1 Kings 3:9-11 WEB

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 3:7-9

1 Kings 3:7-9. I am but a little child, &c.— It is plain that Solomon means here, that he was only a little child, a mere infant, in understanding and abilities, to guide and govern so great a people. See Psalms 131:2. Houbigant observes, that the phrase, ובא צאת tseth vabo, to go out or come in, is not only a Hebraism frequent in the sacred writings, but also a similitude taken from a little child, yet unable to walk firmly, and ignorant of all things; such as Solomon professes himself to... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 3:10

10. the speech pleased the Lord—It was Solomon's waking prayers that God heard and requited, but the acceptance was signified in this vision. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 3:4-15

Solomon’s petition for Wisdom 3:4-15A tabernacle, evidently the Mosaic tabernacle, and the Mosaic tabernacle’s bronze altar still stood at Gibeon (lit. little hill; 1 Chronicles 16:39-40; 1 Chronicles 21:28-29; 2 Chronicles 1:3; 2 Chronicles 1:5-6). Gibeon was one of the so-called high places where the people offered sacrifices to Yahweh. Burnt offerings symbolized the dedication of the worshipper’s person to God (Leviticus 1). By offering 1,000 of these sacrifices Solomon was expressing his... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 3:1-28

Solomon’s ChoiceThis chapter relates how Solomon, out of various gifts offered to him by the Almighty, chose wisdom, and adds an illustration of the use he made of the gift with which he was endowed.1. Pharaoh] probably one of the immediate predecessors of the Shishak (Sheshonk) mentioned in 1 Kings 11:40 is intended. His own house.. Lord] see 1 Kings 7, 6. Both of these buildings were outside the limits of the city of David.2. High places] Both the Canaanites (see Numbers 33:52; Deuteronomy... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Kings 3:11

(11) Because thou hast asked.—It is obvious to note this verse as a fulfilment of the Divine law, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and -all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). All these secondary blessings are good, just so far as they conduce to the supreme good, which is the growth of the human nature, by the knowledge of God and by faithfully doing His work on earth, to the perfection designed for it in His wisdom. So long as Solomon used them in... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Kings 3:1-28

Our Weakness Our Strength 1 Kings 3:7 These were the words of a very wise and great man, when he was just succeeding to his high dignities and was on the eve of one of the greatest works which was ever given to a man to do. It is the Moseses, the Solomons, the Jeremiahs, who always feel their nothingness. The higher you ascend in the true scale of manhood, the more unaffected and entire is the acknowledgment 'I am but a little child'. One only who ever lived and achieved the greatnesses of... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:1-28

THE BOY-KING’S WISDOM1 Kings 3:1-28"An oracle is upon the lips of a king."- Proverbs 16:10 (Hebrews)."A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eye."- Proverbs 20:8"Ch’ei fu Re, che chiese senno Accioche Re sufficiente fosse." DANTE, Parad., 13:95."Deos ipsos precor ut mihi ad finem usque vitae quietam et intelligentem humani divinique juris mentem duint."-TAC., Ann., 4:38.IT would have thrown an interesting light on the character and development of... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Kings 3:1-28

2. Jehovah Appears to Solomon His Prayer and the Answer CHAPTER 3 1. Affinity with Pharaoh and Pharaoh’s daughter (1 Kings 3:1 ) 2. Solomon loved the LORD (1 Kings 3:2-4 ) 3. Jehovah appears to Solomon (1 Kings 3:5-15 ) 4. The wisdom granted and exemplified (1 Kings 3:16-28 ) We shall now see how the Lord kept His promise He made unto David in the establishment of his kingdom. After the execution of the demanded judgment Solomon entered into affinity with Pharaoh King of Egypt... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 1 Kings 3:9

3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so {g} great a people?(g) Which are so many in number. read more