1 Kings 3
1 Kings 3 contains important events related to the early reign of King Solomon. This chapter is mainly divided into two parts: scenes of Solomon’s worship of God and his request for wisdom (verses 1–15), and the famous court case in which Solomon’s wisdom is demonstrated (verses 16–28).
1verseSolomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh’s daughter and brought her into David’s city until he had finished building his own house, the LORD’s house, and the wall around Jerusalem.
2verseHowever, the people sacrificed in the high places, because there was not yet a house built for the LORD’s name.
3verseSolomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, except that he sacrificed and burned incense in the high places.
4verseThe king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
5verseIn Gibeon, the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask for what I should give you.”
6verseSolomon said, “You have shown to your servant David my father great loving kindness, because he walked before you in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you. You have kept for him this great loving kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today.
7verseNow, LORD my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father. I am just a little child. I don’t know how to go out or come in.
8verseYour servant is among your people which you have chosen, a great people, that can’t be numbered or counted for multitude.
9verseGive your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this great people of yours?”
10verseThis request pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11verseGod said to him, “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have you asked for riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice,
12versebehold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, and after you none will arise like you.
13verseI have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you for all your days.
14verseIf you will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
15verseSolomon awoke; and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the LORD’s covenant, and offered up burnt offerings, offered peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
16verseThen two women who were prostitutes came to the king, and stood before him.
17verseThe one woman said, “Oh, my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house. I delivered a child with her in the house.
18verseThe third day after I delivered, this woman delivered also. We were together. There was no stranger with us in the house, just us two in the house.
19verseThis woman’s child died in the night, because she lay on it.
20verseShe arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me while your servant slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.
21verseWhen I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, he was dead; but when I had looked at him in the morning, behold, it was not my son whom I bore.”
22verseThe other woman said, “No! But the living one is my son, and the dead one is your son.” The first one said, “No! But the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son.” They argued like this before the king.
23verseThen the king said, “One says, ‘This is my son who lives, and your son is the dead one;’ and the other says, ‘No! But your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’”
24verseThe king said, “Get me a sword.” So they brought a sword before the king.
25verseThe king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.”
26verseThen the woman whose the living child was spoke to the king, for her heart yearned over her son, and she said, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and in no way kill him!” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours. Divide him.”
27verseThen the king answered, “Give the first woman the living child, and definitely do not kill him. She is his mother.”
28verseAll 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 justice.
Solomon’s Dedication and Prayer (3:1–15)
- Ruling and marriage in Jerusalem: Solomon marries the daughter of Pharaoh, a pagan king. This was done as part of a political alliance in the context of international relations at the time (verse 1).
- Worship at the high places: In Israel, the temple had not yet been built, so the people offered sacrifices at the high places. Solomon also offers a thousand burnt offerings at the high place in Gibeon (verses 2–4).
- Asking God for wisdom: When God appears to Solomon in a dream and asks what he desires, Solomon asks not for wealth, long life, or the life of his enemies, but for “wisdom to judge your people correctly” (verses 5–9).
- God’s response and the promise: God praises Solomon’s humility and right choice, and promises not only wisdom, but also riches and honor, and that he will also grant long life if Solomon follows God’s ways (verses 10–15).
Solomon’s Wisdom in the Judgment (3:16–28)
- Two women and a child: An incident occurs in which two prostitutes each claim the same baby as their own (verses 16–22).
- A wise verdict: Solomon orders that the child be cut in half, revealing the true mother’s heart. In the end, the true mother saves the child’s life, and the judgment is carried out (verses 23–27).
- The people’s reaction: All Israel is amazed at this verdict and is impressed by Solomon’s wisdom (verse 28).
The Meaning of the Whole Chapter
This chapter shows the importance of an attitude that seeks true humility and wisdom before God. For responsible leadership, Solomon first asks God for what is needed. It also shows in a specific way how that wisdom can be revealed in real life. In this way, you can reflect on what a life should be like in which you ask God for wisdom and then, with the wisdom you receive, practice love and justice.
Points to Ponder
- What Solomon asked for was not wealth or power, but wisdom to carry out the mission he had been entrusted with well. You can also think about what value you should seek first in the midst of everyday problems and responsibilities.
- Solomon’s wisdom was connected to the fear of God. You can reflect again on where the source of true wisdom is.
Apply It to Yourself
- Among the tasks and responsibilities I have to handle, ask in prayer what is the most important thing needed right now.
- Think about what mindset and attitude are needed for me to make wise judgments in a situation of conflict, and I hope it becomes a time to seek God’s help.
