1 Kings 3:8-9

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 3:9

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. Judge, or, govern, as that word is used, Judges 3:10; Judges 4:4; Psalms 7:8; Psalms 67:4; Isaiah 2:4; Isaiah 16:5. That I may discern between good and bad, to wit, in causes and... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - 1 Kings 3:5-15

CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.—1 Kings 3:5. In Gibson the Lord appeared to Solomon—Probably during this sacrificial festival. 1 Kings 3:7. A little child: נַעַר קָטּן a weak boy; but it is an error to suppose him only twelve years of age (as say the Rabbins, and after them Keil); for David called him a “man” (1 Kings 2:9) before this incident, and after forty years’ reign he is called זַקִוִ “old” (1 Kings 11:4); hence he must have been at least twenty years of age. But he felt himself a mere... read more

William Nicoll

Sermon Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:6-9

1 Kings 3:6-9 I. In what sense, it may be asked, did David expect that his son's kingdom would be a Divine and spiritual one, in what sense an earthly and magnificent one? I answer, He looked for no earthly magnificence which was not the manifestation of an inward and spiritual dominion; he feared no earthly magnificence which was a manifestation of it. Solomon's own history will be the best solution of the riddle, if it is one. II. Solomon beseeches God for an understanding heart. All his... read more

William Nicoll

Sermon Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:9-12

1 Kings 3:9-12 I. God comes to every one of us saying, "Ask what I shall give thee." Goethe said he admired the man who knew precisely what he aimed at in life. God wishes you at the commencement of your career to come up to the height of a great choice. You must choose, your refusal to choose is itself a choice, and it is the liberty to choose your own aim in life, and at last your own destiny, that makes life so serious, Life comes to every man with its riddle; and if he answers it aright, it... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 3:1-28

Chapter 3Now Solomon begins the gathering of wives of which it seemed had no end.He made an affinity with the Pharaoh of Egypt, and he took the Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her to the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about ( 1 Kings 3:1 ).So he took first of all the Pharaoh's daughter as his wife and later on he built her a house there in Jerusalem. But he was wanting now to build a house for the... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 3:1-28

1 Kings 3:1 . Solomon took Pharaoh’s daughter. It would appear from the 45th Psalm, which the rabbins with one consent affirm, was the nuptial ode for this marriage, that David had made arrangements for it prior to his demise. The law, Deuteronomy 7:3, it is thought did not bear on this point, but against marriages with the Canaanites. 1 Kings 3:2 . Only the people sacrificed in high places, to the Lord, as their fathers and as Samuel had done. Moses however names but one place which... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - 1 Kings 3:5-15

1 Kings 3:5-15The Lord appeared again to Solomon in a dream.Dreams indicate characterTell me your dreams, and I will read the riddle of your life. Tell me your prayers, and I will write the history of a soul. Tell me your askings, and I will tell you your gettings. Tell me what you seek, and I will tell you what you are. I do not wish to know your possessions--only your wants. I do not care to know what you have--only what you have not, and desire to have; not your attainments, but what you... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 3:8

1Ki 3:8 And thy servant [is] in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Ver. 8. Is in the midst of thy people. ] As lordkeeper of both tables of the law; as an antesignanus, a supreme governor. Royalty without wisdom is but eminent dishonour. A great people. ] The greater is my charge, and must be my care, who am yet unexperienced, unqualified. read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 3:9

1Ki 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 great a people? Ver. 9. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart. ] Heb., A hearing heart; for wisdom is gotten by prayer and hearing the word, by begging and digging, as Proverbs 2:3-4 ; we also must run the like method, Jam 1:5 ran through all the exercises of Christ’s school, if we would be wise to salvation. That I may... read more

Samuel Bagster

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - 1 Kings 3:8

thy people: Exodus 19:5, Exodus 19:6, Deuteronomy 7:6-Ruth :, 1 Samuel 12:22, Psalms 78:71 cannot: Genesis 13:16, Genesis 15:5, Genesis 22:17, 1 Chronicles 21:2, 1 Chronicles 21:5, 1 Chronicles 21:6, 1 Chronicles 27:23, 1 Chronicles 27:24 Reciprocal: Genesis 12:2 - General Exodus 18:17 - not good 1 Kings 4:20 - as the sand 2 Kings 9:6 - over the people 2 Chronicles 1:9 - for thou hast Daniel 2:21 - he giveth read more

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