This 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, with an addition to it, 1Ki 3:5; an instance and proof of the wisdom given him in determining a case between two harlots brought before him, which greatly raised his reputation, and gave him reverence among his people, 1Ki 3:16.
Ver. 1. And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt,.... Pharaoh was a common name of the kings of Egypt, of whom no mention is made in Scripture from the times of Moses until this time; which may seem strange, when it is considered that that kingdom was a potent one, and near the land of Canaan; but it was governed by a race of kings in this period of time, of whom, as Diodorus Siculus says, there is nothing worthy of relation.
The name of this Pharaoh, according to Eupolemus , an Heathen writer, was Vaphres; for he says, that David contracted a friendship with this king, and he relates some letters which passed between him and Solomon, concerning sending him workmen for the building of the temple, which are still preserved; but Calvisius thinks it was Sesostris; what this affinity was is next observed:and took Pharaoh's daughter: that is, married her; who, according to Ben Gersom, was proselyted first to the Jewish religion; which is very probable, or otherwise it can hardly be thought Solomon would marry her; and as the forty fifth psalm, Ps 45:1, and the book of Canticles, supposed to be written on that occasion, seem to confirm; to which may be added, that it does not appear she ever enticed or drew him into idolatry; for, of all the idols his wives drew him into the worship of, no mention is made of any Egyptian deities.
The Jews say Rome was built the same day Solomon married Pharaoh's daughter, but without foundation: this was not Solomon's first wife; he was married to Naamah the Ammonitess before he was king, for he had Rehoboam by her a year before that for Solomon reigned only forty years, and Rehoboam, who succeeded him, was forty one years of age when he began to reign, 1Ki 11:41;and brought her into the city of David; the fort of Zion:until he had made an end of building his own house: which was thirteen years in building, and now seems to have been begun, 1Ki 7:1;and the house of the Lord; the temple, which according: to the Jewish chronology , was begun building before his marriage of Pharaoh's daughter, and was seven years in building; and therefore this marriage must be in the fourth year of his reign; for then he began to build the temple, 1Ki 6:37; and so it must be, since Shimei lived three years in Jerusalem before he was put to death, after which this marriage was, 1Ki 2:37;and the wall of Jerusalem round about; all which he built by raising a levy on the people, 1Ki 9:15; and when these buildings were finished, he built a house for his wife, but in the mean while she dwelt in the city of David.
Bibliothec. l. 1. p. 42. Apud. Euseb. Praeparet. Evangel. l. 9. c. 30, 31, 32. Chronolog. p. 191, 192. T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 56. 2. & Sanhedrin, fol. 21. 2. Seder Olam Rabba, c. 15. p.