Solomon's Request for Wisdom
1 Kings 3:1-15
1 K.3.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתחתן: VERB,hitp,impf,3,m,sg
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- פרעה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- פרעה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויביאה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- עיר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- כלתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- לבנות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- ביתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- חומת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- סביב: ADV
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 8:11 (verbal): Direct parallel account repeating Solomon's marriage to Pharaoh's daughter and the phrase about bringing her to the city of David until he finished his house, the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem.
- 1 Kings 11:1 (thematic): Later summary notes Solomon's many foreign wives, explicitly including the daughter of Pharaoh; connects the theme of Israelite kings marrying foreign princesses and the consequences that follow.
- Genesis 41:45 (thematic): Pharaoh gives his daughter (Asenath) in marriage to Joseph — a comparable motif of political alliance through marriage to Egyptian royalty.
- Deuteronomy 17:16-17 (structural): Law governing Israelite kings forbids multiplying wives; provides the legal/theological framework against which Solomon's Egyptian marriage is judged.
Alternative generated candidates
- Solomon married Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the City of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the LORD and the wall around Jerusalem.
- Solomon married the daughter of Pharaoh king of Egypt; he brought her into the City of David until he had finished building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall around Jerusalem.
1 K.3.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- רק: PRT
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מזבחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בבמות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- נבנה: VERB,nip,perf,3,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ההם: PRON,dem,m,pl
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 1:3-4 (structural): Chronicles retells the same scene: people sacrifice at the high place of Gibeon because the tabernacle, not a permanent temple in Jerusalem, was still the locus of worship.
- Deuteronomy 12:5-14 (thematic): Law text requiring worship at the one place chosen by the LORD and forbidding scattering sacrifices on high places—explains the religious issue behind sacrifices at high places when no temple existed.
- 1 Kings 6:1 (structural): Later in Kings the narrative records Solomon’s building of the house of the LORD, which resolves the situation described in 1 Kgs 3:2 (no temple yet).
- 2 Kings 23:8 (thematic): Josiah’s reform abolishes the high places and their altars; this passage treats the same problem of unauthorized high-place worship noted in 1 Kgs 3:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the people were sacrificing at the high places, for a house had not yet been built for the name of the LORD until those days.
- But the people were sacrificing at the high places, for no house had yet been built for the name of the LORD.
1 K.3.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאהב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ללכת: VERB,qal,inf
- בחקות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- רק: PRT
- בבמות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומקטיר: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 2:3 (thematic): David's charge to Solomon to 'walk in the charge of the LORD' and keep his statutes — background motive for 3:3's claim that Solomon walked in David's ways.
- 2 Chronicles 1:3-6 (structural): Parallel account of Solomon offering sacrifices and burning incense at the high place in Gibeon — an explicit Chronicles counterpart to 1 Kgs 3:3's comment about worship at high places.
- Deuteronomy 12:13-14 (thematic): Law commanding centralization of worship and forbidding high-place cultic practice — provides legal/ideological contrast to Solomon's use of high places in 1 Kgs 3:3.
- 1 Kings 11:1-8 (thematic): Narrative of Solomon's later marriages to foreign women and his building of high places/introducing foreign worship — develops the warning implicit in 3:3's concession that he sacrificed at high places and shows the long-term consequence.
Alternative generated candidates
- Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David; only at the high places did he offer sacrifices and burn incense.
- Solomon loved the LORD and walked in the statutes of his father David; only he offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places.
1 K.3.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- גבענה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לזבח: VERB,qal,inf
- שם: ADV
- כי: CONJ
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- הבמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הגדולה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- עלות: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- יעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
Parallels
- 2Chr.1.3-6 (verbal): Direct parallel account: Solomon goes to Gibeon, the chief high place, and offers a great number of burnt offerings (explicitly parallels the 'thousand burnt offerings').
- 1Kgs.3.5 (structural): Immediate narrative link: at Gibeon the LORD appears to Solomon in a dream—this event follows his sacrificial act and explains the subsequent divine response.
- 1Kgs.3.2 (thematic): Contextual parallel within the chapter: Israelites still sacrificed at high places because the LORD’s house had not yet been built, explaining why the king goes to Gibeon rather than Jerusalem.
- Josh.10.2 (thematic): Background on Gibeon: earlier tradition portrays Gibeon as a major city/royal site (and significant cultic center), helping explain why it is called 'the great high place' in Solomon’s time.
Alternative generated candidates
- The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
- The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
1 K.3.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- בגבעון: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- נראה: VERB,nip,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- בחלום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הלילה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- שאל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- אתן: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 1:7 (quotation): Direct parallel account in Chronicles: the LORD appears to Solomon at Gibeon in a dream and invites him to ask what he should be given (near-verbatim scene).
- Genesis 28:10-15 (thematic): Jacob encounters God in a nocturnal vision/dream where God speaks promises and presence — similar motif of divine appearance and revelation by night.
- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (thematic): God’s communication to a young servant at night: God calls and reveals will in sleep/nighttime setting, paralleling the mode of divine revelation experienced by Solomon.
- Daniel 2:19-23 (thematic): God’s disclosure of wisdom and hidden things through night visions/dreams; thematically connected to God granting Solomon wisdom after appearing in a dream.
- James 1:5 (allusion): New Testament exhortation to ask God for wisdom echoes Solomon’s request model — asking God decisively for wisdom and receiving it.
Alternative generated candidates
- At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask what I shall give you."
- At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; God said, “Ask what I shall give you.”
1 K.3.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- עשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- חסד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- באמת: ADV
- ובצדקה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובישרת: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- ותשמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,2,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- החסד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הגדול: ADJ,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- ותתן: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- כסאו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- כיום: ADV
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (verbal): God's promise to David that his offspring will sit on his throne—direct source for Solomon's claim that God kept steadfast lovingkindness to David by giving him a son to sit on his throne.
- 1 Chronicles 17:11-14 (verbal): Parallel retelling of the Davidic covenant promising a son and an enduring house/kingdom—closely echoes the language and theme of God's faithfulness to David mentioned by Solomon.
- Psalm 89:3-4,29-37 (thematic): Affirms God's covenantal oath to David and the enduring dynasty; echoes Solomon's recognition of God's 'great kindness' and the promise of a lasting throne for David's line.
- 1 Kings 9:5 (allusion): Later royal confirmation that God fulfilled the promise to David—'as I promised David your father, I will establish your house'—directly connects Solomon’s statement about God's kindness to David with subsequent divine confirmation.
- Psalm 132:11 (thematic): Declares the Lord's sworn promise to set one of David's descendants on his throne, reinforcing the covenantal background Solomon cites for God's gift of a son and the throne.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Solomon said, "You have dealt with your servant David my father with great steadfast love: you kept for him your testimony and your statutes;
- Solomon answered, “You have dealt with your servant David my father with great steadfast love, because he walked before you in truth, righteousness, and a blameless heart toward you. You have kept for him this great steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day.
1 K.3.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- המלכת: VERB,hiph,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- תחת: PREP
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ואנכי: PRON,1,sg
- נער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קטן: ADJ,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- אדע: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,_,sg
- צאת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- ובא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chron.1:7-10 (verbal): Parallel account of Solomon's vision and petition at Gibeon; wording and request for wisdom are closely parallel to 1 Kgs 3:7–9 (direct retelling in Chronicles).
- Jer.1:6 (verbal): Prophetic protest using the language of personal inadequacy—'I am only a youth/child'—echoes Solomon's admission 'I am but a little child,' expressing inability for the office entrusted by God.
- Exod.3:11 (thematic): Moses' response 'Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?' parallels the theme of an inexperienced or inadequate mediator called by God to a great office, like Solomon's admission of inexperience in leadership.
- James 1:5 (thematic): New Testament parallel in the practice of asking God for wisdom; James instructs believers to ask God for wisdom—resonant with Solomon's request for understanding to govern the people.
Alternative generated candidates
- and you have made me king in his place. And I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.
- And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, and I am but a young man; I do not know how to go out or come in.
1 K.3.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ועבדך: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs-2ms
- בתוך: PREP
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בחרת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- ימנה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- יספר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 1:9 (verbal): Parallel account of Solomon’s prayer in Chronicles; language closely mirrors 1 Kgs 3:8 about God’s chosen, multitudinous people.
- Deuteronomy 7:6-8 (thematic): Deuteronomy’s depiction of Israel as the LORD’s chosen people (chosen not for their size) provides the background theological theme of 'the chosen people.'
- Exodus 19:5-6 (thematic): God’s declaration that Israel will be a treasured/holy nation ('a kingdom of priests'), a foundational statement of Israel’s election as God’s people.
- Psalm 135:4 (thematic): Direct affirmation that the LORD has chosen Jacob/Israel for himself, echoing the motif of Israel as God's specially chosen people.
Alternative generated candidates
- And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a people so great that they cannot be numbered or counted for multitude.
- Your servant is among the people whom you have chosen—a great people, too many to be numbered or counted.
1 K.3.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ונתת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- לעבדך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לשפט: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- להבין: PREP+VERB,piel,inf
- בין: PREP
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- לרע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- יוכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,ms
- לשפט: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- הכבד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 1:16-17 (verbal): Moses instructs judges to distinguish between righteous and wicked and to render decisions for the people—language and judicial function parallel Solomon’s request to discern between good and evil.
- Exodus 18:21-22 (structural): Jethro’s counsel to appoint capable men to judge the people echoes the practical need for wise, discerning leadership in Israel’s judicial governance—a background for Solomon’s petition.
- Proverbs 2:6-9 (thematic): Attributes Solomon asks for (an understanding heart to discern right and wrong) reflect the wisdom tradition that God gives knowledge and discretion to understand justice and deliver the upright.
- James 1:5 (allusion): The New Testament exhortation to ask God for wisdom parallels Solomon’s appeal to God for wisdom to govern—both present wisdom as a divine gift for decision-making.
- Psalm 72:1-2 (verbal): A royal petition—'Endow the king with your justice; may he judge your people'—closely resembles Solomon’s prayer for a discerning heart to judge Israel rightly.
Alternative generated candidates
- Give therefore your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, to discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this your great people?"
- Give therefore your servant an understanding heart to govern your people and to discern between good and evil, for who can govern this your great people?”
1 K.3.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וייטב: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- כי: CONJ
- שאל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 3:9 (structural): The immediately preceding verse records Solomon's specific petition for an understanding heart — the request that triggers the favorable divine response in 3:10.
- 1 Kings 3:11-12 (quotation): God's direct reply granting Solomon wisdom and distinguishing him from others is the immediate continuation and fulfillment of the 'good' thing noted in 3:10.
- 2 Chronicles 1:7-12 (quotation): A parallel account of Solomon's prayer at Gibeon and God's granting of wisdom and riches; a retelling of the same tradition showing the same divine approval of Solomon's request.
- Proverbs 2:6 (verbal): Expresses the theological principle underlying 1 Kgs 3:10 — that the LORD is the source of wisdom and grants it to those who seek it.
- James 1:5 (thematic): New Testament exhortation that anyone lacking wisdom should ask God, who gives generously — a clear thematic echo of Solomon's asking and God's favorable response.
Alternative generated candidates
- It pleased the LORD that Solomon had asked this thing.
- It pleased the LORD that Solomon had asked this.
1 K.3.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- יען: CONJ
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שאלת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- שאלת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- שאלת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- עשר: NUM,card,m,sg,cons
- ולא: CONJ
- שאלת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- נפש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- איביך: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ושאלת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- הבין: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לשמע: INF,qal,infc
- משפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chr.1.11-12 (structural): Parallel retelling of God's response to Solomon in Chronicles — God rewards Solomon's request by granting wisdom (and riches), with the same contrast that he did not ask for long life or enemies' deaths.
- James 1.5 (thematic): New Testament exhortation to ask God for wisdom; echoes the theme that God gives wisdom generously to those who ask.
- Prov.2.6 (thematic): Proverbial assertion that the LORD gives wisdom, knowledge and understanding — connects the source and nature of the gift Solomon requested and received.
- Ps.119.66 (verbal): A personal petition for 'good judgment and knowledge' (or 'discernment and understanding'), closely paralleling Solomon's specific request to discern justice.
- Dan.1.17 (thematic): Narrative example where God grants knowledge and skill to his servants; thematically similar as God bestows intellectual gifts for service and faithful duty.
Alternative generated candidates
- God said to him, "Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor riches, nor the life of your enemies, but have asked for understanding to discern justice,
- God said to him, “Because you have asked for this, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor riches, nor the death of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to hear justice,
1 K.3.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הנה: PART
- עשיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- כדבריך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- הנה: PART
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חכם: ADJ,m,sg
- ונבון: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- כמוך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ואחריך: CONJ+PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- יקום: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כמוך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chr.1.11-12 (verbal): Parallel account of God’s response to Solomon’s request—God grants Solomon wisdom and discernment; the promise closely echoes 1 Kgs 3:12.
- 1 Kgs.4.29-34 (thematic): Expanded description of Solomon’s wisdom, learning, and reputation among the nations; develops the theme that Solomon’s wisdom was unparalleled.
- 1 Kgs.10.23-24 (thematic): Summary statement that there was no one like Solomon among the kings of his time—reiterates the uniqueness claimed in 3:12.
- Matt.12.42 (cf. Luke 11.31) (allusion): Jesus cites the Queen of the South coming to hear Solomon as evidence of his unrivaled wisdom—New Testament reference to Solomon’s exceptional discernment.
- James 1.5 (thematic): Theological parallel: God gives wisdom to those who ask him; resonates with the motif of divine bestowal of wisdom exemplified in Solomon’s case.
Alternative generated candidates
- behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning heart; there has been no one like you before you, and there shall none like you arise after you.
- behold, I have done according to your words: I have given you a wise and discerning heart; there has been no one like you before you, and there shall not be one like you after you.
1 K.3.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- שאלת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- גם: ADV
- עשר: NUM,card,m,sg,cons
- גם: ADV
- כבוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כמוך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במלכים: PREP+NOUN,pl,m,abs
- כל: DET
- ימיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 (quotation): Parallel retelling of God’s grant to Solomon—God promises wisdom and also riches and honor in response to Solomon’s request.
- 1 Kings 10:23-24 (thematic): Later summary of Solomon’s preeminence: he excelled all kings in riches and wisdom, echoing the claim that none would be like him.
- Proverbs 3:16 (verbal): Personification of Wisdom: 'riches and honor' are in Wisdom’s hand—language and thought parallel the pairing of riches and honor given to Solomon.
- James 1:5 (thematic): New Testament principle that one should ask God for wisdom and will receive it, reflecting the core motive of Solomon’s petition and God’s response.
Alternative generated candidates
- I also give you what you have not asked—both riches and honor—so that there will be no king like you among the kings all your days.
- Moreover I have given you what you did not ask—both riches and honor—so that there will not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.
1 K.3.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואם: CONJ
- תלך: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- בדרכי: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cstr+1s
- לשמר: VERB,qal,inf
- חקי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- ומצותי: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs+1s
- כאשר: CONJ
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דויד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביך: NOUN,m,sg,suff+2ms
- והארכתי: CONJ+VERB,hiph,perf,1,?,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ימיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 5:33 (verbal): Both verses command 'walking in the way' of the LORD and explicitly link obedience to prosperous life and lengthening of days ('that you may live and prosper, and lengthen your days').
- Leviticus 26:3-4 (thematic): Part of the Mosaic promise that obedience to statutes brings divine blessing, including agricultural blessing and extended life—paralleling Solomon's conditional promise of long life for walking in God's ways.
- 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (thematic): The Davidic covenant promises divine favor to David's offspring and a lasting dynasty; 1 Kgs 3:14 echoes the special covenantal relationship with David's line and ties Solomon's longevity to faithful walking like David.
- 1 Kings 3:6 (verbal): Immediate context where Solomon (in his prayer) affirms that David 'walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart'—1 Kgs 3:14 repeats the motif of 'as David your father walked,' creating a direct verbal link.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 (allusion): David's charge to Solomon to 'know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart... and keep his commandments' parallels the exhortation in 1 Kgs 3:14 tying obedience to God (as David did) with the expectation of God's favor.
Alternative generated candidates
- If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as David your father walked, then I will lengthen your days."
- If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments as David your father walked, I will lengthen your days.”
1 K.3.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקץ: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- והנה: ADV
- חלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויבוא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויעמד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לפני: PREP
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עלות: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שלמים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- משתה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לכל: PREP
- עבדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
Parallels
- 2 Chron.1:2-6 (structural): Parallel retelling of the same episode: Solomon at Gibeon making sacrifices, God’s appearance (dream) and Solomon’s subsequent return to Jerusalem where offerings are made and a feast held.
- 2 Sam.6:17-18 (thematic): David brings the ark to Jerusalem and offers burnt and peace offerings, then celebrates before the LORD—echoes Solomon’s standing before the ark, making offerings, and hosting a royal feast.
- 1 Kgs.8:1-2 (structural): Later narrative of Solomon assembling the leaders and bringing the ark into its place; parallels the motif of Solomon’s ritual action and presence before the ark in Jerusalem.
- 1 Chron.29:22 (thematic): Description of Solomon’s accession with a public meal and rejoicing before the LORD—parallels the royal feast for servants and the public, celebratory character of the event in 1 Kgs 3:15.
Alternative generated candidates
- Solomon awoke; it was a dream. He came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings; and the king and all his servants ate and drank before the LORD.
- Then Solomon awoke; behold, it was a dream. He came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and he offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and he held a feast for all his servants.
Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt; he took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house, the house of the LORD, and the wall all around Jerusalem. But the people were sacrificing at the high places, for no house had yet been built for the name of the LORD until those days.
Solomon loved the LORD and walked in the statutes of David his father; nevertheless he offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places.
The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night, and God said, 'Ask: what shall I give you?'
Solomon replied, 'You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, and I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.
Your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.
Give therefore your servant a discerning heart to govern your people, to distinguish between good and evil; for who is able to govern this your great people?'
It pleased the LORD that Solomon had asked this.
God said to him, 'Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to govern—
behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart; there has been no one like you before you, and after you none like you shall arise. And I have also given you what you did not ask: both riches and honor; and no other of the kings shall compare with you all your days.
If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments as David your father walked, I will lengthen your days.
Then Solomon awoke—behold, it was a dream. He came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; he offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices of peace offerings, and he made a feast for all his servants.