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1 Kings 3 (NIV)

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1 Kings 3 (NIV)
Commentary 1 source group
Tyndale Commentary 4 notes
TyndaleStudyNotes

IKgs.3.1

3:1 As was common in the ancient Near East, Solomon sealed a political alliance with the king of Egypt by marrying one of his daughters. The bestowal of an Egyptian princess and the city of Gezer to Solomon as a wedding present (9:16) demonstrated the Egyptians’ high regard for him. The pharaoh was probably Siamun, of Egypt’s weakened 21st dynasty. The allia...

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3:1 As was common in the ancient Near East, Solomon sealed a political alliance with the king of Egypt by marrying one of his daughters. The bestowal of an Egyptian princess and the city of Gezer to Solomon as a wedding present (9:16) demonstrated the Egyptians’ high regard for him. The pharaoh was probably Siamun, of Egypt’s weakened 21st dynasty. The alliance was mutually beneficial: Pharaoh gained access to trade routes through Israel, while Solomon increased security on his southern border. Apparently, Solomon had previously married the Ammonite Naamah (see 11:42-43 with 14:21). • City of David: This section of Jerusalem was the old Jebusite city in the southern portion of the eastern ridge. When Solomon extended his building activities northward, he built a special palace for Pharaoh’s daughter (7:8; 9:24; 2 Chr 8:11).

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TyndaleStudyNotes

IKgs.3.10-12

3:10-12 God was pleased with Solomon’s unselfish request and granted him a wise and understanding heart. These incomparable qualities are demonstrated in the next section (3:16-28) and as Solomon sets up his administration (ch 4), business dealings, building activities, international relations, and worship practices (chs 5–10).

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IKgs.3.15

3:15 Solomon’s sacrifice after the dream completes the narrative.

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IKgs.3.16

3:16 prostitutes: While the law condemned prostitution (Lev 19:29; Deut 23:18), it still existed in ancient Israel. Though these women were of the most despised class of women in Israelite society, Solomon demonstrated his kindness and availability to all people by dealing justice to them as mothers, not as prostitutes.

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People & Profiles1 item
TyndalePeople and Profiles

Solomon

Solomon

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Solomon Solomon was the third king of Israel, the second son of David and Bathsheba (2 Sam 12:13-25); he reigned forty years (971–931 BC). Solomon began his reign with promising confidence in God but ended his life as an idol-worshiper who destroyed his kingdom. As King David neared death, his son Adonijah made an attempt on the throne, supported by the priest Abiathar and the general Joab (1 Kgs 1:1-53). The kingdom had been promised to Solomon, however (1 Kgs 1:17; see 2 Sam 12:24-25; 1 Chr 28:4-7), so Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan informed David of Adonijah’s intentions. David immediately arranged Solomon’s coronation. Then David advised Solomon to follow God faithfully (1 Kgs 2:1-9). Solomon loved God and sought his help. God asked him to choose a gift, and since he chose wisdom rather than long life, riches, or fame, God gave him all of these. Solomon governed wisely (1 Kgs 3:16-28), received worldwide respect (1 Kgs 4:20-34), and wrote the Song of Songs, along with most of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Rabbis said that these books came from three stages of his life: “When a man is young he composes songs; when he grows older he makes sententious remarks; and when he...

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Cross Reference8 items
TyndaleCross References

exodus 31:1-3

exodus 31:1-3

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exodus 31:1-6

exodus 31:1-6

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leviticus 19:29

leviticus 19:29

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deuteronomy 7:9

deuteronomy 7:9

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deuteronomy 7:12

deuteronomy 7:12

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deuteronomy 12:1-14

deuteronomy 12:1-14

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deuteronomy 23:18

deuteronomy 23:18

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1 kings 3:4-5

1 kings 3:4-5

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Dictionary & Themes1 item
TyndaleTheme Notes

Solomon’s Wisdom

Solomon’s Wisdom

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Solomon’s Wisdom When God gave Solomon the opportunity to ask for anything he wanted, Solomon chose wisdom, so that he could “govern [God’s] people well and know the difference between right and wrong” (1 Kgs 3:9). In response to this unselfish choice, God granted the wisdom he desired (3:12) and the rewards of its proper use (3:13-14; 2 Chr 1:14-17). Solomon’s subsequent behavior provided immediate evidence of his wisdom. He resolved an argument over a child with such insight that the people were “in awe of the king” (1 Kgs 3:16-28). Later, the queen of Sheba came to test him with difficult questions and found his wisdom exceeding all that she had heard about it (10:1-9). His administration (4:1-28), his diplomacy (5:1-9), his building projects (5:10–7:51), and his commerce (9:26-28; 10:14-29) all demonstrated his wisdom. Solomon accumulated vast knowledge (4:29-33) and wrote proverbs (much of the book of Proverbs), songs (Pss 72; 127), love poetry (the Song of Songs), and philosophical literature (Ecclesiastes). He used his wisdom to build the Temple (2 Chr 2:12), even as Bezalel had previously been endowed with wisdom to build the Tabernacle (Exod 31:1-3). Jesus noted S...

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