1 Reis 3
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
1 Reis 3
NJB (MT versing) Solomon's Rule Consolidated Solomon Requests Wisdom Solomon in a Dream Prays for Wisdom and Receives It Solomon Prays for Wisdom Solomon's Introduction 3:1-5 3:1-3 3:1-2 3:1-3 3:1-3 3:3-9 Solomon's Dream at Gibeon Solomon's Prayer 3:4-9 3:4-5 3:4-15 3:6-9 3:6-9 God's Answer 3:10-14 3:10-15 3:10-14 3:10-14 Solomon Exercises Wisdom in Judgment 3:15 3:15 3:15 Solomon Wisely Judges Solomon's Wise Judgment Solomon Judges a Difficult Case The Judgment of Solomon 3:16-22 3:16-22 3:16-22 3:16-21 3:16-28 3:22 3:23-28 3:23-28 3:23-28 3:23-25 3:26 3:27 3:28 Etc.
1 Reis 3:1-5
3:1 In the ANE marriage alliances were like peace treaties. The fact that such a powerful nation as Egypt was willing to give Solomon a princess shows the power and prestige of Israel at this time. The Law of Moses condemned the inter-marriages with Canaanite women but never Egyptian women (cf. Gen. 24:3; Deut. 7:3). Jewish tradition says she became a proselyte. This may be true, for even in Solomon's later years when his other wives caused him to apostatize (1 Kgs. 11:4,6), there was never any Egyptian gods or practices in Israel. Notice the building projects that Solomon did before he built her a palace (1 Kgs. 7:8; 9:24). his palace the Lord's temple (cf. 1 Kings 6) the protective walls around Jerusalem (cf. 1 Kgs. 9:15; 11:27). ▣ "the city of David" This phrase is often used of David's hometown, Bethlehem (i.e., 1 Sam. 16:1), but here it refers to Jerusalem (i.e., 2 Sam. 5:7; 1 Kgs. 2:10). SPECIAL TOPIC: MORIAH, SALEM, JEBUS, ZION, JERUSALEM 3:2 "high places" These (BDB 119; NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 670) were local worship sites, which had in earlier times, been places of Canaanite fertility worship. Once there was a central temple to YHWH, these sites would be banned (cf. Lev. 17:3-5; Deut. 12:14-14; 2 Kgs. 23:8). ▣ "no house built" This would refer to the temple (cf. 1 Kings 6). During David's reign the tabernacle of the wilderness was at Gibeon, under Zadok's service (cf. 1 Chr. 16:39-40; NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 1300-1302), but the ark of the covenant was moved to Jerusalem and housed in the tent that David pitched for it (cf. 2 Sam. 6:17). Abiathar served the ark in Jerusalem. ▣ "the name of the Lord" See SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH (OT). 3:3 Solomon loved YHWH. This is shown by his faithful adherence to His laws. "Walking" is a biblical metaphor for lifestyle faith and faithfulness (see NIDOTTE, vol. 1, pp. 1032-1035). Notice the conditional element in v. 14. Almost all covenants in the OT are conditional! Solomon broke YHWH's covenant in his old age (cf. 1 Kgs. 11:1-2). SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT 3:4 "Gibeon" This was a famous and often visited local worship site. Solomon is not condemned for using it to worship YHWH. It becomes the location of YHWH's powerful dream to Solomon. 3:5 YHWH often revealed Himself and His will or information about a situation through dreams. Not all dreams are revelatory, but some are (see NIDOTTE, vol. 2, pp. 153-155).
1 Reis 3:6-9
3:6 "lovingkindness" This is a powerful word (i.e., hesed, BDB 238) which denotes covenant loyalty. SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS (hesed) ▣ "truth and righteousness and uprightness" These words characterize David's life of faith/faithfulness. truth ‒ see SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH, AND FAITHFULNESS (OT) righteousness ‒ see SPECIAL TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS uprightness of heart ‒ this FEMININE NOUN (BDB 449; found only here) is a synonym to righteousness, meaning "straight," "right," or "smooth"; the ADJECTIVE form was used of David in 1 Sam. 29:6 3:7 "yet I am but a little child" Solomon's age is uncertain but he was a young man (cf. 1 Chr. 22:5; 29:1). rabbis ‒ 12 Josephus, Antiq. ‒ 14 many modern scholars ‒ early 20's (he was already married and had a son) ▣ "I do not know how to go out or come in" This is an idiom for government administration (cf. Num. 27:17). 3:8 "Your people which You have chosen" Israel was YHWH's means of revealing Himself to the world. "Chosen" (BDB 103, KB 119, Qal PERFECT) in the OT deals with service. SPECIAL TOPIC: HE CHOSE US ▣ "a great people who cannot be numbered" This reflects YHWH's promise to the Patriarchs. dust ‒ Gen. 13:16; 28:14; Num. 23:10 stars ‒ Gen. 15:5; 22:17; 26:4 sand ‒ Gen. 22:17; 32:12 The large number of covenant people shows YHWH's blessing and purpose for Israel. SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS 3:9 NASB, NKJV, Peshitta "an understanding heart" NRSV, JPSOA "an understanding mind" "a heart with skill to listen" "a heart to hear" The MT has "a heart to hear" (BDB 524 and BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE). The purpose of a listening heart/mind was to judge Israel properly in the wisdom and revelations of YHWH (v. 14). ▣ "to discern between good and evil" Only a personal faith relationship with YHWH and a knowledge of His Law can know this. This phrase is used of David by a wise woman in 2 Sam. 14:17 and of the coming King/sign in Isa. 7:15. See NIDOTTE, vol. 2, p. 354, #3.
1 Reis 3:10-14
3:10 YHWH is pleased with Solomon's request for wisdom to judge Israel. This is answered in v. 12. There are several things that Solomon did not ask for that most leaders would have. long life riches the lives of one's enemies YHWH grants #1 and #2 in a conditional way in v. 14. The "if" of YHWH's promises is crucial to understanding conditional covenants. They have great blessing but awesome responsibilities! 3:14 "My statutes and commandments" See SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION.
1 Reis 3:15
3:15 "the ark of the covenant" By YHWH appearing to Solomon in a dream at Gibeon, this shows He was not limited to the tabernacle. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ARK OF THE COVENANT ▣ "burnt offerings" See SPECIAL TOPIC: BURNT OFFERINGS. ▣ "peace offerings" See SPECIAL TOPIC: PEACE OFFERING.
1 Reis 3:16-22
3:16-18 This is one example of Solomon's wisdom to judge. When people heard of it they feared/respected Solomon (v. 28). See Josephus, Antiq. 8.2.2. 3:16 NASB, NKJV, Peshitta "harlots" NRSV, TEV, NJB, REB, JPSOA, LXX "prostitutes" The MT has a Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE, "act as a harlot" (BDB 275, KB 275; NIDOTTE, vol. 1, pp. 1122-1125), but the Aramaic Targums have "inn keeper," like Rahab (Josh. 2:1).
1 Reis 3:23-28
3:26 "by no means kill him" This is an emphatic construction (i.e., an INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and an IMPERFECT VERB of the same root), which is repeated in v. 27. 3:28 "feared the king" This is "fear" (BDB 431, KB 432, Qal IMPERFECT with waw) in the sense of "respect" (see NIDOTTE, vol. 2, p. 529, #2). SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR (OT)