1 Kings Chapter 3

At a Glance

  • The pivotal scene in 1 Kings 3 is the famous Dream at Gibeon, where Solomon, newly seated as king, confronts a defining moment of wisdom.
  • Historically & Literary Context.
  • 1 Kings 3 sits at the dawn of Solomon’s reign and is a cornerstone of biblical wisdom literature embedded within a royal narrative.
  • - Wisdom as the highest good: Solomon’s choice prioritizes discernment and justice.
  • - Divine provision and gracious response: God grants wisdom and clarity in governance alongside material blessing.

Chapter Overview

The pivotal scene in 1 Kings 3 is the famous Dream at Gibeon, where Solomon, newly seated as king, confronts a defining moment of wisdom. After a tumultuous start in which Solomon’s early decisions reveal both humility and a longing to govern well, the Lord appears to Solomon and offers to grant whatever he asks. Solomon’s request is striking: not long life, not riches, but “an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad.” Pleased by this request, God grants Solomon extraordinary wisdom, unparalleled judgment, and also promises wealth and honor. The chapter unfolds with a practical application of wisdom in governance: two women come to Solomon with a dispute over a live infant. Solomon’s proposed test—cutting the baby in half—exposes the true mother’s identity and provides a dramatic, humane resolution that reveals Solomon’s discernment and sensitivity to justice. Solomon’s fame begins to spread as the people perceive a king endowed with divine wisdom.

Historically & Literary Context

1 Kings 3 sits at the dawn of Solomon’s reign and is a cornerstone of biblical wisdom literature embedded within a royal narrative. The event at Gibeon crystallizes the book’s theme: wisdom as the central resource for ruling a nation that must live under God’s law. The narrative blends miracle-like divine intervention with keen human insight, presenting a model for what true wisdom looks like—perception beyond appearances, prioritization of the common good, and a humble request for the right thing from God. This chapter sets the trajectory for Solomon’s future judgments and the prosperity that follows, while also foreshadowing the eventual limits of human wisdom when it departs from faithfulness.

Key Themes

- Wisdom as the highest good: Solomon’s choice prioritizes discernment and justice.

- Divine provision and gracious response: God grants wisdom and clarity in governance alongside material blessing.

- Humility in leadership: The king’s posture of dependence on God marks a model for rulers.

- Judgment and fair discernment: The infant case demonstrates how wisdom exposes truth and fosters justice.

- The moral weight of leadership: A king’s decisions shape national flourishing or decline.

Modern Application

1 Kings 3 invites contemporary readers to value and seek wisdom in leadership, families, and communities. In a world of quick answers and polarized opinions, the chapter presents a template for prudent decision-making rooted in God’s character. It also highlights the importance of asking for the right things in moments of power: not personal gain, but capacity to serve others righteously. The infant judgment story can be read as a meditation on discernment, empathy, and the moral authority that comes with wisdom. Practically, this means leaders listening well, valuing counsel, and prioritizing the welfare of the vulnerable. It also calls believers to ask God for wisdom in everyday choices—ethics at work, conflict resolution, and governance of resources—trusting that God, who grants wisdom, will guide with integrity.

Cross-References

- Proverbs 2-3 (the value and source of wisdom)

- Psalm 111:10; Job 28 (wisdom’s fear of the Lord and its costs)

- James 1:5 (New Testament reflection on asking for wisdom)

- Ecclesiastes 1-2 (limits and weight of human wisdom)

Recommended Personas

- Solomon: The king whose wisdom becomes a defining gift and challenge.

- David: The father-king who entrusted governance and prayed for wisdom for his successor.

- The Wisdom Literature voice (Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes): Provides thematic resonance on wisdom’s nature and limits.

- The Prophet or Counselor: A contemporary guide who helps interpret wisdom for modern governance and personal decision-making.

- Jesus (as fulfillment of divine wisdom): Offers deeper insight into how divine wisdom functions in leadership and mercy.

Chapter Text

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.

Discuss This Chapter with Biblical Personas

Explore 1 Kings Chapter 3 with Biblical figures who can provide unique perspectives grounded in Scripture.

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