Pentecost Season · Proper 12 · Year A
1 Kings 3:5-12
Solomon Asks for Wisdom
July 26, 2026
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
Working Preacher: Commentary on 1 Kings 3:5-12Working Preacher: Commentary on 1 Kgs 3:5-12 Working Preacher
Lutheran lectionary commentary on Solomon's prayer for wisdom for the complementary track.
Enduring Word: 1 Kings 3Enduring Word: 1 Kgs 3 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter.
Precept Austin: 1 Kings 3 CommentaryPrecept Austin: 1 Kgs 3 Commentary Precept Austin
Study page gathering many conservative commentators on Solomon's request.
StudyLight: 1 Kings 3 CommentariesStudyLight: 1 Kgs 3 Commentaries StudyLight
Many complete commentaries on 1 Kings 3 gathered on one passage page.
BibleHub: Commentaries on 1 Kings 3:5BibleHub: Commentaries on 1 Kgs 3:5 BibleHub
Parallel classic commentaries keyed to God's night-time offer at Gibeon.
Background & Word Study
BibleProject: 1-2 Kings OverviewBibleProject: 1-2 Kgs Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of the story and themes of the books of Kings.
Sefaria: I Kings 3 (Hebrew) Sefaria
Hebrew text with English and classical Jewish commentary on the chapter.
BibleHub: 1 Kings 3 InterlinearBibleHub: 1 Kgs 3 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew-English interlinear for word-level study of the chapter.
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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