1 Kings 3:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, "Ask what I shall give you."

NIV: At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."

NASB: In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, 'Ask what you wish Me to give you.'

CSB: At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, "Ask. What should I give you?"

NLT: That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, 'What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!'

KJV: In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

NKJV: At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”

Solomon is king. He has dealt with his greatest internal adversaries (1 Kings 2), and God has given him peace with the surrounding nations. Even Egypt has sealed their treaty with a princess (1 Kings 3:1). Solomon called the military, judicial, government, and tribal leaders to the tabernacle in Gibeon. He's sacrificed a thousand animals to The Lord, Yahweh (Exodus 3:15). Solomon loves the Lord and tries to live according to the law as did his father David (1 Kings 3:2). It seems he wants to publicly dedicate his administration to God.

God responds by asking Solomon what he wants. In this context, the Lord is not merely asking Solomon what he hopes for. He instead offers the king a special blessing. Solomon has a ready answer. He begins with gratitude for God's blessings on David, including allowing David's son to succeed him on the throne. He then humbly presents himself as an inexperienced king. Instead of asking for money and glory, he says what he needs most is the wisdom to rule well (1 Kings 3:6–9).

This practical, sensible request pleases the Lord. So, He gives Solomon more than he asked for. He unconditionally promises wisdom, riches, possessions, and honor (1 Kings 3:2–13; 2 Chronicles 1:12). But there's also a conditional promise. If Solomon follows God all his days, he will also have long life (1 Kings 3:14).

Dreams were God's method of communication with several people in the Bible, including Abimelech (Genesis 20:3), Jacob (Genesis 28:10–17), Joseph (Genesis 37:1–11), Pharaoh (Genesis 41:1–8); Joseph (Matthew 1:20; 2:13), and Pilate's wife (Matthew 27:19). With David, God usually used the priest Abiathar, the prophet Nathan, or Gad the seer (1 Samuel 23:6–14; 2 Samuel 12:1; 24:11).

First Kings 3:3–9 contains Solomon's renowned request for wisdom (2 Chronicles 1:2–10). He has already proven to be politically savvy in the way he rid his court of antagonists (1 Kings 2:13–46). On one of his regular trips to worship at the tabernacle, God asks Solomon what gift he wants. Solomon knows he's inexperienced as a king and asks for wisdom. God is pleased with this and grants Solomon wisdom, wealth, and honor, but he will only have long life if he follows God (1 Kings 3:10–14).

In 1 Kings 3, Solomon receives and displays supernatural wisdom. He gathers the national leaders and offers sacrifices at the tabernacle in Gibeon. In a dream, God asks him what he would want. Solomon says wisdom to rule well. God agrees and adds wealth and honor. In an example of his wisdom, Solomon decides the unsolvable case of two women who each claim a living baby is theirs and the dead one is the other's. When Solomon offers to cut the child into two, the real mother reveals herself. First Kings 4 continues with accounts of Solomon's honor, wealth, and wisdom.

First Kings 3 (2 Chronicles 1:2–13) explains how Solomon became wise. He established his kingdom through his own wisdom (1 Kings 2), but to rule Abraham's people, he needs God's guidance. God agrees to impart wisdom and promises money, possessions, and honor, as well. Two women argue over whose son is living and whose has died. Solomon offers to cut the baby in two, and the women reveal their natures. In the chiastic partner to 1 Kings 3, Solomon exhibits great foolishness (1 Kings 11:1–13), receives a great deal of wealth (1 Kings 10:14–29), and wins honor from the Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:1–13).

This was originally the first half of a combined text. First Kings records the end of David's reign and the rule of Solomon. After this, the kingdom is split in two. The northern nation of Israel no longer submits to the king of the southern nation, called Judah. The prophet Elijah first appears in this book. The kings mostly fail to honor the Lord. They participate in idolatry and other sins. This will eventually result in their conquest and exile, as depicted throughout the books of Chronicles.