Christmas · Second Sunday after Christmas · Year B
1 Kings 3:4-15
Solomon Asks for Wisdom
January 3, 2027
Overview & Insights
“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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Commentary
Commentary on 1 Kings 3:5-12 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegesis on Solomon's dream at Gibeon and his request for a listening heart, the RCL page for this passage.
1 Kings 3 Commentary: Solomon's Wisdom and Riches Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's evangelical verse-by-verse study of the Gibeon dream and the gift of a discerning heart.
1 Kings 3:4 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators aggregated on Solomon's sacrifice at Gibeon and the Lord's appearing in a dream.
1 Kings 3 Commentary Precept Austin
Deep verse-by-verse resource collating scholars and word studies on Solomon's prayer for wisdom.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: 1 Kings Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the succession of Solomon and the theology of kingship in Kings.
I Kings 3 (Hebrew and English) Sefaria
Hebrew text with English and Jewish commentary for the real Old Testament reading.
1 Kings 3:4 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew text with parsing and Strong's numbers for the listening heart (lev shomea) Solomon requests.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What does Solomon ask for at Gibeon?
Given anything he asks, the young king Solomon requests not long life or riches but a discerning heart to govern God's people, and God grants him wisdom and much more besides.
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