Bible Commentary

1 Kings 3

1 Kings 3 — Overview

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible · Matthew Henry (1662–1714) · Public Domain

Solomon's reign looked bloody in the foregoing chapter, but the necessary acts of justice must not be called cruelty; in this chapter it appears with another face. We must not think the worse of God's mercy to his subjects for his judgments on rebels. We have here, I. Solomon's marriage to Pharaoh's daughter, ver. 1. II. A general view of his religion, ver. 2-4. III. A particular account of his prayer to God for wisdom, and the answer to that prayer, ver. 5-15. IV. A particular instance of his wisdom in deciding the controversy between the two harlots, ver. 16-28. And very great he looks here, both at the altar and on the bench, and therefore on the bench because at the altar.

Solomon Marries Pharaoh's Daughter. (b. c. 1014.)

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Recommended reading

More for 1 Kings 3

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

1 Kings 3 — Overview1 Kings 3 · Treasury of Scripture Knowledge1 Kings 3:1, Solomon marries Pharaoh’s daughter; 1 Kings 3:2, High places being in use, Solomon sacrifices at Gibeon; 1 Kings 3:5, Solomon at Gibeon, in the choice which God gave him, preferring wisdom, obtains wisdom,…1 Kings 3 — Overview1 Kings 3 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis chapter relates the marriage of Solomon with Pharaoh's daughter, 1Ki 3:1; his piety and devotion, 1Ki 3:2; his prayer for wisdom and understanding, which was acceptable to God, who promised to grant his request,…1 Kings 3:1-41 Kings 3:1-4 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleWe are here told concerning Solomon, I. Something that was unquestionably good, for which he is to be praised and in which he is to be imitated. 1. He loved the Lord, v. 3. Particular notice was taken of God's…1 Kings 3:1-151 Kings 3:1-15 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION THE BEGINNING OF SOLOMON'S REIGN.—In the preceding chapter we have seen the establishment of Solomon's rule (verse 46) by the removal of internal foes, i.e; of disaffected and rebellious subjects. In this we…1 Kings 3:1-151 Kings 3:1-15 · The Pulpit CommentaryLet us see what preparation Solomon had for the dream spoken of here. Many a child says, "I wish God would come to me, and tell me I might ask for whatever I liked. I often say my prayers, but God does not seem real to…1 Kings 3:11 Kings 3:1 · Treasury of Scripture Knowledgeam 2990, bc 1014, An, Ex, Is, 477 affinity: 2 Chronicles 18:1; Ezra 9:14 and took: 1 Kings 7:8, 1 Kings 9:24, 1 Kings 11:1 the city: 2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Chronicles 11:7 his own: 1 Kings 7:1-12 the house: 1 Kings…