1 And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.
2 Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days.
3 And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that [was] the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.
5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as [it is] this day.
7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I [am but] a little child: I know not [how] to go out or come in.
8 And thy servant [is] in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
15 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, [it was] a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.
16 Then came there two women, [that were] harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.
17 And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.
18 And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we [were] together; [there was] no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.
19 And this woman’s child died in the night; because she overlaid it.
20 And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.
21 And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.
22 And the other woman said, Nay; but the living [is] my son, and the dead [is] thy son. And this said, No; but the dead [is] thy son, and the living [is] my son. Thus they spake before the king.
23 Then said the king, The one saith, This [is] my son that liveth, and thy son [is] the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son [is] the dead, and my son [is] the living.
24 And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.
25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.
26 Then spake the woman whose the living child [was] unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, [but] divide [it].
27 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she [is] the mother thereof.
28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God [was] in him, to do judgment.
Solomon’s Request for Wisdom
1 Kings Chapter 3 begins with a pivotal moment in the reign of King Solomon, the son of David. After establishing his kingdom and forming alliances, Solomon goes to Gibeon to offer sacrifices and seek divine guidance.
Setting the Scene
Gibeon was known for its high place, where significant sacrifices were made. Solomon’s choice to go there signifies his desire to honor God and seek wisdom for his kingship.
- Gibeon as a significant religious site
- Solomon’s commitment to worship and sacrifice
- The importance of seeking divine guidance in leadership
God’s Appearance and Solomon’s Humility
While at Gibeon, God appears to Solomon in a dream and offers him anything he desires. This moment reflects God’s generosity and the unique position Solomon holds as the new king.
- God’s question: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
- Solomon’s humble response, acknowledging his youth and inexperience.
- His request for wisdom to govern the people effectively.
Significance of Solomon’s Request
Solomon’s choice to ask for wisdom instead of wealth or long life demonstrates his understanding of the responsibilities of leadership and his commitment to serving his people justly.
- Wisdom as a key attribute for a ruler
- The contrast between earthly desires and spiritual priorities
- Implications for effective governance
God’s Response
God is pleased with Solomon’s request and grants him wisdom beyond measure, as well as riches and honor, which he did not ask for. This response highlights the principle that prioritizing spiritual wisdom leads to additional blessings.
- The granting of wisdom: “I will give you a wise and discerning heart.”
- The promise of wealth and honor as a bonus for his humility.
- The establishment of Solomon’s legacy as a wise king.
The Test of Wisdom: The Two Mothers
The chapter culminates in a famous story that illustrates Solomon’s wisdom. Two women come to him, each claiming to be the mother of a baby. Solomon’s solution to propose dividing the child reveals his deep understanding of human nature and the true love of a mother.
- The dilemma presented by the two women
- Solomon’s proposed solution: a test of true motherhood
- The outcome: the real mother’s willingness to give up her claim to save her child
Implications of Solomon’s Wisdom
The resolution of the case leads to widespread recognition of Solomon’s wisdom. This event not only solidifies his reputation but also serves as a testament to the effectiveness of divine wisdom in leadership.
- The people’s reaction: “They held the king in awe.”
- The establishment of Solomon’s authority and legitimacy as king.
- The role of wisdom in fostering justice and compassion.
Conclusion
1 Kings Chapter 3 encapsulates the essence of Solomon’s reign, highlighting the importance of wisdom in leadership. Solomon’s humble request and God’s generous response set the stage for a kingdom characterized by prosperity and justice, demonstrating that true wisdom is rooted in humility and a desire to serve others.
