1 Kings 3:9-11 WEB

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 3:1-28

SOLOMON RECEIVES WISDOM FROM GOD (vs.1-15) However, early in Solomon's reign he slipped into the snare of making a treaty with the king of Egypt. Israel had before escaped from the bondage of Egypt, a type of the world in its independence of God. Believers are warned not to be friends with the world (James 4:4), for such friendship is actually enmity against God. This friendship of Solomon then went farther still in his being married to a daughter of Pharaoh. Such laxity of conscience did... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:1-28

SOLOMON ’S GREATNESS AND WISDOM HIS EGYPTIAN ALLIANCE (1 Kings 3:1-4 ) It is disappointing at the beginning to speak of that which betokens neither greatness nor wisdom on Solomon’s part, looking at it from the highest point of view. This marriage with a heathen wife was contrary to the law of God (Exodus 34:16 ); and while it was entered into for political reasons, and to strengthen Israel’s hands, yet in the end it weakened them, as Israel came to trust in Pharaoh more than Jehovah. And... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Kings 3:1-28

Solomon's Character 1Ki 3:3 WHICH of these elements will conquer at the last? The sentence is divided into two parts. There is only a semicolon between the one part and the other, so far as its typographical relation is concerned; but the two parts are wide asunder morally as far as the east is from the west. In which part of the sentence will Solomon die? This is a question which concerns every man; for the same sentence may be employed in describing the character of most of those who have... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Kings 3:6-9

(6) And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. (7) And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. (8) And thy servant is in the... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Kings 3:10-14

(10) And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. (11) And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; (12) Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:9

Understanding. Literally, "docile." (Haydock) --- Hebrew, "willing to hear," and to obey God. (Menochius) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 3:5-15

5-15 Solomon's dream was not a common one. While his bodily powers were locked up in sleep, the powers of his soul were strengthened; he was enabled to receive the Divine vision, and to make a suitable choice. God, in like manner, puts us in the ready way to be happy, by assuring us we shall have what we need, and pray for. Solomon's making such a choice when asleep, and the powers of reason least active, showed it came from the grace of God. Having a humble sense of his own wants and weakness,... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 1 Kings 3:1-15

Solomon at Gibeon v. 1. And Solomon made affinity, he entered into a family alliance through marriage, with Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, making her his wife chiefly for political reasons, for the two kingdoms mere now equally powerful, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, for he was desirous of erecting his own palace, and the house of the Lord, the Temple, and the wall of Jerusalem round about, David having... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - 1 Kings 3:1-28

SECOND SECTIONThe Beginning Of Solomon’s Reign1 Kings 3:1 to 1 Kings 5:14A.—Solomon’s marriage, solemn sacrifice and prayer; first judicial decision1 Kings 3:1-281And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the Lord [Jehovah], and the wall 2[walls] of Jerusalem round about. Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built... read more

Alexander MacLaren

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - 1 Kings 3:5-15

1 Kings A YOUNG MAN’S WISE CHOICE OF WISDOM 1Ki_3:5 - 1Ki_3:15 . The new king was apparently some nineteen or twenty years old on his accession. He stepped at once out of seclusion and idleness to bear the whole weight of the kingdom. The glories of David’s reign, his brother Adonijah’s pretensions to the crown, the smouldering hostility of Saul’s old partisans, made his position difficult and his throne unsteady. No doubt, ‘the weight of too much dignity’ pressed on the youth, and this... read more