1 Kings 3

1 Kings 3:1-10

The Reign of King Solomon (His Prosperity) – 1 Kings 3:1 to 1 Kings 10:29 gives us the story of Solomon’s reign as king over the united kingdom of Israel. The emphasis in this passage of Scripture is Solomon’s prosperity as a result of obeying God’s Word. In contrast, the final chapter of Solomon’s reign will end sadly with the story of Solomon falling away from God and how his kingdom grew weak and became divided as a result of his sins. One of the reasons for Solomon’s prosperity can be seen in his willingness to give generously to the Lord. 1 Kings 3:1-15 gives us the story of Solomon’s great sacrifice that he offered to God and how God responded to him in a dream and blessed him. As a new king he had a great need, which was to rule over his people with wisdom and discretion. In his need he came to God with an offering. It was Solomon’s offering of one thousand burnt offerings to the Lord that prompted God to give back to the king a gift. This great sacrifice opened the windows of heaven for Solomon that forever changed the effectiveness of his ministry, for God gave him great wisdom and wealth. Then God came to Solomon a second time and promised to be with His people and bless the entire nation (1 Kings 6:11-13). Although God blessed Solomon in his first divine encounter, the people were blesses during this second visitation. During these years God did not mind Solomon’s prosperity. In fact, it was God who had given him the power to gain this wealth. In fact during his second great sacrifice at the dedication of the Temple Solomon was able to offer sheep and oxen without number (1 Kings 8:5). His first offering to God consisted of one thousand burnt offerings (1 Kings 3:4).

This time he offered twenty-two thousand oxen and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep (1 Kings 8:63). The Lord responded by visiting him again in a dream (1 Kings 9:1-9). This time God promised to establish his royal lineage forever and to honour the Temple with His presence. Solomon continued to give (2 Chronicles 8:12; 2 Chronicles 9:12). As he gave he continued to prosper, and he built to his heart’s desire. In fact, he became the richest man on earth, receiving tribute from many kingdoms around him.

Solomon made silver as common as stones (2 Chronicles 9:27). In other words, he made the city look more and more like Heaven itself, whose streets are paved with gold. There is a teaching in today’s churches that one should be specific to God in prayer with his particular need as he gave an offering. In other words, an act of giving should be accompanied with a request to God for a particular need. If someone wanted a Scriptural basis for speaking these blessing forth as they gave an offering, then this verse would certainly support such a teaching.

1 Kings 3:16-28

Solomon’s Great Wisdom Demonstrated to Israel – 1 Kings 3:16-28 gives us the story of Solomon’s great wisdom as he judged two harlots. Note the proposed outline of the story of two harlots:

1. The Situation Presented (1 Kings 3:16-22)
2. The Solution Proposed (1 Kings 3:23-25)
3. The Sacrifice (1 Kings 3:26-28) 1 Kings 3:26 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. 1 Kings 3:26 — “for her bowels yearned upon her son” – Comments - This reveals the true mother’s love and compassion for her son (Isaiah 49:15). This display of emotion touched the heart of King Solomon (Proverbs 22:11). Isaiah 49:15, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.” Proverbs 22:11, “He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.” 1 Kings 3:26 — “O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it” - Comments - Only a mother could have this kind of compassion and sacrificial love. The real mother said to give the child to the other lady. Why? Genuine love does not seek its own way. Note: Proverbs 10:12, “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” 1 Corinthians 13:5, “Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;” Greed says: Proverbs 21:26, “He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.” Thus, Proverbs 22:12, “The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.” 1 Kings 3:28 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. 1 Kings 3:28 — “the wisdom of God was in him” – Scripture References - Note: Proverbs 8:15, “By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.” Proverbs 20:8, “A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.” Proverbs 20:26, “A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.” Proverbs 20:28, “Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.”