Comments on 1 Kings 3 Chapter 3 appears to be contrasting some unwise things Solomon did (v. 1-4) with some more wise things (v. 5-28) he did. v1 Making diplomatic deals with foreign countries, especially Egypt, was explicitly prohibited in the Law, cf. Deut. 17:16. v2-4 While the Tabernacle was available to the Israelites to worship in, the people went out onto various mounts to offer sacrifices as well. This would clearly not be acceptable to the Lord because He has established the means of sacrifice via the Law through the Levites in the Tabernacle. Furthermore, those sacrificing on hilltops and mountains are probably mixing in some of the local sacrificial customs into their worship of the Lord, which would certainly be frowned upon. Certainly, the early patriarchs had sacrificed on hilltops and mountains (and I would guess this was used to rationalize and falsely justify the practice), but that was previous to the codification of the Law and construction of the Tabernacle. v5-15 The Lord appears to Solomon in a dream-vision (v. 15) and asks him what he would like Him to grant (v. 5). Solomon praises the Lord (v. 6), and then chooses wisdom and discernment in judging and leading Israel (v. 9), because he feels inadequate to the task (v. 7-8). The Lord is pleased with Solomon's request, since he did not ask for anything selfish like wealth or long life (v. 10-11), and grants it (v. 12), along with blessings of wealth and fame (v. 13). He then ends the blessings with a conditional one of long life if he keeps His commandments (v. 14). Solomon accepts the dream-vision as real and is greateful for the blessings, so he goes to the Tabernacle in Jerusalem to offer sacrifice to the Lord (v. 15). v15 Note Solomon is sacrificing at the Ark in the Tabernacle, and not on a hilltop anymore as he was in v. 2-4. v16-27 An amazingly clever means of determining the truth in a difficult situation. Note especially the women themselves are not condemned, even though they are prostitutes. Solomon is seeking justice in the cases brought before him, but he is not lashing out at everyone around him and looking for people to mete justice upon. His failure to address their activities also turns out to be ironic as he himself ends up getting into trouble with foreign women and concubines and so forth. Thus, his apparent failure to censure the women for prostitution may be due to his own feelings of guilt over or his rationalizations about sex immorality. So, while Solomon is very clever is resolving the particular matter at hand, he is ignoring the broader issues of dishonesty, prostitution, and the condition of the men of Israel such that there is even any demand for prostitutes. Solomon is booksmart and wise in words (cf. 4:32-34), but not nearly so wise in deeds. v28 Solomon's wisdom in judgement becomes well-known and repsected among all Israel, and they recognize him as inspired of God. Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.