1Ki 3:2-14 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Kgs 3:2-3: 3:2-3 The Ark of the Covenant sat in David’s tent in Jerusalem before the Temple was built, and the people ... sacrificed their offerings at local places of worship (see study note on 8:1). However, this detracted from unified worship at a central sanctuary (12:1-24 ) and increased the danger of mixing with Canaanite religious practices. Israel’s worship at such places was forbidden (Deut 12:1-14 ).

Summary for 1Kgs 3:2-3: 3:2-3 ^a The Ark of the Covenant sat in David’s tent in Jerusalem before the Temple was built, and the people ... sacrificed their offerings at local places of worship (see study note on 8:1). However, this detracted from unified worship at a central sanctuary (12:1-24 ^b) and increased the danger of mixing with Canaanite religious practices. Israel’s worship at such places was forbidden (Deut 12:1-14 ^c).
Summary for 1Kgs 3:4-15: 3:4-15 ^d God’s gift of wisdom to Solomon is narrated as a chiasm (a symmetrical arrangement in which sections A and B are mirrored by sections B’ and A’), drawing the focus in on Solomon’s transaction with the Lord: A: While he sacrificed at Gibeon ... the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream (3:4-5 ^e). B: Solomon prayed for wisdom to govern his people equitably and efficiently (3:6-9 ^f). B’: The Lord favorably answered his request and granted additional blessings (3:10-14 ^g). A’: Solomon awoke from the dream and offered additional sacrifices to the Lord (3:15 ^h). 3:4 ⁱ The city of Gibeon lay six miles northwest of Jerusalem. Its altar, the most important of these [local] places of worship (literally the great high place), accommodated sacrifices of royal proportions. Gibeon was also the site of the Tabernacle (1 Chr 16:39-40 ^j; 21:29 ^k; 2 Chr 1:2-6 ^l).
3:6 ^m The Hebrew word translated faithful love (khesed) expresses God’s gracious treatment and loving kindness toward humanity (Ps 118:1-2 ⁿ), especially to his covenant nation Israel (Deut 7:9 ^o, 12 ^p).
Summary for 1Kgs 3:7-9: 3:7-9 ^q The Hebrew term translated little child was often used of someone who lacked experience in his profession (“assistant,” 19:21 ^r). Solomon humbly recognized his inexperience and his need for an understanding heart. If he desired to govern the people well and render proper decisions, he knew that he needed God’s help.
Summary for 1Kgs 3:10-12: 3:10-12 ^s God was pleased with Solomon’s unselfish request and granted him a wise and understanding heart. These incomparable qualities are demonstrated in the next section (3:16-28 ^t) and as Solomon sets up his administration (ch 4 ^u), business dealings, building activities, international relations, and worship practices (chs 5–10 ^v).