1 Kings 3:4
1 Kings 3:4 in Multiple Translations
Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for it was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar there.
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.
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.
And the king went to Gibeon to make an offering there, because that was the chief high place: it was Solomon's way to make a thousand burned offerings on that altar.
The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for it was the leading high place. Solomon presented one thousand burnt offerings on the altar there.
And the King went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the chiefe hie place: a thousand burnt offrings did Salomon offer vpon that altar.
and the king goeth to Gibeon, to sacrifice there, for it [is] the great high place; a thousand burnt-offerings cause to ascend doth Solomon on that altar.
The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
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.
He went therefore to Gabaon, to sacrifice there: for that was the great high place: a thousand victims for holocausts did Solomon offer upon that altar in Gabaon.
One day the king went to Gibeon city to offer a sacrifice there, because that was where the most famous/important altar was. In previous years he had offered hundreds of sacrifices on that altar.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 3:4
BAB
Word Study
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1 Kings 3:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֵּ֨לֶךְ
הַ/מֶּ֤לֶךְ
גִּבְעֹ֨נָ/ה֙
לִ/זְבֹּ֣חַ
שָׁ֔ם
כִּ֥י
הִ֖יא
הַ/בָּמָ֣ה
הַ/גְּדוֹלָ֑ה
אֶ֤לֶף
עֹלוֹת֙
יַעֲלֶ֣ה
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה
עַ֖ל
הַ/מִּזְבֵּ֥חַ
הַ/הֽוּא
וַ/יֵּ֨לֶךְ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַ/מֶּ֤לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
Art | N-ms
גִּבְעֹ֨נָ/ה֙
Gibʻôwn
H1391
Gibeon
N-proper | Suff
לִ/זְבֹּ֣חַ
zâbach
H2076
to sacrifice
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
שָׁ֔ם
shâm
H8033
there
Adv
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
הִ֖יא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
הַ/בָּמָ֣ה
bâmâh
H1116
high place
Art | N-fs
הַ/גְּדוֹלָ֑ה
gâdôwl
H1419
Great (Sea)
Art | Adj
אֶ֤לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
עֹלוֹת֙
ʻôlâh
H5930
burnt offering
N-fp
יַעֲלֶ֣ה
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה
Shᵉlômôh
H8010
Solomon
N-proper
עַ֖ל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
הַ/מִּזְבֵּ֥חַ
mizbêach
H4196
altar
Art | N-ms
הַ/הֽוּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Art | Pron
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 3:4
וַ/יֵּ֨לֶךְ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
הַ/מֶּ֤לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
Art | N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
גִּבְעֹ֨נָ/ה֙
Gibʻôwn
H1391
"Gibeon"
N-proper | Suff
Gibeon was a Levitical city in the region of Benjamin, located about 5 miles from Jerusalem, and is now known as el-Jib. The name means hill city, and it is mentioned in various KJV translations as Gibeon.
Definition: § Gibeon = "hill city" a Levitical city of Benjamin, modern 'el-Jib', which lies 5 miles or 8 km from Jerusalem
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: Gibeon. See also: Joshua 9:3; 2 Samuel 3:30; Isaiah 28:21.
לִ/זְבֹּ֣חַ
zâbach
H2076
"to sacrifice"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To sacrifice means to slaughter an animal, usually for a religious offering, as seen in the Bible's instructions for worship. This term is used in many contexts, including sacrifices for eating or in divine judgment. It's often translated as 'kill' or 'offer' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to slaughter, kill, sacrifice, slaughter for sacrifice 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to slaughter for sacrifice 1a2) to slaughter for eating 1a3) to slaughter in divine judgment 1b) (Piel) to sacrifice, offer sacrifice Aramaic equivalent: de.vach (דְּבַח "to sacrifice" H1684)
Usage: Occurs in 127 OT verses. KJV: kill, offer, (do) sacrifice, slay. See also: Genesis 31:54; 1 Kings 8:62; Psalms 4:6.
שָׁ֔ם
shâm
H8033
"there"
Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
הִ֖יא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
הַ/בָּמָ֣ה
bâmâh
H1116
"high place"
Art | N-fs
A high place or elevation, often referring to a cultic platform or mountain. In the Bible, it can also refer to battlefields or funeral mounds, as seen in various passages.
Definition: 1) high place, ridge, height, bamah (technical name for cultic platform) 1a) high place, mountain 1b) high places, battlefields 1c) high places (as places of worship) 1d) funeral mound?
Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: height, high place, wave. See also: Leviticus 26:30; 1 Chronicles 16:39; Psalms 18:34.
הַ/גְּדוֹלָ֑ה
gâdôwl
H1419
"Great (Sea)"
Art | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.
אֶ֤לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
עֹלוֹת֙
ʻôlâh
H5930
"burnt offering"
N-fp
This word refers to a step or stairs, often used to describe the ascent to the altar for a burnt offering. In the Bible, it can also mean a holocaust or sacrifice, like in Leviticus.
Definition: whole burnt offering Aramaic equivalent: a.lah (עֲלָת "burnt offering" H5928)
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to. See also H5766 (עֶוֶל). See also: Genesis 8:20; Numbers 15:5; 2 Chronicles 29:7.
יַעֲלֶ֣ה
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה
Shᵉlômôh
H8010
"Solomon"
N-proper
Shelomoh, or Solomon, was a king of Judah and successor of his father David, first mentioned in 2 Samuel 5:14 and known for his wisdom.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.5.14; son of: David (H1732) and Bathsheba (H1339); brother of: Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727) and Nathan (H5416); half-brother of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N); married to daughter_of_Pharaoh (H6547P) and Naamah (H5279A); father of: Taphath (H2955), Basemath (H1315) and Rehoboam (H7346); also called Jedidiah at 2Sa.12.25; § Solomon = "peace" son of David by Bathsheba and 3rd king of Israel; author of Proverbs and Song of Songs
Usage: Occurs in 263 OT verses. KJV: Solomon. See also: 2 Samuel 5:14; 1 Kings 9:25; 2 Chronicles 7:8.
עַ֖ל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הַ/מִּזְבֵּ֥חַ
mizbêach
H4196
"altar"
Art | N-ms
An altar is a place of sacrifice, where offerings are made to God, as seen in the Bible's description of the tabernacle and temple. It was a central part of Israel's worship. The altar played a key role in the priestly rituals.
Definition: altar
Usage: Occurs in 338 OT verses. KJV: altar. See also: Genesis 8:20; Leviticus 7:2; 1 Kings 2:28.
הַ/הֽוּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 3:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Kings 3:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 3:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 3:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 3:4
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 3:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 3:4
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 3:4
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 3:4
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 3:4
- Sermons on 1 Kings 3:4
Context — Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom
2The people, however, were still sacrificing on the high places because a house for the Name of the LORD had not yet been built.
3And Solomon loved the LORD and walked in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.
4Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for it was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar there.
5One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!” 6Solomon replied, “You have shown much loving devotion to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart. And You have maintained this loving devotion by giving him a son to sit on his throne this very day.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Chronicles 16:39 | And David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon |
| 2 | 2 Chronicles 1:3 | And Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon because it was the location of God’s Tent of Meeting, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness. |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 7:5 | And King Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. |
| 4 | 2 Chronicles 1:6–12 | Solomon offered sacrifices there before the LORD on the bronze altar in the Tent of Meeting, where he offered a thousand burnt offerings. That night God appeared to Solomon and said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!” Solomon replied to God: “You have shown much loving devotion to my father David, and You have made me king in his place. Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to my father David be fulfilled. For You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart instead of requesting riches or wealth or glory for yourself or death for your enemies—and since you have not even requested long life but have asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern My people over whom I have made you king— therefore wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will also give you riches and wealth and honor unlike anything given to the kings before you or after you.” |
| 5 | 1 Chronicles 21:29 | For the tabernacle of the LORD that Moses had made in the wilderness and the altar of burnt offering were presently at the high place in Gibeon, |
| 6 | Isaiah 40:16 | Lebanon is not sufficient for fuel, nor its animals enough for a burnt offering. |
| 7 | Joshua 9:3 | But the people of Gibeon, having heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, |
| 8 | 1 Kings 8:63 | And Solomon offered as peace offerings to the LORD 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the house of the LORD. |
| 9 | 2 Chronicles 29:32–35 | The number of burnt offerings the assembly brought was seventy bulls, a hundred rams, and two hundred lambs; all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD. And the consecrated offerings were six hundred bulls and three thousand sheep. However, since there were not enough priests to skin all the burnt offerings, their Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests had been consecrated. For the Levites had been more diligent in consecrating themselves than the priests had been. Furthermore, the burnt offerings were abundant, along with the fat of the peace offerings and the drink offerings for the burnt offerings. So the service of the house of the LORD was established. |
| 10 | 2 Chronicles 30:24 | For Hezekiah king of Judah contributed a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep for the assembly, and the officials contributed a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep for the assembly, and a great number of priests consecrated themselves. |
1 Kings 3:4 Summary
[This verse shows us that Solomon, the king of Israel, wanted to worship God and show his love for Him by offering many sacrifices at the high place in Gibeon. He did this because there was no temple built for God yet, as mentioned in 1 Kings 3:2. This act of worship is similar to what we are called to do in Romans 12:1, to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. By seeking to worship God, even in less-than-ideal circumstances, Solomon set an example for us to prioritize our relationship with God and seek His presence in our lives.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Solomon go to Gibeon to sacrifice, despite it being a high place?
Solomon went to Gibeon because it was the great high place, and at this time, a house for the Name of the LORD had not yet been built, as mentioned in 1 Kings 3:2. This act shows Solomon's desire to worship God, even if it was not in the ideal location.
What is the significance of Solomon offering a thousand burnt offerings?
The thousand burnt offerings signified Solomon's dedication and commitment to God, demonstrating his love and devotion, as seen in his actions and the statutes he followed, like those of his father David, in 1 Kings 3:3.
How does this verse relate to the rest of Solomon's story in 1 Kings?
This verse sets the stage for God's appearance to Solomon in a dream, as seen in 1 Kings 3:5, where God says, 'Ask, and I will give it to you!' This event is a pivotal moment in Solomon's life, shaping his future and reign as king.
What can we learn from Solomon's example in this verse?
We can learn about the importance of prioritizing worship and seeking God, even in less-than-ideal circumstances, as Solomon did in 1 Kings 3:4, and as encouraged in Psalms 100:4, to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can demonstrate my love and devotion to God, like Solomon did with his offerings?
- How can I prioritize worship in my daily life, even when circumstances are not ideal?
- What are some areas where I may be compromising, like Solomon did by sacrificing on the high places, and how can I align my actions with God's will?
- In what ways can I seek God's presence and guidance, like Solomon did, and be open to His direction in my life?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 3:4
And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there,.... About four or five miles from Jerusalem; [See comments on 1 Kings 2:28]; for that [was] the great high place; not that the place itself might be
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 3:4
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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 3:4
The great high place; the most eminent and frequented, because there was the tabernacle and the altar of Moses, 21:29 ,5,6, which possibly were placed upon a high or raised ground. A thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar; thereby showing his special respect to this above all other places, and by his example teaching and inviting all his people to do so.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 3:4
1 Kings 3:4 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.Ver. 4. And the king went to Gibeon.] To seek God; and that he might be the better prepared to build the temple, whereunto he now thought it but time to address himself. For that was the great high place.] Because there was the tabernacle and the altar of burnt offering; hence there was great resorting to it.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 3:4
(4) Gibeon.—The name itself, signifying “belonging to a hill,” indicates its position on the central plateau of Israel, in the land of Benjamin, whence rise several round hills, on one of which the town stood. There was now reared the Tabernacle, with the brazen altar of sacrifice, to which the descendants of the old Gibeonites were attached as “hewers of wood and drawers of water” (Joshua 9:23). It was therefore naturally “the great high place.”
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 3:4
4. to Gibeon] The Hivite city which was assigned by Joshua to the tribe of Benjamin (Joshua 18:21-25). It is most known in early times for the cunning device of its inhabitants to secure a treaty with Joshua and the Israelites (Joshua 9), and in later history because it was the place where the tabernacle of the congregation and the brazen altar of burnt-offering were set up until the completion of Solomon’s temple. Whether this position was chosen as a high place by the Israelites or whether it had been a place used for worship by the Hivites beforetime there is nothing to indicate. the great high place] Probably because the tabernacle was there. This was likely to make it more famous than its neighbours at Ramah or Mizpeh. a thousand burnt offerings] In the Chronicles (2 Chronicles 1:2-3) we are told a little more about this sacrifice. The king had consulted all the people, and the great officers, and went up in a solemn procession with all the congregation. This accounts for the abundance of the offerings. After this occasion we hear no more of sacrifices at Gibeon.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 3:4
Gibeon - The transfer to Gibeon of the “tabernacle of the congregation,” and the brass “altar of burnt offerings” made by Moses, which were removed there from Nob (compare 1 Samuel 21:6, with
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 3:4
SOLOMON’S WISE CHOICE, 1 Kings 3:4-15. 4. Gibeon — The modern el-Jib, a few miles northwest of Jerusalem. See note on Joshua 9:3.
Sermons on 1 Kings 3:4
| Sermon | Description | |
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The Credentials of True Ministry by George Warnock | George Warnock preaches about the significance of carrying the ark of God on the shoulders of anointed men, emphasizing the importance of walking in God's anointing and not delegat |
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Joshua (Part 7): Don't Let Failure Be Final by Richard Sipley | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the theme of failure and recovery using the story of Joshua in the book of Joshua chapter 9. The people of Gibeon deceive Joshua and the Israe |
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 319 by Don Courville | Don Courville discusses the theme of deception, drawing from the biblical account of Joshua and the Gibeonites to illustrate how easily one can be misled. He emphasizes the importa |
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How Quickly We Turn Away by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher begins by acknowledging his unworthiness to stand in the pulpit and emphasizes his reliance on the righteousness of Jesus. He prays for the conviction |
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The Sheep by Harriet N. Cook | Harriet N. Cook preaches about the significance of sheep and lambs in the Bible, highlighting how they are frequently mentioned and the beautiful descriptions given about them. She |
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Standing With the Few by Jeff Colon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that God has prepared everything for us and invites us to partake in His eternal inheritance. However, many people make excuses and prioritiz |