1 Kings 3:5, 7-12

“Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people.” (1 Kings 3:9)

Wisdom (Hb. ḥoḵmâ ) has already played an important role in the narrative, guiding Solomon in his treatment of those who were a threat to him (1 Kgs. 2:6, 9). It will play an even more central role now in 1 Kings 3. Solomon has a dream wherein he confesses a lack of discernment before God and is promised (among other things) a “wise and discerning heart” (3:4–15). He then hands down a legal judgment in which his use of this new gift is of crucial importance (3:16–28). The major question of interpretation is how to understand this new material on Solomon and wisdom in the light of both the general context provided by 1 Kings 1–2 and the more specific context provided by 1 Kings 3:1–3. How does 1 Kings 3 function to carry the Solomon story forward, particularly in its characterization of the king?

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