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Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy and not sacrifice;
and the knowledge of God more than your burnt offerings.
Bible Chapter Studies
1A0I KINGS CHAPTER 3
I Kings 2 brought us the death of Israel's second man king, David, and with his death, the assumption of the throne by his fifth eldest son--Amnon, Daniel, Absalom, Adonijah--Solomon--the young man Father was referring to when He had told David, "He would establish his throne forever."
Just prior to Returning Home to Father, David had some final instructions for Solomon: he charged him that he was to quickly carry out some unfinished business that David had not gotten around to prior to his Returning Home. Quickly, because had not Solomon acted immediately, the people in the kingdom would see this as a sign of weakness. Those instructions included the carrying out of Capital Punishment on Joab and Shimei, and providing for the descendants of Barzillai.
Joab's destruction was directed because of his involvement in the attempted usurpation of the throne by David's third eldest son Adonijah, who was put to death in I Kings 2 for this attempt. If you will remember, he did so by having Solomon's mother, Bath-sheba, ask Solomon to give the young virgin girl, Abishag, to Adonijah for his wife. Abishag was brought to the king (in I Kings 1) in order to provide body warmth to David as he lay on his deathbed and was unable to warm himself. Had Solomon given Abishag to Adonijah, then the people of the Nation would have thought that Adonijah was now king. Or, at least they may have been confused about who was the rightful king, because, in those days, custom was that the man who lay with the previous king's wives and concubines usually was the new king. So, anyway, Solomon saw Adonijah's plot for what it was--a conspiracy--and had him put to death.
In the case of Shimei, David had passed on to Solomon that when he--David--was fleeing Jerusalem and on his way to Mahanaim because of the attempted usurpation of his throne by his second oldest son Absalom (in II Samuel), he was greeted at the Jordan River by Shimei, who cursed at and threw stones at David for being king of Israel. See, Shimei was a Benjamite, as was the first man king of Israel, Saul. Saul had bestowed many privileges and perks upon the Benjamites when he was king, and with Saul now dead and David (a Judean) king, the perks to the Benjamites dried up and went by the wayside. This angered the Benjamites, especially this man Shimei, who showed his displeasure to David by throwing stones at him. Anyway, just prior to David Returning Home, he charged Solomon to not hold Shimei guiltless; but, to bring his hoar head down to the grave with blood. In other words, Shimei was to die a violent death. Solomon, being the wise man he was, brought Shimei before him and charged him that he should build a house in Jerusalem, and never go out past the Brook Kidron, vowing that the day he did so would be the day he died. Shimei had two servants who fled his house in order to return to their homes in Gath. Shimei, concerned with getting his servants back--he temporarily forgot about his oath to Solomon--mounted his mule, and went to Gath to retrieve them. After returning home, it was found out what he had done and it was told to Solomon. Therefore, Solomon called him before him, passed judgment upon him, and sentenced him to death.
Also involved in the attempted usurpation, was one of the two High Priests of Israel at the time: Abiathar. Solomon brought him before him and charged Abiathar that he was no longer a Priest of YHVH; but, that he was to return to the Priest's city of Anathoth, to his own house on his estate, and live there forever.
This, then, brings us to current, to I Kings 3 and it is in this Chapter where we read of several of the more well known of Solomon's events: the first visitation of Father to Solomon in a dream and He asks Solomon what his heart desires; and of the incident of the two women arguing over a baby, with both claiming to be the mother, whereby, Solomon is presented with making judgment.
So, let's get right to it, I Kings 3:
I Kings 1:1-12:15 THE KINGDOM. United.
I Kings 12:16-II Kings 25:30 THE KINGDOM. Divided.
I Kings 1:1-12:15 THE KINGDOM. United. (Division.)
I Kings 1:1-2:11 DAVID.
I Kings 2:12-11:43 SOLOMON.
3:1 Marriage.
1A1
I 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. -> Affinity=The word affinity as used in this verse is, as is explained, a marriage contract. There are several things to consider about this marriage: (1) Father had told Moses to pass down to all peoples (especially those in leadership\ruling positions) to stay out of Egypt (the land from which He freed them from bondage). Solomon, sadly, does go back to Egypt, and not only does he go back, he also marries a daughter of a pharaoh. (2) But, remember this: the Egyptians, especially the pharaohs of Egypt, considered anybody who was a sheep herder or shepherd to be the lowest of classes of people; therefore, it is not possible for Solomon--even as king of Israel--to have married a pharaoh's daughter. So then, just who did Solomon make an affinity with? At this time, Egypt was still divided into two halves, and it was the northern half who considered the sheep herders of low class; however, in the southern half were the Hyksos, or shepherd kings, and it was with these people that Solomon made an affinity. (3) Yes, Father had commanded that the Israelites not go back to Egypt, and although Solomon has, and has married into this line of the Hyksos, it is, in a sense, a moot point, You see, Father being born in the flesh did not come through Solomon's seed-line, but through his brother, Nathan's as can be read in Luke 3:31. So, even though Solomon doesn't know or understand this, and his actions did not interrupt the seedline through which Christ would come, he still should not have taken a Hyksos to be his wife, and Father is not pleased that Solomon violated that instruction.
This verse, the way it reads, would lead you to believe that Solomon brought his Hyksos wife to Israel and built a house for her, and after it was finished, he then built a House for Father, and after completing it, he then built a wall around Jerusalem. This isn't the case, as we'll read through the next several chapters, we'll see that Solomon built the House of Father first, then built his house, and then fortified the city wall around Jerusalem.
City of David=As most are familiar with, the City of David is Bethlehem, David's and more importantly, our Lord's birth place. We can read of this in the Book of Luke: Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) -> Joseph, Mary’s husband was of the lineage of Judah and though he is not of the seedline through which Jesus will be born, it assists in establishing that Mary herself was a descendant of both the tribe of Judah and the tribe of Levi. Mary has to be a descendant of both of these in order for our Lord to be King of kings and Lord of lords. Then we read, several verses down in Luke: Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. -> So, as you see, David, Joseph and Jesus were all born in Bethlehem: the City of David.
3:2-10:29 government.
3:2-10:29 GOVERNMENT. (Alternations, Simple and Extended with Introversion.)
3:2-15 First appearance of YHVH to Solomon.
3:2-15 FIRST APPEARANCE OF YHVH TO SOLOMON (Introversion and Alternation.).
3:2-4 Solomon’s worship at Gibeon.
I Kings 3:2 Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days. -> Father established in Deuteronomy 12 where He wanted to be worshiped, therefore we—man—have no right to change the location, otherwise we’re no better than the heathen: Deuteronomy 12:11 Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD: -> Back in the time when Father led Moses to bring our forefathers up, out of their bondage to the Egyptians, you had to raise the sacrifice, the first of the flock, and then offer the first and the best to Father. Just as He allowed that sacrifice to be grown and placed in your hand, He also allowed for His Son to grow up, and become the first and best to be offered for our sins. Yes, today, His sacrifice is free to you; however, He paid an awesome price for your sins to be forgiven. We are told by Father in Hosea 6:6 that He doesn't want our burnt offerings, He wants our love. But, for our forefathers before Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, He wanted them to give up the very cream of their crops and animals to prove their love for Him. Your love for Father is what this is all about. The blood sacrifice passed away because a great and more perfect sacrifice was given, and that became each of our sacrifice when you by faith accept it through repentance in Jesus name. When Jesus became our kinsman Redeemer, our heavenly Father could then say, "I forgive you,” and He does. Remember that these burnt offerings and sacrifices are fulfilled in the blood of Christ and are obsolete, with the exception of the sacrifice of love. This love is not to man, but to our heavenly Father. Your tithe is the first tenth of your earnings, and blessings that God has given you. Your "heave offerings" is an offering that is given as a present to pay tribute. The "Heave" is "the shoulder" of the sacrificed animal, also called the oblation or communion [today], and it is given in tribute to God. Today we take the communion in remembrance and tribute of our Lord's blood shed on the cross, and His body that was given for our sins. You take it by your choice in remembrance for what he has done. Christ is the one that is worthy, for you will never be worthy. If you think that Christ is worthy to receive the honor and praise, then you are to receive the cup and the bread. If you wait until you are worthy, then you will never take the communion for you will never be worthy. It is your acceptance and inspection of what Christ has done that determines the worth, for no man other than Christ will ever be worthy. Father promised that when we partake of the sacrifice that Christ gave through the sacraments of communion, there will be a blessing because of It. [12;12] And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you. -> Notice also that each Tribe had a Levite assigned, as the Levites--as the Priests of YHVH--received no land inheritance; but, the sacrificial offering which went to Father. [12:13] Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: -> Each household was to serve and worship Father, they were to go to where He said they were to go to worship Him, not wherever they desired. [12:14] But in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee. -> Father was and is very exact and specific with which He demanded in worship to Him, He had to be because our forefathers had been in Egypt for those 430 years and had worshiped other false gods that the Egyptians were worshipping and in the manner that were worshipping those false gods. So, how does this apply to us today in as much as there are no more burnt offerings? In as much as Jesus loves us; our returning our love to Him is our offering and sacrifice to Him. Because the Holy Spirit is everywhere in the world today, we are released from picking a particular spot. The reason for identifying a certain spot was that God's name could be attached there. It is a matter of knowing the name of the Lord, the name of Jesus Christ, and that He is our authority to approach the throne of Father YHVH. That is why our faith and prayers are "in the name of Jesus,” By our naming His name we recognize that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, the only sacrifice for our sins, and that He is the only name whereby men can be saved. The name of Jesus Christ is our credential for having Him as our defender before the throne of God in heaven. In the Hebrew text, the very sacred name "YHVH" is used here. You can say that name anywhere, however many simply call Him "Father,” and say all their confessions and prayers in the name of Jesus, the one that paid the price. In Jesus name we can rely on our protection no matter where we are, or what time of the day it is. We do not have to go to a certain spot to approach Father, for His Spirit is within us at all times. This is why Jesus said in John 14:6-27: John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. [14:7] If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him. -> There is simply no other way to the throne of Father than by and through Jesus Christ. To try to come in another way into eternal life will not do it. When you are in Christ, you are one of Christ's sheep and under His protection of which we read in John 10:27-30: John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they know Me: [10:28] John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. [10:29] My Father, which gave them to Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand. [10:30] I and My father are one. -> This all goes back to the only sacrifice which is acceptable by Father, and that sacrifice is your love and acceptance of His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. When you know the Son, you know the Father, and when you accept the Father's Son, then the Father accepts you. It is only through the Son that you can obtain eternal live, and those outside of the Son shall perish for their sins. This is why we pray all our prayers, "in Jesus name.” Skip down a few verses with me to verses v12:26-27: Deuteronomy 12:26 Only thy holy things which thou hast, and thy vows, thou shalt take, and go unto the place which the LORD shall choose: -> . [12:27] And thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar of the LORD thy God: and the blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured out upon the altar of the LORD thy God, and thou shalt eat the flesh..
I Kings 3:3 And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. -> Walking in the statutes of David his father=Like his father--king David--before him, Solomon loves Father, and serves and worships Him only; however, in his burning of the incense to Father YHVH, he did sadly, worship Father in ways which were illegal, or, not prescribed by Father. This burning of incense in the high places was so ingrained in the Israelites, that it was still taking place even through the reigns of kings Asa and Hezekiah. It was finally young Josiah who put a stop to it.
I Kings 3:4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. -> Gibeon=What was so significant about Gibeon? Gibeon was where David had brought the Tabernacle of Father to, also it was where Moses had established it; therefore, it was where Solomon went to worship Father. We can read of some of this in the parallel chapter to this Chapter: II Chronicles 1: II Chronicles 1:1 And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly. [1:2] Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers. -> The next verse is why we came here to this parallel reading. [1:3] So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness. -> As we see, they were still worshiping at the Mosaic tent tabernacle which Father told Moses to make almost six hundred years earlier. Father ensured that His place of worship though moved from place to place, wandering the wilderness for those 38 years, even to this day where Solomon is now the third man king of Israel never deteriorated, dry-rotted or tore. [1:4] But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjath-jearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem. -> And we know that it was in Jerusalem that, as David sat in his comfortable palace, he looked out the window and saw the fabric tent where the Ark of YHVH sat and decided he wanted to change that, and build a house for Father to dwell in. Father told David he would not build Him a house, but, his son Solomon would. But, if you'll notice, there are two tents, the Mosaic Tabernacle in Gibeon where the worship of Father takes place; and, the fabric tent in Jerusalem in which sits the Ark of YHVH. Something else to pay attention to and remember is that, at the end of II Samuel 24, after satan had provoked David to number the Israelite Army, and David realized he had sinned. When he went to Father seeking forgiveness, Father told him to go to Araunah and buy his threshingfloor and build an altar there to worship Him. David did so; however; we see that Solomon--unlike his father who worshiped in Jerusalem--is still going to Gibeon to worship Father. [1:5] Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it. [1:6] And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it. -> This brasen altar was part of YHVH'S Tabernacle and was directed to be made by Father back in Exodus 31. Father told Moses by name, the man--Bezaleel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur--whom He would fill with His Spirit in Wisdom, and in Understanding, and in Knowledge, and in all manner of Workmanship in gold, silver, brass, stone and timber to make the things for is altar. We see that they are still part of His Tabernacle which is still at the high place in Gibeon, and had never been moved to Jerusalem.
Gibeon was also very rich in Israelite history and not all of it for the good. There are several notable events which took place in Gibeon: (1) It was from Gibeon that the Hivites came to Joshua and the Elders of Israel (in Joshua 9), deceiving them into not "utterly destroying them as Father commanded;" but, instead, made a covenant with them and then made servants of them--drawers of water and hewers of wood--for the Priests, right there at the altar of YHVH; (2) Gibeon was where "the young men of Abner, and of Ish-bosheth, went out to play by the pool," in other words, the two Captains--Abner and Ish-bosheth--decided that instead of fighting each other with their entire armies, they'd instead, have a little contest between just twelve of each man's army, a little sport so to speak. These twenty-four men are now about to face-off against each other, 12 from each side. Again, the leaders suggested "mock war, or sport;" however, as we quickly discovered, that was not what took place, and, it was not a good thing, as it was more-or-less, civil war, even though, the entire armies were not fighting, it still led to such. Instead of war "play," the men grabbed each other, and, slew each other. In other words, the "entertainment, or horseplay," quickly escalated into something more sinister: warfare. This war "play" actually made matters worse; as, it made the entire situation even more volatile and intensified it into all-out-war between the two Houses; (3) during this warfare in Gibeon, Asahel the youngest brother of the commanding General for David's Army--Joab--chased after Abner the Commanding Officer of the Israelite Army. He caught up with him, and when he did so, Abner tried to warn him off, as Abner knew that he--Asahel--was no match for Abner, and that Abner could kill him, therefore Abner told Asahel to chase after another less experienced soldier. Asahel would hear none of it and continued after Abner, and Abner had to kill Asahel in self-defense. Joab thought Abner murdered his younger brother during that war in Gibeon, and therefore, he and his other brother Abishai, murdered Abner for it; (4) It was also in Gibeon that Joab murdered the man--Amasa--whom David had set over him as Commanding General of the Israelite Army.
A thousand burnt offerings=One thousand in Biblical numerics denotes Divine Completeness, and, it can also mean "the Glory of YHVH."
3:5 Dream.
3:5 YHVH. Offer.
I Kings 3:5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, “Ask what I shall give thee.” -> Gibeon=Gibeon was also the place where Zadok was the High Priest during the same time that Abiathar was the High Priest in Jerusalem, whom Solomon had later threw-out and sent back to his place of residence in Anathoth.
The LORD appeared...in a dream by night=There are 20 recorded instances in Father's Word where He--Father YHVH; God of the Covenant, or Promise, Father ELOHIM; Creator of all things--appeared to someone in a dream. Here in this verse is the first of two such visits to Solomon. Think about this, here we have Father, the Creator, Maker and Owner of all things, coming to Solomon and asking him to name what it is that he desires Father give to him. What about you brethren, what would you ask Father ELOHIM for? Solomon could have asked for any and all things, some greedy men just might have indeed asked for such. But, what does Solomon ask for? We'll read of it in these next few verses.
Brethren we do all ask Father for things when we Pray to Him; whether it be for Blessings on somebody--including ourselves--a healing for somebody, for safety whether while we're driving somewhere, through the night or through a storm. The important thing to remember is that we should always ask that Father's Will be done and close out Prayer "in Jesus' name." Remember, Father knows our hearts and He knows what we need and what's best for us, and He'll ensure we have those things. Have you ever wondered--when you thought--why Father hasn't answered one of your Prayers because you didn't see what you asked for come to pass? Maybe He had answered your Prayer, and it wasn't the answer you were looking for; but, was an answer just the same and His answer was either "no," or that He wasn't going to give you what you asked for because He knew you might get hurt or hurt yourself if He gave it to you.
LORD=This is Father in His role as YHVH The Covenant maker, just as God=as used here is Father in His role of ELOHIM Creator of all things.
3:6-9 Solomon. Choice.
I Kings 3:6 And Solomon said, “Thou hast shewed unto Thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before Thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with Thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that Thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. -> Solomon said=Remember, Solomon is dreaming right now while Father is appearing to him; therefore, he said, or is saying this "in his sleep."
Hast given him a son to sit on his throne=Father did give David a son to sit on his throne, why? Because, as Solomon is pointing out here, David always loved Father, serving Him and worshiping Him only. Yes, David erred in his adultery with Bath-sheba, and in his murder of Bath-sheba's husband Uriah the Hittite; but, though he committed fleshly adultery, he still never committed adultery on Father, in other words, he never served other false gods or idols. When the child was born to Bath-sheba which was conceived in that adulterous affair, Father called it Home to Him. He caused Bath-sheba to conceive again when David went in to comfort her, and this son, when he was born David named Solomon; however, if you'll recall from II Samuel 12:25, Father named him Jedidiah: "Beloved of YAH." Also, in this, we see that Father gave David, something: i.e. a son to sit on his throne; but, He also gave Solomon the answer to his Prayer here, verses v3:5-15; to Adam in Genesis 2:21-22; to Abraham in Genesis 15:12-13; to Jacob in Genesis 28:10-15; and to Samuel in I Samuel 3:3-4.
I Kings 3:7 And now, O LORD my God, Thou hast made Thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. -> I am but a little child=I'm sure with Solomon being a young man of only 19 or 20 years at this time, that he did indeed feel almost overwhelmed in trying to lead such a great and numerous People; however, his father David didn't feel that way, as a matter of fact, David already thought his son a wise man as evidenced by his saying so in I Kings 2:6-10.
How to go out or come in=Obviously Solomon is old enough, and knows how to go out and come in; therefore, we can see that this is a Hebraism, or figure of speech which means that he is unsure of himself and whether he is adequately prepared for this undertaking. So, what does he do? When Father appears to him in his dream, he asks Father to assist him in leading His People, in this we see that Solomon is wise enough to know that Israel is YHVH'S Chosen People, and as we're about to read, he thusly seeks His wisdom to help him do so.
What about you brethren? Do you ask for Father's assistance in your life? What about when you read and Study His Word? Do you ask His help to come to His understanding of it? Though I am not a fan of and very much dislike using "one verse" passages to make a point, there are a few instances where we can do so. Father provides us 2 key passages in the New Testament: Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: [7:8] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. -> Do you want to understand His Word? Here is how to come to His understanding of it: notice I say His understanding of His Word, not our own understanding of it. There is only one True interpretation of His Word: His, and we MUST come to His Interpretation; not our own, not man's; but, Father's, now let's turn to the second: Luke 24:45 Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, -> Jesus had already been crucified before He opened His apostle’s understanding. He had been with them for 3 years teaching them day after day; but, it was still not until after He had been crucified that He gave them the understanding. We too can only come to His understanding when He opens our ears and eyes.
I Kings 3:8 And Thy servant is in the midst of Thy People which Thou hast chosen, a great People, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. -> Hear Solomon humble himself before Father: Thy servant...Thy People, Solomon is correct in that Father is fulfilling His Promise to Abram just before He changed his name to Abraham. We read in Genesis 15:5 that Father Promised Abram that his children would be as numerous as the stars of the sky, Solomon was born in the year 940 B.C., so even though at this time they were exceedingly numerous, their number then cannot compare to the number Israel is today.
I Kings 3:9 Give therefore Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy People, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this Thy so great a People?” -> Understanding heart=As I stated earlier, young Solomon begins his reign by asking of Father for wisdom in order that he be able to properly serve Father and reign over His People. Let's look at these two words in the Hebrew; in the Strong's concordance, "understanding" is Hebrew word number H8085 - שׁמע, - shâma‛, pronounced - shaw-mah', and means: A primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively to tell, etc.): - X attentively, call (gather) together, X carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear (-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim (-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell, understand, whosoever [heareth], witness., whereas, “heart” in the Strong’s, is Hebrew word number H3820 - לב, - lêb, pronounced – labe, and means: A form of H3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything: - + care for, comfortably, consent, X considered, courag [-eous], friend [-ly], ([broken-], [hard-], [merry-], [stiff-], [stout-], double) heart ([-ed]), X heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind (-ed), X regard ([-ed)], X themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly, wisdom., so, we see Solomon is asking for a mind which can both hear and understand the needs of his people, and therefore make the correct judgments. Solomon wanted to be a good judge over Father’s People. This is the purpose of the any king or president--something we in the USA lack in ours today--judge the people and defend the faith.
Remember back in I Samuel where the priests--the sons of both Eli (Hophni and Phinehas) and Samuel (Joel and Abiah)--had violated their trust with the people by laying with the women and ripping them off with their big three pronged hooks. The became greedy in their judgments, to the point that God separated the duties of the priest, from the judges. The priest no longer was the one to judge, that duty fell on the monarchy, and there became a separation of church and state. Here now, Solomon knows that his duty is that of the judge for all the land, and he wants to be fair in all his judgments. He wants to be able to see through the lies and deceptions that people might and pull on him, in order to discern the good from the bad. He isn’t asking for something for himself, but for Father’s People. When Solomon is judging fairly, then the People will have gained from his wisdom. Solomon is asking to be a good leader. He put his father David, his people, and Father's will before himself.
Contrast Solomon’s beginning with his son Rehoboam who'll reign after him, Rehoboam will begin his reign by seeking and asking counsel of man, not of Father. He’ll receive good counsel from the elders; however, from his peers, they’ll counsel that he should be a hard ruler over the People.
3:10 YHVH. Approbation.
I Kings 3:10 And the speech pleased the Lord*, that Solomon had asked this thing. -> Solomon didn't ask for anything for himself; he didn't ask for riches, for wealth, or health, or long life; no, he asked for the tools necessary to righteously administer Father's People. This brethren, is how you please Father, being unselfish and having compassion for the things of Father.
LORD*=One of the 134 places wherein the sopherim (different subject for a different day) inserted, or substituted “Adonai” for YHVH. Adonai is the Lord in His relation to the earth; and as carrying out His purposes of blessing in the earth. With this limitation it is almost equivalent to YHVH. Indeed, it was from an early date so used, by associating the vowel points of the word YHVH with Adon, thus converting Adon into Adonai. A list of 134 passages where this was deliberately done is preserved and given in the Massorah (107-115) see Dr. Bullinger's Companion Bible Appendix 32. I have indicated these by printing the word like YHVH--LORD--but, adding an asterisk, thus: LORD*. See also Dr. Bullinger's Companion Bible Appendix 30.
3:11-14 Solomon. Gifts.
I Kings 3:11 And God said unto him, “Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; -> Understanding to discern judgment=Check out this word "discern" in the Strong's Concordance, as, it's the same word in the Hebrew as the word "understanding" in verse v3:9 above: "H8085 - שׁמע, - shâma‛." So, as we see, Solomon who is only 19 or 20 years old, is already showing signs of maturing, as this is what he seeks from Father, the things which a mature person would seek. As we mature in both life and Spiritual life, so our spiritual discernment also matures, as it should, and as we and our discernment matures, it also pleases Father, just as it pleases us when we watch our children mature.
I Kings 3:12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. -> I have done...I have given thee=Father just told Solomon that it pleased Him to grant and fulfill Solomon's request.
None like before thee...none like after thee=So, in other words, no other king--and this wasn't restricted to the kings of Israel; but, all kings, including the kings of other nations and time--has Father ever Blessed with such an understanding heart. No other man king has ever been or ever will be as Blessed as Solomon was by Father in wisdom; however, there is One Who was so Blessed and that of course is our Lord Jesus Christ.
This, then, brethren, is why it is so important that we read and understand the wisdom of Solomon as he wrote to us in The Proverbs, The Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes. But again, Father is talking about man in the flesh, and not comparing him to Christ, for Jesus Christ was God incarnate in the flesh.
Father isn't through yet, He continues...
I Kings 3:13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. -> In addition to wisdom that Father has given Solomon, he is also going to Bless with the things he didn’t seek in selfishness. Brethren, when you please Father and do His work and earn it first; then, He will repay you beyond what you have earned. Many don't like the word, "works" mentioned when speaking of Father, as they say—and yes, Father’s Word also declares, that we just need to have Faith—however, your works are very important in this life. Your "works" are the only thing that can be taken with you out of this life, and be rewarded for in the life here-after, and it is our Works which will make up our fine linens in heaven as declared in Revelation 19:8, but also in Revelation 14:13: Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labours: and their works do follow them.’” With this being said, I am not speaking of salvation, for, salvation is the saving of your soul, the eternal condition and right standing before Father. Salvation as Jesus tells us in John 3:16 is based on your faith in Jesus Christ, and your repentive heart and mind before the Father. However, works have to do with the rewards that your eternal soul will receive throughout eternity. When you die, your soul leaves this dispensation, and goes to be with The Father Who sent it at your conception in your mother’s womb. The only thing that you can take from this Flesh Age is the record of your labor done for the Lord while you lived in this dispensational age in your flesh body. The good things that you did in the name of the Lord, will determine your rewards that will stay with you throughout all eternity.
During Jesus’ teaching during His “Sermon on the mount” of Matthew 5:1-7:29, near the end of Matthew 6, there are several passages wherein He states to take no thought for yourselves: Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. -> Mammon="Mammon" is an Aramaic word which means "riches by ill-gotten gains." So, in other words, if you are the richest person in the world, and you earned it by doing things in which Father prescribes, then that is not mammon; but, Father’s Blessings. However, if your gains have come through cheating the public, and robbing from the poor, then that is mammon, and are not Father’s Blessings. Father does bless His own, and you can expect to be Blessed when you support His work, tithe, and direct your life in accordance with His Word. Your riches then become your "badge of honor." Don't let people put you on a guilt trip because of the Blessings which Father has bestowed upon you. The message that Jesus is giving us is, that, when we obtain riches, we cannot be of service to both Father and the money. One will take priority. If you serve Father, then the money will become secondary, but must be used wisely. [6:25] Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? -> We are not to concern ourselves, or be over anxious with the cares of this Age, not even our own bodies as, when we do Father’s Work, then He will ensure we have everything we need while in these flesh bodies. Listen to how—by using birds--Jesus describes how much Father looks after our needs when we do His Works. [6:26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? -> His birds don’t plant the seeds, no, seeds are a delicacy to the birds, if He gave them the seeds, they'd eat the seeds and never plant them in order to eat the fruits of the labor. Nor do they reap what has been sown, His creation the birds, do none of these things, yet, He ensures they have all their needs met. And, if He cares this much for His birds, just think how much He cares for us who were created in His image; no, not looking like He looks, but, having the same physical appearance: head, arms, legs and a trunk. [6:27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? -> None of us can. [6:28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: -> Again, another of Father’s Creation, it doesn’t concern itself with working, you never see one plant uproot itself, walk out of it planted spot to go and search for the things it needs. No, it just springs up, looks pretty and Father ensures all its needs are met. This next verse is why we came here. However, we are to consider all these things so as to learn from them. [6:29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. -> Father Blessed Solomon with more wisdom and knowledge and understanding than any other man in the flesh--save Himself—yet, even Solomon was not arrayed—read that clothed—like Father’s natural earthly Creation. There is though a raiment we in fact do need to concern ourselves with and that is the gospel Armor of Ephesians 6. [6:30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? -> O ye of little faith=Check out this word “faith” in the Strong’s Concordance, as it is Greek word number G3640 - ὀλιγόπιστος, - oligopistos, pronounced - ol-ig-op'-is-tos, and means: From G3641 and G4102; incredulous, that is, lacking confidence (in Christ): - of little faith.. Also, note the four occurrences of the usage of this word oligopistos: here in Matthew 6:30 where Jesus is rebuking “care;” in Matthew 8:26 where He is rebuking “fear;” in Matthew 14:31 when He rebukes “doubt;” and in Matthew 16:8 where He rebukes “reasoning.” [6:31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [6:32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. -> Those who do the things of Father never have to worry about any of these things; but, those who do not the things of Father worry themselves sick over how they’ll get these things, how they look in them and how fashionable they are. What does Jesus end this with?[6:33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. -> When you truly want the Kingdom and blessings of God, then it becomes paramount that we first seek His Kingdom. What we do, and say are all directed towards the adding to the kingdom of God, the King of that kingdom is Jesus Christ, and His dominion is obtained through following His will. His will is written in His Word, the Bible. When His will becomes our focus, then will Father add all the things necessary for this life. [6:34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof..
Father loves to Bless His children for those things they do in His name. Don't ever complain that your prayers are not answered, but try to understand that He answers prayers according to His Will. He knows what is best for you, and he gives according to what you can take care of. Be mature in your prayers, as Solomon was, and pray that His Will be done. The problem with many Christians is that they simply do not know what the Will of God is. Their prayers are full of "give me's," with very little thanks and considerations of others.
I Kings 3:14 And if thou wilt walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.” -> What did David do that so pleased Father? We can read the answer to this question in I kings 15: I Kings 15:5 Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. -> What was the thing that Father Commanded David? The same thing He commands Solomon here in this verse, and us: "To walk in His Ways, keeping His Statutes and His Commandments." If we meet this condition, then will Father Bless us as He Blessed David. Sadly for Solomon he didn't take heed to the condition that Father placed at the beginning of His statement to Solomon. Yes, Solomon loves Father as we'll read; however, he never comes around to loving Him only, he whores after other false gods and idols his entire life and reign. Remember brethren, Solomon reigned only forty years like his father, also like his father David, he reigned until his death, and if he took over the kingdom when he was 19, that means he died when he was only 59 years old, 11 years sooner than his father.
3:15 Dream.
3:15 Solomon worship at Jerusalem.
I Kings 3:15 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. -> After receiving The Promise from Father, Solomon awakes the next morning and the first thing he does is, mount his horse for the ride to Jerusalem. Remember, at this time he was in Gibeon where the Tabernacle was, now, he goes to Jerusalem to where the Ark of the Covenant is, and there he offers--asah in the Hebrew, meaning he prepared--burnt and peace offerings to Father. This shows us brethren that the Ceremonial Law was in written form before the days of Solomon, not, after as some assume and assert.
It doesn't take but a moment in time before the wisdom of Solomon is put to the test as we're about to find out. It's a story like David and Goliath, one we're all familiar with. It is also where I Kings 3 differs from II Chronicles 1.
3:16-4:34 Wisdom and Riches. Two women.
3:16-4:34 WISDOM AND RICHES. (Introversion.)
3:16-28 Wisdom.
3:16-28 WISDOM. (Alternation.)
3:16-22 Case propounded.
I Kings 3:16 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him. -> These two women, though unmarried, both have an infant child. Both also do not have a crib to lay their child in, therefore, each has her child sleep in the same bed with her.
I Kings 3:17 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. -> These women reside in the same household and are no stranger to each other, we'll see that it is only those two who live in the house, which would make them friends. They were each present for the birth of the other's child.
I Kings 3:18 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. -> These two women were the only ones living in this house, no other women or men lived there with them. What they are letting Solomon--and us--know, is that, since they did live alone, there is no one else--besides one of these two women--who could have committed the act which was committed and they need Solomon's wisdom to decide.
I Kings 3:19 And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it. -> The women continues by telling Solomon that each of them slept with their child at night and during the night, the other women's child died. She is saying that the other women rolled over in the night and accidentally smothered her child.
Overlaid=One of ten deaths occasioned by women in Father's Word: Sisera in Judges 4:21; Abimelech in Judges 9:53 and II Samuel 11:21; Sheba in II Samuel 20:22; the harlot's child here in I Kings 3:19; the prophets in I Kings 18:4; Naboth in I Kings 21:9-10; a son by his mother in II Kings 6:29; all the seed royal in II Kings 11:1 and II Chronicles 22:10; Haman's sons in Esther 9:13-14; and John the Baptist in Matthew 14:8.
I Kings 3:20 And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. -> The women who is holding the dead child in her arms tells Solomon that after accidentally suffocating her child, the women who is standing before Solomon with the living child awakes and finds her child is dead, so, she gets up from her bed, checks on the other woman and her child, and, then switches the babies, taking the child which is still alive into her own bed with her, while leaving the dead child in the other woman's bed.
I Kings 3:21 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.” -> She continues by telling Solomon that when she awoke the next morning to nurse her child, behold, the child in her bed was dead, in the early morning light she had thought it her child; however, upon full light she discovered that it was not her child; but, the other woman's child. The other mother had switched them in the night.
This woman is saying that she had had three days to hold, study and love her son, to become very familiar with his face; his eyes, nose and chin, and his little body features such as his hands and fingers, his feet and toes. There is something about any mother that she should know all the little detail of her child, especially by the third day. Her motherly instinct lets her know her child from any other, it's part of nature.
I Kings 3:22 And the other woman said, “Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son.” And this said, “No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son.” Thus they spake before the king. -> The women whose child had been suffocated by her during the night now also pipes up and denies the allegations, claiming that the child in her arms is indeed her own child. As is typical in cases such as this, this argument between the two women before Solomon went back and forth with nothing was being accomplished, thus presenting the king with a dilemma and come up with the truth as to which woman's child is indeed still among the living.
Solomon has heard enough, it's time for him to pronounce judgment.
3:23-25 Sentence pronounced.
I Kings 3:23 Then said the king, “The one saith, ‘This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead:’ and the other saith, ‘Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.’” -> Solomon begins by stating which they both claim: that each woman's child is still living and the other's is dead. One woman saying one thing, the other saying just the opposite, obviously one of these women is lying. What is Solomon to do? Of course, having our hindsight, we know what Solomon does; but, let's continue and read it anyway:
I Kings 3:24 And the king said, “Bring me a sword.” And they brought a sword before the king. -> A most unusual request to settle this particular matter. Can you imagine the look on each woman's face and the questions running through their minds as they hear him ask for a sword to be brought to him? Why would the king ask for a sword to be brought to him at this moment, what's he going to do with a sword now?
I Kings 3:25 And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.” -> Solomon has no intention of killing this child; but, to get to the truth of the matter, in order to shock the lying woman into telling the truth, he commands the child be killed and sliced in half with each woman receiving half the child.
3:26 Case withdrawn.
I Kings 3:26 Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon 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 mine nor thine, but divide it.” -> The true mother of the living child knew that it was her son who was still alive, and she therefore wanted her child to stay amongst the living; so, she immediately spoke up in order to stop Solomon from killing her son. She would rather have the other woman raise her child, than have her baby dead. Her actions revealed to Solomon exactly who the living child belonged to, for this is the nature of love, of a mother for her child: she seeks to protect her child at all costs.
3:27 Judgment executed.
I Kings 3:27 Then the king answered and said, “Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.” -> Once the lying mother did not immediately and vehemently object to Solomon's judgment, Solomon knew who the rightful mother was, and he therefore commanded the child be given back to its true mother.
Father had indeed Blessed Solomon with wisdom. We'll see that the knowledge of Solomon's wisdom will quickly spread throughout not only Israel; but, also throughout all the world as well, as dignitaries and kings and queens will want to come and visit with Solomon to gain from his wisdom which Father had bestowed upon him. We'll read when we come to I Kings 11 that the queen of Sheba will even come from many, many miles in order to witness Solomon's wisdom.
3:28 Judgment executed.
I Kings 3:28 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. -> Feared=As used here is in the Strong’s Concordance, is Hebrew word number H3372 - ירא, - yârê', pronounced - yaw-ray', and means: A primitive root; to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten: - affright, be (make) afraid, dread (-ful), (put in) fear (-ful, -fully, -ing). (be had in) reverence (-end), X see, terrible (act, -ness, thing).. So we see that in reality, all Israel "revered" and had a great respect of Solomon because of the judgment he had given in this case between these two women. Of course we know this wisdom came from Father, and was not of his own accord. Therefore the credit goes to Father and not Solomon, for it was a gift from Father. Father places His gifts within each of us, for His purposes, and whatever our gifts may be, it is Father working those gifts though our lives and we are to thank him and pass the credit back onto Him.
There is more to this little story of the two harlot mothers than is on the surface, for, the wisdom that Solomon used here is a matter of simple logic. That is the first level of understanding, but Father expects us to think deeper on this subject than what is obvious. Remember that Paul said that all things which are written in Father's Word are "ensample" to us, even to the end times.
Brethren, we are living in the end times, and the harlot of the end times, is none other than sister babylon, the mystery religion of our day from the Book of Revelation. Both of these women were harlots, yes, they—like us—fell short and were lacking in their lives. Now, switch your thoughts from the flesh to the spiritual, and remember that in Father’s Word harlotry is used as a symbol for idolatry, in other words, it means to worship something other than our True Father.
Father blessed Solomon and caused him to care more about all of Father's children than he cared for himself. This mother, even though she was a harlot, cared more for her child than for her on desires. In the spiritual aspect, this woman put the child's welfare before her own. This woman was rewarded for placing the spiritual condition of one of Father's children over her own pleasures. If you see the truth of God's Word while living in this generation, concerning the old harlot of the end times, and you when you speak out against that old harlot it may make you unpopular. Sadly, the teaching of the truth of Father's Word concerning satan coming in his role of antichrist first—prior to the True Christ—is simply not being accepted in many church houses; however, if you care for Father's children as this mother did, that simply will not matter to you, as the Truth must be told.
When you teach the truth, even when it is unpopular, you will put their spiritual well-being over whatever hurt it may cause you in the end. Your faithfulness to Father will be well rewarded, for it is all part of those works that will follow you into the eternity. All good things come from Father, even Solomon's wisdom, and sadly, though unintentionally, this woman in this chapter suffocated the precious child that Father had given to her. Her actions after the fact, even though yes, she loved her child, and was sadden by its death, she was wrong in trying to cover up her misfortune by taking the other child from its mother. This is a type spiritually speaking, whereby men and women take the little precious Truth from Father's Word and smother it with all the traditions of man and things from the world around them, to the point that this small precious Truth which Father gave them becomes dead.
That Word "overlaid" in the Hebrew had a far deeper meaning, than just smothered. It has a spiritual meaning as well. If Father gives you a little wisdom, don't smother it to where when you get into the real world that Truth is smothered in the world's traditions, and Father’s Truth dies a spiritual death. Once that Spiritual Truth is dead, just like the woman with the dead child, she would rather see the Spiritual Truth dead in another person, than face the fact that she killed the spiritual insight that she once had.
Apr 2104