1 Kings 3:9-14

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:12

Behold, I have done according to thy words ,.... Expressed in his request: he not only promised he would grant him it, but he had already done it, or at least had begun to do it: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart ; had greatly increased his wisdom and understanding in things political, things respecting civil government, and also in things natural, in the knowledge of the things of nature as appears from 1 Kings 4:33 ; and of the arts and sciences: so that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:13

And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked ,.... That is, intended to give him, and now promised it, and was about to bestow it on him: both riches and honour ; the former through the presents and tribute of the nations about him, and his trading to foreign parts; and the latter chiefly through his wisdom, the fame of which was spread everywhere: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days ; that is, none like him for riches and honour... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:14

And if thou wilt walk in my ways ,.... Prescribed and directed to in his word, to keep my statutes and my commandments ; ceremonial, moral, and judicial: as thy father David did walk ; which Solomon himself had observed, 1 Kings 3:6 ; and whose walk was worthy of his imitation: then I will lengthen thy days ; the other promises of riches and honour are absolute, but this of long life conditional, depending upon his holy walk and conversation; and hence, because he failed in... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 3:12

I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart - I have given thee a capacious mind, one capable of knowing much: make a proper use of thy powers, under the direction of my Spirit, and thou shalt excel in wisdom all that have gone before thee; neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. But, query, Was not all this conditional? If he should walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and commandments, 1 Kings 3:14 . Was it not to depend upon his proper use of... 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

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