 - to do judgment 2 Chronicles 9:23 - God 2 Chronicles 15:9 - they saw Esther 1:19 - that is better Job 32:8 - the inspiration Psalms 72:5 - They shall Psalms 78:72 - guided Psalms 119:66 - Teach me Proverbs 1:3 - equity Proverbs 8:15 - decree Isaiah 11:3 - and he shall not Isaiah 28:6 - for a spirit Daniel 1:17 - God Matthew 12:42 - hear Colossians 3:16 - all James 3:17 - the wisdom 2 Peter 3:15 - according