Christmas · Second Sunday after Christmas · Year C
1 Kings 3:4-15
Solomon Asks for Wisdom
January 2, 2028
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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Take it further: 1 Kings 3:4-15
Commentary
Working Preacher: Commentary on 1 Kings 3:4-9 [10-15] 16-28Working Preacher: Commentary on 1 Kgs 3:4-9 [10-15] 16-28 Working Preacher
Lutheran lectionary commentary on Solomon's dream request for a listening heart.
CEP: 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14 CommentaryCEP: 1 Kgs 2:10-12, 3:3-14 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary on Solomon's succession and his request for wisdom.
Enduring Word: 1 Kings 3Enduring Word: 1 Kgs 3 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the chapter.
Precept Austin: 1 Kings 3 CommentaryPrecept Austin: 1 Kgs 3 Commentary Precept Austin
Study page gathering many conservative commentators verse by verse on the chapter.
StudyLight: 1 Kings 3:4 CommentariesStudyLight: 1 Kgs 3:4 Commentaries StudyLight
Many complete commentaries gathered on this passage page.
BibleHub: Commentaries on 1 Kings 3:4BibleHub: Commentaries on 1 Kgs 3:4 BibleHub
Parallel classic commentaries keyed to Solomon's sacrifice and dream at Gibeon.
BibleHub: 1 Kings 3:4 InterlinearBibleHub: 1 Kgs 3:4 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew text with parsing for the understanding mind 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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