1 Kings 3

1 Kings 3:1

SOlomon trade affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt] Cha. 7. 8.

Pharaohs daughter] It is more then probable, that she professed the faith of Israel, and was taken into the Church, as Rahab (Joshua 2:9. Hebrews 11:31.) Ruth 1 16. Maacah (2 Samuel 3:3.) and sundry others. See Chap. 11. 1.

city of David] The place where his own court was. See 2 Samuel 2:7. and 1 Chronicles 11:7. David built this city, and in it his place.

untill] For this place was too strait for such a princesse and her retinue. See Chap. 7. v. 8.

own house] Chap. 6. 38.

the house of the Lord] Chap. 7. 1.

the wall] Chap. 9. 15.

1 Kings 3:2

Onely] Or, as yet; then, and before; It was the more warrantable, because (as is here noted) no temple was yet built, Deuteronomy 12:8.

1 Kings 3:3

of David] Wherein David himself walked (Chap. 11. v. 34.) and commanded his son to walk, Chap. 2. v. 3.

1 Kings 3:4

Gibeon] That great city which first yeelded to the Israelites, Josh. 9. 3, &c. and sell to Benjamin’s lot, Joshua 18:25. but was given to the Levites to dwell in, Joshua 21:17. There was the tabernacle of the LORD, 1 Chron. 16. 39. and the altar of burnt-offering, 1 Chron. 21. 29.

great high-place] An high-place used to be on an hill, whereon fair spreading trees grew, under which they erected altars for sacrifices, Ezekiel 20:28-29. Idolatrous Israelites superstitiously used such high-places, and the groves upon them (1 Kings 14:18. 2 Chronicles 33:5.) and that in imitation of the heathen. But the true worshippers of God used them as convenient places, from the time that the ark and tabernacle were removed from Shiloh, till the temple was built. The first high-place that we read of to be used by the people of God, is mentioned 1 Samuel 9:12. See the note there. This is here said to be the great high-place; First, in regard of the spaciousnesse and fairnesse of the place.

Secondly, in regard of the multitude of people that resorted thereunto. Thirdly, in regard of persons that frequented it, as the chiefest priests and Levites (1 Chronicles 16:39.) yea, David and Solomon with their princes and courtiers. Fourthly, in regard of that tabernacle, and altar which Moses built, and was there pitcht, 1 Chronicles 21:22. Of groves. See Chap. 16. 33.

1 Kings 3:5

appeared] Evidently manifested that it was God who spake.

in a dream] While Solomon was asleep, as Genesis 28:11, &c. see v. 15.

by night] In that night (2 Chronicles 1:7.) after he had offered up his sacrifices.

Ask] To try and manifest his disposition.

1 Kings 3:6

And] Presently without further demur upon the matter.

said] In his sleep and dream, v. 15. For hereon had high thoughts been when he was awake: and this he had oft desired before: whereupon the answer was so ready in his dream.

shewed] Heb. ne.

mercy] Or, bounty.

according as] Answerably whereunto. This sts out Davids answerable carriage to Gods mercy.

kept] And not suffered to fail, 2 Samuel 7:15.

1 Kings 3:7

a little childe] He had now a son, Chap. 14. 21. This therefore is here spoken figuratively, but a little childe to sway so great a scepter as was put into his hand. So 1 Chro. 22. 5. and 29. 1. Jerem. 1. 6.

to go out or come in] To order and govern the people. A comparison taken from captains, or shepherds. See Numbers 27:17.

1 Kings 3:8

in the midst] A supreme governour, about whom they all stand.

great] In number, as the words following shew, Numbers 20:20.

1 Kings 3:9

understanding heart] Heb. hearing; Wisdom and knowledge, 2 Chron. 1. 10. See v. 11.

who is able] Without wisedom given from above.

1 Kings 3:10

the speech] This pleased the LORD, that, &c.

the Lord] Heb. in the eyes of the Lord.

1 Kings 3:11

not asked, &c.] Inferiour things, such as mens hearts by nature are set upon, Psalms 4:6.

long life] Heb. many dayes.

the life of thine enemies] Or, the soul; Their ruine and utter destruction.

to discern] Heb. to hear.

1 Kings 3:12

thy words] Thy desire.

none like] See Chap. 4. v. 29. &c.

1 Kings 3:13

I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked] Wisd. 7. 11. Matthew 6:33. Eph. 3. 20. I have determined to give: thou maiest be assured in due time to have all, as if now thou hadst all.

shall not be] Or, hath not been.

1 Kings 3:14

as thy father David did walk] Chap. 15. 5. Approved examples are directions and incitations which shew what must, or may be done: they are as guides before us.

lengthen] Solomons apostasie shortned his dayes: for many kings lived longer then he, 2 Samuel 5:4. 2 Kings 15:2. and 2 Kings 21:1.

1 Kings 3:15

beheld, a dream] A dream worth the heeding, more then ordinary, Genesis 41:7.

Jerusalem] 2 Samuel 6:12.

ak of the covenant] See Exodus 40:3; Exodus 40:20. and Numbers 10:33. In the ark was the law kept, (Deuteronomy 10:5.) which is stiled the covenant, Deuteronomy 4:13.

offered] In way of thankfulnesse to God, for the kindnesse of the LORD shewed to him.

burnt-offerings] Which were for expiation of sin, Leviticus 1:4.

offered] Or, made.

peace-offerings] Which were evidences of reconciliation and gratulation, 1 Samuel 11:15.

a feast] To testifie his respect to his subjects, and to quicken their spirits. See Chap. 8. 65.

1 Kings 3:16

Then] After the foresaid dream, that an evidence of his wisdom might be discerned, v. 28.

harlots] Or the law (Deuteronomy 23:17.) was neglected; or they were concubines, or victuallers, as some take Rahab to be, Joshua 2:1.

1 Kings 3:17

O] A note of complaint, and seeking succour. So v. 26. and Genesis 43:20.

with her] She being then in the house, and privy to it.

1 Kings 3:18

no stranger] No other. So as there were no witnesses to prove the matter in difference.

1 Kings 3:19

overlaid] By her arms, or some other part of her body lying upon the mouth of the childe, she smothered it. Many children by the carlesnesse of heavy and drousie women, have in all ages been thus made away.

1 Kings 3:20

midnight] The darkest time of the night; and the time of deepest sleep, when fewest are stirring.

1 Kings 3:21

my childe] That which I supposed to have been mine.

it] The childe was laid by me.

considered it] Thorowly viewed it, Job 37:14. Psalms 119:95. Isaiah 43:18.

in the morning] When it was day-light.

1 Kings 3:22

spake] Contended one against another.

1 Kings 3:24

a sword] Meerly for triall, as Genesis 22:2. See v. 27.

1 Kings 3:26

bowels] Heart and affections were moved, Genesis 43:30.

yerned] Heb. were hot.

in no wise slay it] Heb. slaying do not slay it.

divide it] Not love to the childe, but envy that her companion had what she had lost, made her at first steal the childe away from her mother, and now not care though it were slain.

1 Kings 3:27

in no wise slay it] Heb. slaying do not slay it.

the mother] He discerned it by her motherly affection.

1 Kings 3:28

the king] Heb. before the king.

wisdom of God] First, most excellent, and extraordinary wisdom, as Genesis 23:6. and 30. 8. Psalms 36:6. and Psalms 80:10. 1 Chronicles 12:22. Ezekiel 10:5. Secondly, wisedom given and inspired by God himself.

in hm] Heb. in the midst of him. Job 20:14.