1 Kings 3

1 Kings 3:1

B. The Wisdom of Solomon (Chap. 3)3:1 Solomon married the daughter of the Pharaoh who was then in power in Egypt. Perhaps this shows that his trust was in political alliances. The marriage, although politically expedient, was spiritually disastrous as well as forbidden by the law. From this point onward, Solomon’s harem grew until it contained hundreds of foreign women. Solomon thus linked himself with many foreign powers but alienated himself from the Lord (1Ki_11:1-8). 3:2-4 High places were here used for the worship of the LORD. This was not strictly in accordance with the law; God was supposed to be worshiped only in the place which He designated. But it is here excused on the ground that there was no official house, since Shiloh had been destroyed by the Philistines about 1050 B.C. when the ark was carried away (1 Sam. 4). After the temple was built, high places continued to be used, but for idolatrous worship. Although the ark was in Jerusalem at this time, the tabernacle was in Gibeon (1Ch_21:29), about six miles away. It was there that the king offered a thousand burnt offerings, probably at the outset of his reign. 3:5-15 God appeared to Solomon . . . at Gibeon and asked him what he would like most of all. The king requested an understanding heart for the great task of judging and ruling the people of Israel. The request pleased the LORD, and it was grantedtogether with riches and honor, and also long life, if Solomon would walk in obedience to God. Today God offers to everyone the greatest gift for which one could possibly askthe Lord Jesus Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col_2:3). 3:16-28 The remainder of chapter 3 gives an example of the king’s great wisdom. Two . . . harlots were quarreling over which one was the mother of a baby. When Solomon threatened to divide the baby with a sword into two equal parts, the true mother was revealed by her desire to spare the child even if she didn’t get the baby for herself. Such wisdom caused Solomon to be greatly feared and respected in all Israel.