American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
1 Kings 3
1
And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into 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.
Reference
People
2
Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built to the name of the LORD, until those days.
Reference
3
And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
Reference
4
And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer on that altar.
Reference
Kingdom
2 Chronicles 7:5
1 Kings 8:63
2 Chronicles 30:24
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 16:39
2 Chronicles 1:3
Joshua 9:3
Sacrifice
1 Chronicles 21:29
Isaiah 40:16
5
In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give you.
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 10:36
John 15:16
Mark 11:24
References God
1 Kings 11:9
References Lord
1 Kings 9:2
Numbers 12:6
Matthew 2:13
Matthew 2:19
Matthew 1:20
6
And Solomon said, You have showed to your servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before you in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you; and you have kept for him this great kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Kings 1:48
2 Corinthians 9:11
Psalm 116:7
Psalm 119:17
2 Corinthians 9:5
Numbers 12:7
References David
1 Kings 9:4
Righteousness
Psalm 15:2
Truth
1 Kings 2:4
2 Kings 20:3
7
And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
Reference
Kingdom
1 Chronicles 29:1
Ecclesiastes 10:16
Daniel 2:21
Daniel 4:25
Daniel 5:18
Parallel theme
John 10:9
References David
1 Samuel 18:16
References God
Jeremiah 1:6
References Lord
Numbers 27:17
Psalm 121:8
8
And your servant is in the middle of your people which you have chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 15:5
1 Chronicles 21:2
Genesis 13:16
Genesis 22:17
Psalm 78:71
1 Samuel 12:22
9
Give therefore your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this your so great a people?
Reference
Good
Hebrews 5:14
2 Samuel 14:17
Judgment
John 5:30
2 Chronicles 1:10
Parallel theme
James 1:5
Proverbs 16:16
1 Chronicles 22:12
Ephesians 5:17
Psalm 119:34
2 Corinthians 3:5
10
And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing.
Reference
References Lord
Proverbs 15:8
11
And God said to him, Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life; neither have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies; but have asked for yourself understanding to discern judgment;
Reference
12
Behold, I have done according to your words: see, I have given you a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like you before you, neither after you shall any arise like to you.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ecclesiastes 1:16
1 Kings 5:12
1 Kings 3:28
Isaiah 65:24
Luke 21:15
2 Chronicles 2:12
Colossians 2:3
1 Kings 2:9
Psalm 10:17
Resurrection
Matthew 12:42
13
And I have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like to you all your days.
Reference
14
And if you will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father David did walk, then I will lengthen your days.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 91:16
Proverbs 3:2
Zechariah 3:7
Proverbs 3:16
Psalm 132:12
Psalm 21:4
References David
1 Kings 15:5
1 Kings 3:6
2 Chronicles 34:2
Acts 13:22
15
And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.
Reference
16
Then came there two women, that were harlots, to the king, and stood before him.
Reference
Parallel theme
Exodus 18:16
17
And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.
18
And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.
19
And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it.
20
And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while your handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.
Reference
21
And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 21:7
22
And the other woman said, No; but the living is my son, and the dead is your son. And this said, No; but the dead is your son, and the living is my son. Thus they spoke before the king.
23
Then said the king, The one said, This is my son that lives, and your son is the dead: and the other said, No; but your son is the dead, and my son is the living.
24
And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.
25
And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 25:8
26
Then spoke the woman whose the living child was to the king, for her bowels yearned on her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither my nor yours, but divide it.
Reference
Kingdom
Isaiah 49:15
Parallel theme
1 John 3:17
Genesis 43:30
Hosea 11:8
Philippians 1:8
Philippians 2:1
References Lord
Jeremiah 31:20
27
Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.
28
And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.
Reference
Judgment
Ezra 7:25
Kingdom
Daniel 2:47
Proverbs 24:21
Daniel 2:21
Parallel theme
Colossians 2:3
Ecclesiastes 7:19
References God
1 Corinthians 1:24
Summary of 1 Kings 3
This chapter introduces Solomon as the wise king chosen by God to lead Israel.
After becoming king, Solomon recognized that ruling God's people required more than political authority. At Gibeon, God appeared to him and offered to grant whatever he requested. Solomon's humble response revealed his priorities: instead of seeking wealth, power, or long life, he asked for wisdom and understanding so he could judge Israel properly.
God was pleased with Solomon's request and granted him extraordinary wisdom, along with riches and honor. However, God reminded Solomon that continued blessing required continued obedience.
The chapter concludes with the famous judgment of the two women and the living child. Through this case, Solomon's wisdom became publicly known throughout Israel. His ability to discern truth and administer justice established confidence in his leadership.
The chapter presents Solomon at the height of his spiritual potential. He begins his reign with humility, dependence on God, and a desire to serve others. It also provides an important reminder that great gifts require faithful stewardship.
After becoming king, Solomon recognized that ruling God's people required more than political authority. At Gibeon, God appeared to him and offered to grant whatever he requested. Solomon's humble response revealed his priorities: instead of seeking wealth, power, or long life, he asked for wisdom and understanding so he could judge Israel properly.
God was pleased with Solomon's request and granted him extraordinary wisdom, along with riches and honor. However, God reminded Solomon that continued blessing required continued obedience.
The chapter concludes with the famous judgment of the two women and the living child. Through this case, Solomon's wisdom became publicly known throughout Israel. His ability to discern truth and administer justice established confidence in his leadership.
The chapter presents Solomon at the height of his spiritual potential. He begins his reign with humility, dependence on God, and a desire to serve others. It also provides an important reminder that great gifts require faithful stewardship.