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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 3:8

And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen ,.... To be his special and peculiar people above all people on the earth; this is not to be understood locally, though Jerusalem, where his palace was, was in the middle of the land; but of the exercise of his office, he being placed over the people, and among them, and having the care and inspection of them: a great people, that cannot be numbered and counted for multitude ; being for number as the stars in the sky,... 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

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 3:8

And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen [see Deuteronomy 7:6 ], a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. [The promises of Genesis 13:16 ; Genesis 15:5 , lived in the thoughts and language of the Jews, and were doubtless the original of this expression. Cf. also Numbers 23:10 .] 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 3:8

Compare the marginal references. Solomon regards the promises as fulfilled in the existing greatness and glory of the Jewish nation. read more

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