1Kings 3:1 ¶ 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.
“affinity” = “to contract affinity by marriage:—join in affinity…make marriages….”
Solomon established a treaty with Egypt in effect by marrying the Pharaoh’s daughter. He took her home to live in the city of David until he finished building his own house, the house of the LORD and the wall around Jerusalem. Eventually, he built her a house of her own.
1 Kings 7:8 “Solomon made also an house for Pharaoh’s daughter, whom he had taken to wife, like unto this porch.”
Commentators remark that this alliance testified to the fact that Israel had grown in power to such an extent that Pharaoh considered it desirable.
The NIV notes: “The rendering ‘made an alliance with Pharaoh’ reflects accurately the Hebrew (lit., “became Pharaoh’s son-in-law”), which stresses the relationship between father-in-law and bridegroom rather than that between the bride and the bridegroom. This was a rather common practice for cementing and maintaining international agreements and securing a nation’s borders.”
The IVP Commentary adds this note: “The fact that Solomon received a daughter of the pharaoh demonstrates he is in a stronger position than the monarch of Egypt at that time.”
Still, this alliance was not in accordance with the LORD’s will according to verses in a later chapter.
1 Kings 11:1–2 “But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.”
1Kings 3:2 Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days.
1Kings 3:3 And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
It is noted that the people of Israel sacrificed in high places because there was no house of the LORD in those days. Though Solomon loved the LORD and lived in accordance with his father’s commitment to the religious laws, he also sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.
I have learned that in the ancient world the people sought out higher ground to worship their “gods” because they felt like that got them closer to the place of their abode in the heavens. Though the tabernacle of Moses and the altar were located in Gibeon and the tabernacle of David with the ark and an altar in Jerusalem, Solomon and the people still made use of the high places. This was in direct disobedience to God’s will.
Leviticus 17:3–4 “What man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp, And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people….”
Numbers 33:51–52 “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan; Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places….”
1Kings 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.
1Kings 3:5 ¶ In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
Gibeon is called the great high place because that is where the tabernacle was located. Solomon went there to offer a thousand burnt offerings upon that altar. In Chronicles we are told that he was accompanied by “all the congregation,” which I assume would mean most of the people living between there and Jerusalem.
While he was there, the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night and asked Solomon what he would like the LORD to give him. The encounter in this dream was real; God chose to communicate with Solomon’s spirit while his body was asleep.
Have you ever thought about what you would say if the LORD asked you that question? That thought actually led to the composition of one of my poems that I will include at the end of this chapter.
1Kings 3:6 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.
1Kings 3:7 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.
1Kings 3:8 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.
1Kings 3:9 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?
Remember—Solomon is talking with God in a dream. Solomon began his response by noting how the LORD had treated his father David with great mercy because his life had been characterized overall by integrity, righteousness and spiritual morality. He acknowledged that the fact that he was now king was an act of kindness to David. Solomon admits to the LORD that he doesn’t feel qualified to rule as king (“I am but a little child”) over such a great nation that could not easily be numbered. Now the king gets to his request—He asks for an understanding heart to be able to rightly judge the people and discern between what is good and bad.
The Hebrew for “understanding” includes many things: including “to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc…) carefully…diligently…(be) obedient….” Solomon is basically saying that he wants to be able to rule intelligently in careful accordance to God’s will without prejudice or bias of any type.
1Kings 3:10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
1Kings 3:11 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;
1Kings 3:12 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.
1Kings 3:13 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.
1Kings 3:14 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.
The LORD was pleased with Solomon’s request. He told Solomon that because his request was not for riches or death to his enemies but for a desire to rule justly, he was not only going to give him what he asked for but also much more. He would give Solomon wisdom and understanding to the extent that never before or never again would another man be his equal. He was also going to give him riches and honor to the degree that no other king would be his equal for as long as he lived. Both of those promises were unconditional. The LORD then gave him one conditional promise. If he would live in obedience before the LORD as his father David had, he would be allowed to live a longer life.
Wiersbe: “Wise people not only have knowledge of human nature and of the created world, but they also know how to use that knowledge in the right way at the right time. Wisdom isn’t a theoretical idea or an abstract commodity; it’s very practical and personal. Many people are smart enough to make a good living but aren’t wise enough to make a good life, a life of fulfillment that honors the Lord.”
1Kings 3:15 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.
When Solomon woke up, he realized that his encounter with the LORD had been in a dream. He went home to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD and offered up yet more burnt and peace offerings that provided a feast for all of his servants.
1Kings 3:16 ¶ Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.
1Kings 3:17 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.
1Kings 3:18 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.
1Kings 3:19 And this woman’s child died in the night; because she overlaid it.
1Kings 3:20 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.
1Kings 3:21 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.
1Kings 3:22 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.
The writer now includes a prime example of Solomon’s wisdom. It seems to be implied that this event occurred shortly after Solomon’s encounter with the LORD.
We are told that two harlots come before the king seeking justice. The first woman to speak explained that both she and her roommate had babies three days apart. No other people were in the house. Her roommate’s child had died in the night because the mother rolled over on it and smothered it. When the woman awoke and realized what had happened, she exchanged the two babies. When she awoke the next morning to nurse her child, she saw that it was not her own.
The second woman declared that the living baby was hers and the dead baby the other woman’s. The first woman again declared that the living child was hers.
1Kings 3:23 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.
1Kings 3:24 And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.
1Kings 3:25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.
1Kings 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.
1Kings 3:27 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.
King Solomon pointed out that it was one woman’s word against the other. He then called for a sword. When the sword was brought, the king ordered the soldier to divide the living child in two and give half to each woman. The mother of the child couldn’t bear to see her son killed and quickly told the king to give the child to the other woman. The other woman urged the king to divide the child so that neither could claim it. The king quickly discerned the true mother of the child through her willingness to give him up rather than see him killed.
1Kings 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.
The news of this event quickly made its way throughout Israel and inspired great respect. They saw that he possessed the wisdom of God and judged accordingly.
“What Shall I Give Thee?”
By Sharon Cravens
“What shall I give thee?
God inquired of Solomon one day.
What if He asked me the very same thing?
I wondered what would I say.
Would I ask for an understanding heart?
To know the bad from the good?
Would I ask to be clay in the Potter’s hands?
For the strength to do what I should?
To be known as God’s friend?
To be free from pride?
To possess a heart that is pure?
The choices are many.
Which one is best?
I want to be very sure.
The more that I pondered,
The shining light of truth began to dawn.
He couldn’t give more than He already had—
His precious only Son.
As an heir with Christ, there is nothing I lack.
I have everything that I need.
The choices I make show the value I place
On my gift from the King of kings.
He gave me the Spirit to teach me
And empower me from above.
It’s up to me to obey Him
And submit to Him in love.
I’d never trade with King Solomon
For his wisdom, wealth and fame.
I have so much more that is mine to claim
In Jesus’ holy name.
So, thank you, dear Lord for your patience and love,
For Your mercy and Your grace.
Please help me to humbly serve You with joy
TilI I see You face to face.
1Kings 4:1 ¶ So king Solomon was king over all Israel.
This chapter opens with a listing of those serving in leadership under King Solomon. I will only insert a few comments along the way.
1Kings 4:2 And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,
1Kings 4:3 Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder.
1Kings 4:4 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
Verse 4 stands out because we just learned in the previous chapter that Abiathar the priest had been stripped of his service and sent to Anathoth. Confusing.
The NIV Commentary offers this explanation: “Verses 11, 15 indicate this list was compiled at about the midpoint of Solomon’s reign, since two of the officials are sons-in-law of Solomon. In addition, the names of especially prominent men who served in the earlier part of Solomon’s reign are included. This is certainly true of Abiathar, who was deposed almost immediately, and probably of Zadok, who had already served at length under David and most likely didn’t live long into Solomon’s reign. In Abiathar’s case, it is of course possible that he still carried the title of priest even though he was no longer permitted to function as such.”
1Kings 4:5 And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer, and the king’s friend:
This verse stands out because it singles out Zabud as “the king’s friend.” We too as part of the redeemed can claim friendship with The King of kings.
John 15:13–15 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”
As His friends, we are expected to obey Him. As His friends, He has given us His word to guide us in accordance with the Father’s will.
1Kings 4:6 And Ahishar was over the household: and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the tribute.
1Kings 4:7 And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals for the king and his household: each man his month in a year made provision.
1Kings 4:8 And these are their names: The son of Hur, in mount Ephraim:
1Kings 4:9 The son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Bethshemesh, and Elonbethhanan:
1Kings 4:10 The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him pertained Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher:
1Kings 4:11 The son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife:
It is noted in verse 11 that Abinadab married Taphath, one of Solomon’s daughters, and was his son-in-law.
1Kings 4:12 Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:
1Kings 4:13 The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brasen bars:
1Kings 4:14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo had Mahanaim:
1Kings 4:15 Ahimaaz was in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon to wife:
It is noted in verse 15 that Ahimaaz was another one of Solomon’s sons-in-law; he married Solomon’s daughter Basmath.
1Kings 4:16 Baanah the son of Hushai was in Asher and in Aloth:
1Kings 4:17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar:
1Kings 4:18 Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin:
1Kings 4:19 Geber the son of Uri was in the country of Gilead, in the country of Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of Bashan; and he was the only officer which was in the land.
As I was listening to Doug McClean recently, he pointed out how wise it was for Solomon to assemble a group of capable men and delegate authority to help him in the administration of his rule. Some had individual responsibilities, and others had shared responsibilities as appropriate to their sphere of supervision. They were all part of a team, and each one’s contribution was vital to the success of the whole. The application to “the church” is obvious I think.
1Kings 4:20 ¶ Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
1Kings 4:21 And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
It is noted that the population of Judah and Israel had grown to such a number that it would not be easily counted. The people are characterized as being happy and prosperous on the whole.
It is also noted that Solomon’s kingdom extended over all kingdoms from “the river,” a reference to the Euphrates, to the land of the Philistines and on to the border of Egypt. In other words, there were other nations that paid tribute to Israel and were subject to their governing authority throughout the days of Solomon’s reign.
I liked this observation from the NIV Commentary: “Solomon’s kingdom in its broad outlines and at the acme of its greatness was a foretaste, a type, of the yet future and far greater fulfillment of God’s promise in the millennial reign of Christ. Essential here is the rulership of both David and Solomon. David in his passionate love for the Lord, in his great victories over the enemies of God’s people, and in his establishment of a great kingdom is a type of the coming Messiah. Solomon also is such a type, in his wisdom and reign of peace.”
The Hebrew for the reference to “river” mentions both the Nile and the Euphrates. We know from God’s promise to Abraham and the context of this passage that this reference would be to the Euphrates. Though this defined the extent over which Solomon had rule, it did not define the borders of Israel since other kingdoms were under tribute to them.
1Kings 4:22 And Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal,
1Kings 4:23 Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.
The provisions needed to supply Solomon’s household for one day were many. Included were: 30 measures of fine flour, 60 measures of meal, 10 fat oxen, 20 oxen fed from the pastures, 100 sheep, plus male deer, gazelles, other deer and fatted fowl.
JFB provides this note: This provision was “…not for the king’s table only, but for all connected with the court, including, besides the royal establishment, those of his royal consorts, his principal officers, his bodyguards, his foreign visitors, etc. The quantity of fine floor used is estimated at two hundred forty bushels; that of meal or common flour at four hundred eighty.”
Guzik adds the following: “This list is not meant to stress the idea of opulence and luxury; the stress is on the idea that this daily provision indicated the great prosperity of the kingdom.”
1Kings 4:24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.
1Kings 4:25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
Tiphsah = Eerdman’s Dictionary: “A city on the west shore of the Euphrates River, ca. 110 km. (68 mi.) S of Carchemish. An important river crossing, Tiphsah was the northern frontier of Solomon’s empire.”
Azzah = Gaza (from the Hebrew)
Again it is noted that Solomon’s rule encompassed all the land this side “the river,” the Euphrates, from Tiphsah to Azzah (from north and east to west), to all the kingdoms “this side,” or west of the river. He was blessed with peace on all sides of his kingdom. Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man “under his vine and under his fig tree,” from Dan to Beersheba (from north to south in the nation of Israel’s entirety) during Solomon’s reign.
The phrase “under his vine and under his fig tree” is a reference to the peace and security experienced by each individual. It is another statement that declares Solomon’s kingdom to be a type of the coming kingdom of the Messiah as foretold by the prophet Micah.
Micah 4:1–4 “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.”
1Kings 4:26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots and 12,000 horsemen. Though this is another fact testifying to the wealth of Solomon’s kingdom, it was not in accordance with God’s will.
Deuteronomy 17:15–16 “Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother. But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.”
Why did God make such a command? Because He wanted the people to trust in Him.
Deuteronomy 20:1–4 “When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”
Many commentators note that “40,000” is probably a copy error and that 4,000 is probably the correct number as stated in Chronicles.
2 Chronicles 9:25 “And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.”
The NIV Commentary notes: “Typically a chariot team included three horses with only two being used at any one time and the third kept as a reserve. The three would be stabled together, so twelve thousand horses for four thousand pens is the correct proportion indicating the potential for four thousand chariot teams (though some may have been used for cavalry).”
1Kings 4:27 And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon’s table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing.
1Kings 4:28 Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
These verses note that the officers appointed to supervise gathering the provisions to provide the food needed daily to serve Solomon’s huge household, performed their duties well. Nothing was lacking. This included providing barley and straw for the horses and “dromedaries.” In looking at the Hebrew, this term seems to reference those animals that were swift and used to relay news or accomplish errands throughout the kingdom in a timely manner.
1Kings 4:29 ¶ And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.
1Kings 4:30 And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
1Kings 4:31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
Emphasis is again made on the fact that God gave Solomon great wisdom and understanding as well as a generous heart. He possessed those traits beyond what can be easily expressed. His wisdom exceeded that of the children of the east country and all of Egypt. He was wiser than all men, including Ethan the Ezrahit, Heman, Chalcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol (evidently widely recognized for their wisdom). His fame extended to all the nations surrounding Israel.
The NIV Commentary notes that Ethan and Heman were noted composers, having penned Psalm 89 and 88 respectively.
1Kings 4:32 And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.
1Kings 4:33 And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.
1Kings 4:34 And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.
Solomon was known for expounding 3,000 proverbs (wise sayings) and composing 1005 songs. We have a record of many of Solomon’s sayings in the book of Proverbs. Scripture also contains at least three of his songs—Song of Solomon and Psalms 72 and 127.
His sayings and songs revealed his knowledge about much of creation—of trees and plants of all kinds, the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, insects and fishes.
Guzik includes this bit of information from Dilday: “Ancient rankings put the cedar tree at the top of the list of plants and hyssop at the lowest level; thus Solomon’s botanical interests were all-inclusive.”
People came from all over the neighboring kingdoms to hear the wisdom of Solomon; this included other kings that had heard about him.
Though Solomon was given a very special gift of wisdom, every true believer should realize that God is ready to do the same for each one of His children.
James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
Ephesians 1:3–8 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ….In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence….”
Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”