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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 3:5-15

We have here an account of a gracious visit which God paid to Solomon, and the communion he had with God in it, which put a greater honour upon Solomon than all the wealth and power of his kingdom did. I. The circumstances of this visit, 1 Kgs. 3:5. 1. The place. It was in Gibeon; that was the great high place, and should have been the only one, because there the tabernacle and the brazen altar were, 2 Chron. 1:3. There Solomon offered his great sacrifices, and there God owned him more than in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:9

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people ,.... Not an understanding of things spiritual, nor of things natural, though both were given him, but of things political, what related to the civil government, that he might be able to judge or rule the people of Israel in the best manner: that I may discern between good and bad ; not merely between moral good and evil, of which he had a discernment; but between right and wrong in any case or controversy that came... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:10

And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. Understanding in the affairs of civil government; since he had respect not to his own private benefit and advantage, but the good of the people he governed, and the honour and glory of God, who had set him over them, they being his chosen people, and whose vicegerent he was. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:11

And God said unto him ,.... Being yet in a dream: because thou hast asked this thing ; wisdom for government: and hast not asked for thyself long life ; which is naturally desired by men, and always reckoned a great temporal blessing, and especially to be wished for by a king living in great pomp and splendour: neither hast asked riches for thyself ; to support his grandeur; for though David his father had left him much, yet not for himself, but for the building of the temple: ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 3:9

Give - an understanding heart to judge thy people - He did not ask wisdom in general, but the true science of government. This wisdom he sought, and this wisdom he obtained. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 3:5-15

God's Gifts and Solomon's Choice. "And God said, Ask what I shall give thee," etc. "Happy Solomon!" we exclaim, as we read these words. He had all that earth could give already—youth, wealth, prosperity. glory, greatness. He stood already on the topmost pinnacle of human felicity. And now Heaven offers him his choice of blessings; now the treasure house of the infinite God is opened, and he is bidden to take what he will. Behold the favourite of Heaven! It is indeed true "there was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 3:5-16

A wise prayer. Gibeon, the scene of this incident, was one of the "high places" of the land. Worship in high places had been forbidden. Law against it not rigidly enforced until the place was chosen "where the Lord would cause his name to dwell." That Solomon's act in sacrificing at Gibeon was not condemned is proved by his being favoured with this direct Divine communication. Every scene of real worship may become the scene of special Divine manifestation. "The Lord appeared unto Solomon... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 3:9

Give therefore thy servant an understanding [Heb. hearing. Cf. verse 11 (Heb. "to hear judgment.") The idea is not docility, as the Vulg. ( cor docile ) , but discrimination, penetration. Cf. 2 Samuel 14:17 (Heb.); Philippians 1:9 , Philippians 1:10 (marg.)] heart [ i.e; a judicial mind. The "hearing heart" was desired, not that it might "give heed to the law" (Keil), but to qualify him] to Judge thy people [The Hebrew king, like most ancient monarchs, was supreme judge... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 3:9-13

The wisdom of Solomon's choice. Solomon was never more kingly than when he made this choice. Subsequently he became enervated by prosperity, corrupted by heathen associations, etc; but now he ruled as a king over himself. The bright promise of life is often gradually overcast, till it ends in the gloom of a hopeless night. Examples from Scripture, e.g; Saul the King, Esau. It is well to know the kind of choice that "pleased the Lord." In Solomon's there was true wisdom, for it had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 3:10

And the speech [Heb. thing; same word as below] pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing, [Though in a dream the judgment and will were not suspended. Our dreams accord with our waking thoughts. This would have been Solomon's choice at any time.] read more

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