1 Kings 3:8-9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 3:9

One of the chief functions of the Oriental monarch is always to hear and decide causes. Hence, supreme magistrates were naturally called “judges.” (See the introduction to the Book of Judges.) In the minds of the Jews the “judge” and the “prince” were always closely associated, the direct cognisance of causes being constantly taken by their chief civil governors. (See Exodus 2:14; Exodus 18:16, Exo 18:22; 1 Samuel 8:20; 2 Samuel 15:2-6.)Good and bad - i. e. “right and wrong,” “justice and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 3:6-8

1 Kings 3:6-8. According as he walked before thee in truth In the true worship of God, in the profession, belief, practice, and defence of the true religion. So truth here contains all duties to God, as righteousness doth his duties to men, and uprightness the right manner of performing both sorts of duties. In uprightness of heart with thee That is, in thy judgment, to whom he appealed as the witness of his integrity. I am but a child So he was in years: not above twenty years... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 3:9

1 Kings 3:9. Give to thy servant an understanding heart Whereby I may both clearly discern, and faithfully perform all the parts of my duty: for both these are spoken of in Scripture as the effects of a good understanding; and he that lives in the neglect of his duties, or the practice of wickedness, is called a fool, and one void of understanding. To judge thy people Or govern, as that word is often used. That I may discern between good and bad Namely, in causes and controversies... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:1-28

Solomon’s wisdom (3:1-28)David’s power had come through war and conquest; Solomon’s came through clever commercial and political agreements with neighbouring countries. Solomon gave impressive public display of his loyalty to God, but he ignored God’s warnings when he saw advantages to be gained through foreign alliances. His marriage to the daughter of Pharaoh guaranteed peace for Israel in a region where Egypt was the chief power, but it probably required Solomon to pay respect to Egypt’s... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 3:9

Give. Compare 2 Chronicles 1:10 . understanding = hearing. Solomon began by asking wisdom from God. Rehoboam (his son) began by asking counsel from man (1 Kings 12:6 , 1 Kings 12:8 ). read more

Thomas Coke

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

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

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

Group of Brands