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 3:5-12 Working Preacher
Lutheran lectionary commentary on Solomon's prayer for wisdom for the complementary track.
Enduring Word: 1 Kings 3 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter.
Precept Austin: 1 Kings 3 Commentary Precept Austin
Study page gathering many conservative commentators on Solomon's request.
StudyLight: 1 Kings 3 Commentaries StudyLight
Many complete commentaries on 1 Kings 3 gathered on one passage page.
BibleHub: Commentaries on 1 Kings 3:5 BibleHub
Parallel classic commentaries keyed to God's night-time offer at Gibeon.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: 1 Kings Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's scholarly introduction to the books of Kings.
BibleProject: 1-2 Kings 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 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew-English interlinear for word-level study of the chapter.
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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