Session 1 1 Kings 3:4-15
1 KINGS 3:4-15
MEMORY VERSE: 1 KINGS 3:9
Some of our choices are life altering. Deciding to get a side order of peas instead of carrots, though, is not. Nei-ther is choosing where to park at the store, what socks to wear, or whether to mow the yard today or tomorrow. But choosing whether to stay in school, who to marry, where to live—these are decisions with life-changing ramifications. God gave young King Solomon an opportunity to make a decision that would affect the course of his life. Solomon’s selection may seem surprising, but it has lessons for us today.
(In PSG, p 10)
As King David neared the time of his death (1 Kings 1:1-4), Adonijah, David’s oldest son, sought to become Israel’s next king (1:5-10). Nathan the prophet discovered Adonijah’s plan and consulted with Bathsheba, Sol-omon’s mother (1:11-14). Bathsheba and Nathan went before David, who confirmed Solomon was his choice to become the next king (1:15-31). David summoned his key officials and commanded them to organize a corona-tion for Solomon at once (1:32-35). The officials carried out David’s orders and all Jerusalem rejoiced at Solo-mon’s accession to the throne (1:36-40).
David instructed Solomon to follow the Lord all his days but also guard himself against enemies (2:1-9). David then died, and Solomon took control of the kingdom (2:10-12). He followed his father’s advice and dealt with his and David’s enemies (2:13-46).
Solomon was a powerful king, and the king of Egypt made an alliance with him (3:1). Solomon then took a delegation to Gibeon, the site of the tabernacle, to offer sacrifices to God (3:4; 2 Chron. 1:3,6). At Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and invited Solomon to ask for whatever he wanted (1 Kings 3:5).
Solomon responded humbly (3:6-9). He asked for a wise and discerning heart to judge well. The king’s re-sponse pleased God (3:10-14). Soon after, the king powerfully displayed his wisdom by rendering a judgment between two women who claimed the same baby (3:16-28).
Many officials served King Solomon (4:1-6). He divided the land into twelve districts, and these districts supplied the expenses for the king’s household one month out of each year (4:7-19). David had conquered the entire region from Egypt into Syria; Solomon took advantage of his position and brought prosperity to his kingdom (4:20-28).
Solomon’s wisdom exceeded the wise men of his day (4:29-31). The king composed 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs, and also commented on and wrote about many topics related to animals and agriculture (4:32-34).
EXPLORE THE TEXT
4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there because it was the most famous high place. He offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask. What should I give you?”
After Solomon solidified his hold on the kingdom, the king went to Gibeon. Gibeon lay approximately seven miles north-northwest of Jerusalem in the tribal territory of Benjamin (Josh. 18:25). During the days of Joshua, Israel’s great leader after Moses, the Gibeonites deceitfully formed an alliance with the Israelites so the Israelites would not kill them (Josh 9:3-27). When a southern coalition of Canaanite kings then attacked Gibeon, Israel’s army intervened and defeated those kings (Josh. 10:1-11). During that battle, the Lord stopped the sun in the sky at Joshua’s request (Josh 10:12-14)!
The parallel passage in 2 Chronicles informs us Solomon invited many leaders to join him at Gibeon in this special act of dedication (2 Chron. 1:3). The king traveled to Gibeon to sacrifice there because it was the most famous high place. Again, the parallel passage in 2 Chronicles 1 mentions that Gibeon was the location of the tent of meeting, the key part of the tabernacle (2 Chron. 1:3). When God’s people first entered the land, they camped at Shiloh in Canaan’s heartland, where they set up the tent of meeting (Josh. 18:1). Later, the tent was moved to Nob (1 Sam. 21:1-6), and at some point was relocated to Gibeon.
Immediately south of Gibeon stood a large hill; today it is called “Nebi Samwil,” which in Arabic means “the prophet Samuel.” Some interpreters believe the tent of meeting was there, and if it was, the site would have afforded Solomon a wonderful view of the kingdom he now ruled.
Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar. The bronze altar of burnt offering stood in the courtyard outside the tent of meeting (Ex. 27:1-8). Solomon brought sacrifices to the God who had appointed him king of Israel. He desired to begin his reign with a time of worship.
Worship of our God is always appropriate but especially when we face a major decision or enter a new chapter of life. Worship reminds us that God is guiding our lives and puts us in a better frame of mind to hear from Him.
At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. The Bible mentions many times when God revealed His will to people through dreams. God guided the patriarch Jacob in this way (Gen. 28:12-15), as well as Jacob’s son Joseph (Gen. 37:5-11). He also revealed His will to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, through dreams Joseph interpreted (Gen. 40:1-7; 41:14-32). God guided Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, through dreams on several occasions (Matt. 1:20; 2:13,19-20, 22). Not all dreams communicate God’s will for our lives, but God can work this way if He chooses.
In Solomon’s dream, the Lord said to him, Ask. What should I give you? God’s favor clearly rested on Solomon, and through this offer, God was challenging Solomon to define his reign as king. What would be most important on Solomon’s agenda? What would he ask?
When we worship God, we affirm He is sovereign over all. We also acknowledge our own dependency on Him to guide our lives for our good and for His glory (Rom. 8:28).
(In PSG, p. 13)
6 And Solomon replied, “You have shown great and faithful love to your servant, my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, righteousness, and integrity. You have continued this great and faithful love for him by giving him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today.
Solomon replied to God’s gracious offer, and the king’s answer revealed his character. Solomon affirmed, You have shown great and faithful love to your servant, my father David. The word you here stresses God’s personal role in showing faithful love first to David and then to Solomon. Solomon knew God’s relationship with Israel did not begin with him; rather, his father David had a relationship with God. The word translated faithful love also can mean “lovingkindness,” “faithfulness,” “mercy,” or “favor.” David was one of Israel’s greatest kings; yet Solomon described him as God’s servant. The apostle Paul later would describe himself as God’s servant and encouraged all believers to embrace this role (Rom. 1:1; 6:17-22).
Solomon said of his father, he walked before you. The Bible says Enoch and Noah also walked with God (Gen. 5:22; 6:9). Walking with God describes a personal relationship with God in the New Testament as well (Col. 2:6). Does walking with God characterize your life?
Solomon testified that David demonstrated faithfulness, righteousness, and integrity. The word translated faithfulness is related to the word “amen” in Hebrew. Consistency marked David’s relationship with God. The term righteousness describes a positive characteristic of goodness, and David had demonstrated that quality on many occasions. David also walked before God with integrity (literally, “uprightness of heart”). David’s heart pursued God faithfully. David was by no means perfect; yet, overall, his life displayed a desire to walk with God.
Solomon also affirmed of God you have continued this great and faithful love for him by giving him a son to sit on his throne. The king highlighted God’s favor that now extended to him. What God began with Solomon’s father He now continued in Solomon’s life. God had promised David that one day, David’s descendant would rule Israel, build God’s temple, and receive God’s favor (2 Sam. 7:12-15).
7 “LORD my God, you have now made your servant king in my father David’s place. Yet I am just a youth with no experience in leadership. 8 Your servant is among your people you have chosen, a people too many to be numbered or counted.
The words LORD my God stress Solomon’s personal relationship with God. His affirmation you have now made your servant king in my father David’s place highlighted God’s special attention to the process, as it also did in verse 6.
Solomon must have experienced a sense of wonder as he pondered his new role. He articulated his humility with his confession: Yet I am just a youth with no experience in leadership. The word translated youth does not imply Solomon was a young child or teenager. However, Solomon considered himself a youth in terms of his preparedness to reign over Israel. The expression translated no experience in leadership literally reads, “I know not how to go out or come in.” It denotes the conducting of ordinary matters of life, including perhaps leadership skills (Ps. 121:8). Solomon felt inexperienced for life, let alone to assume Israel’s throne.
Solomon’s response to God displayed true humility. Godly leaders know they are only effective when they lean on God for direction. Solomon was beginning a big task, and he knew he needed God’s help.
Solomon also declared of himself, your servant is among your people you have chosen. Over a thousand years earlier, God had called Abram (later Abraham) to Canaan and promised to bless him greatly and make of his descendants a great nation (Gen. 12:1-3). God indeed had chosen Solomon, but long before, He had chosen Israel as His covenant people. By God’s grace, Israel had become a people too many to be numbered or counted. Solomon recognized his people would look to him to lead well. How could one man do this?
I once heard a pastor say, “The Christian life was not designed to be easy or to be difficult. It was designed to be impossible.” Another pastor once asked, “What’s going on in your life right now that only God’s presence can explain?” It was a great question to ponder. God calls us to live for Him and serve Him by the Holy Spirit’s power in us (Rom. 8:10-11). Only that way can we live the life God calls us to live.
9 So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?”
Solomon asked God, give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people. The expression receptive heart literally means “listening heart.” Solomon knew a good leader listened to the people he ruled. He desired to issue decisions that reflected God’s character and justice, so he needed to listen well. The parallel passage in 2 Chronicles mentions Solomon included in his request a desire for godly wisdom and knowledge (2 Chron. 1:10).
Solomon desired the ability to discern between good and evil. The word translated discern is related to the word “between.” The king desired the ability to distinguish clearly between good and evil courses of action.
Solomon’s question for who is able to judge this great people of yours? was rhetorical. Solomon knew no one was able to judge God’s people effectively apart from God’s hand on his life. He needed God’s help, and he humbly asked for it.
We need God’s wisdom to face life’s challenges. To be sure, God does give His children intelligence and the ability to think and discern issues. At the same time, He often places before us opportunities and challenges too great for natural human wisdom to handle. James, a half-brother of Jesus, wrote that any of us who lacks wisdom should ask God, and He will give it to us (Jas. 1:5).
10 Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had requested this. 11 So God said to him, “Because you have requested this and did not ask for long life or riches for yourself, or the death of your enemies, but you asked discernment for yourself to administer justice, 12 I will therefore do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again. 13 In addition, I will give you what you did not ask for: both riches and honor, so that no king will be your equal during your entire life. 14 If you walk in my ways and keep my statutes and commands just as your father David did, I will give you a long life.”
God heard Solomon’s reply and looked on it with favor. The king knew he needed God’s help to fulfill God’s purpose, and God was pleased Solomon recognized this.
God commended Solomon for the things he did not request. First, Solomon did not ask for long life. A king’s reign could be short-lived, particularly if a rival sensed weakness and decided to overthrow him.
Solomon also had not asked for riches. Many kings accumulated much wealth, and Solomon might have desired wealth either for selfish means or to use it to bless others. Regardless, Solomon recognized that other things were more important than riches.
Solomon had also not asked for the death of any enemies. Often when kings came to power, they put to death potential rivals, including the former king’s descendants (1 Kings 15:28-29; 16:10-11). Solomon had already put to death Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei, who had opposed either him or his father David (1 Kings 2:24-25,28-34,36-46). Nevertheless, Solomon had not asked God to kill other enemies.
God confirmed Solomon’s request: you asked discernment for yourself to administer justice. He assured Solomon, I will therefore do what you have asked. The Hebrew verb tenses in verse 12 are in the perfect tense. We could render God’s words: “I have therefore done what you have asked and have given you a wise and understanding heart.” Solomon would use these gifts and talents in the future, but God had already given them to him.
God’s declaration, there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again, revealed the extent of His gift to Israel’s new king. Solomon had asked for a listening heart, discernment, knowledge, and wisdom to lead God’s people, and God would give it to him so the world would know Solomon’s God was the true God.
God also assured Solomon, I will give you what you did not ask for: both riches and honor. God granted Solomon’s request but also would bless him materially and with a great reputation. He again affirmed no king will be your equal during your entire life. Indeed, Solomon’s reputation grew greatly during his reign (1 Kings 4:29-34; 10:1-9).
God also issued Solomon a spiritual challenge: walk in my ways and keep my statutes and commands just as your father David did. David had charged Solomon to follow the Lord faithfully in every respect (1 Kings 2:3-4). David understood that blessing would come to Solomon to the degree he was faithful to God’s commands. God’s charge to Solomon probably reminded him of his father’s words. If Solomon maintained spiritual faithfulness, God assured him, I will give you a long life. Solomon would know the blessing of long life so he could bless Israel for a long time.
God did give Solomon forty years as king over Israel (1 Kings 11:42). He promised to bless Solomon as long as Solomon aligned his heart with God’s purposes. Solomon could ensure that by following God’s statutes and commands faithfully.
15 Then Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream. He went to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant, and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he held a feast for all his servants.
Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream. Nonetheless, he recognized the dream communicated God’s voice to him. His encounter with God laid a significant foundation for his reign over Israel.
Solomon then went to Jerusalem, where he stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant. His father David had brought the ark to Jerusalem during his reign so he could worship before it (2 Sam. 6:12-17). Solomon now stood where his father had as he worshiped God.
Solomon further demonstrated his sincere heart when he offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. The Law of Moses commanded burnt offerings for general dedication to God (Lev. 1). Solomon was dedicating himself to God just as he had done at Gibeon. Fellowship offerings were offered to give thanks or in response to an unexpected blessing. Solomon could not have imagined the blessing God would give him at Gibeon. Solomon then held a feast for all his servants. They took time to celebrate the great work God had begun to do through King Solomon.
God answers prayers that align with His purposes. The apostle John told his readers that when they prayed according to God’s will, God heard them and would answer (1 John 5:14-15). Solomon asked for wisdom so he could serve God’s people better. His request fully aligned with God’s purpose for his life, so God was pleased to grant it.
The Bible assures us God is able to do beyond what we can ask or even imagine (Eph. 3:20). Likewise, our attitude and alignment with God’s purposes greatly impact our prayers. Imagine if believers everywhere prayed, “Lord, however you want us to serve you, give us the grace we need and we will do it.” What is God waiting on us to ask Him for?
Man
Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to fulfill the creative purpose of God. (See Psalm 8:3-6; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29.)
Read, reflect on, and react emotionally to a Bible verse.
Read reflectively God’s invitation to Solomon in 1 Kings 3:5. Suppose God appeared to you and offered you the chance to have one thing from Him. Consider the many good things you could ask for. How would your life be different if it were fully aligned with God’s purpose?