1 Kings 3 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Kings 3 Short Summary:

1 Kings 3 begins by documenting Solomon’s alliance with Egypt, which resulted in him marrying an Egyptian princess. But the major theme in the chapter is Solomon’s wisdom. God granted Solomon extraordinary wisdom after appearing to him in a dream at Gibeon. Solomon put that wisdom into practice when he was forced to decide a case between two prostitutes, each claiming to be the true mother of a disputed child.

1 Kings 3 Outline

WHEN:

• 1 Kings 3 discusses events that took place in the early years of King Solomon’s reign. Solomon was king for 40 years according to 1 Kings 11:42, from approximately 1015-975 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• Solomon – The son of David and the 3rd king of Israel and Judah.

• Two Prostitutes – These women came to Solomon to settle a dispute over a child, both claimed to be the child’s true mother.

WHERE:

• Jerusalem – The capital of the Kingdom of Israel and Judah.

• High Places – These were locations, probably on the tops of hills, where altars were built, and sacrifices were offered to the Lord. The Bible doesn’t tell us how these places were designated. It’s possible some of them were originally chosen as holy sites by the nations who inhabited the Promised Land prior to Israel’s conquest.

• Gibeon – Gibeon was considered the “great high place.” This may have been due to the fact that the Tabernacle was located there (1 Chron 21:29).

OUTLINE:

• GOD GIFTS SOLOMON WITH WISDOM (3:1-15):

  • Solomon made an alliance with the King of Egypt and married his daughter. This was one of many foreign women Solomon would marry.

  • During that time, since the Temple hadn’t been built, the people offered sacrifices to God at the “high places.” According to God’s law, this was not ideal. Sacrifices should have been offered at the Tabernacle.

  • The author of 1 Kings informs us Solomon loved the Lord, but he also sacrificed at the high places.

  • Solomon was at Gibeon, which was considered the “great high place,” God appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Ask what I shall give you.”

  • Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom to lead the nation.

  • His request pleased God, and God granted him a “wise and discerning mind,” and told him no man on earth would be as wise as him.

  • Sense Solomon didn’t ask for money or honor, God granted him those things as well.

    God promised to give Solomon a long life if he kept His commands.

  • When Solomon woke up, he returned to Jerusalem, offered sacrifices at the Ark of the Covenant, and made a feast for his servants.

• SOLOMON’S WISDOM AND THE DISPUTED BABY (3:16-28):

  • One day, two prostitutes came to Solomon with a dispute.

  • They had each given birth to children a few days apart, but one of the babies died.

  • Woman 1 accused Woman 2 of stealing her child during the night.

  • Woman 1 said Woman 2 accidently rolled over on her child and killed him.

  • When Woman 2 realized her son was dead, and noticed woman 1 was still asleep, she swapped the children, giving her dead child to Woman 1 and taking the living child for herself.

  • Woman 2 denied the accusation. She stated that the dead child was the child of Woman 1, and now Woman 1 was trying to take her child from her out of jealousy.

  • Solomon’s proposed a solution, he would cut the child in half with a sword and give half to each woman.

  • Solomon wasn’t actually planning to do this, but he wisely proposed it to see how the women would respond.

  • Woman 1 was all for it, she thought it was a great plan. But Woman 2 declare she wanted the child given to woman 1 so it wouldn’t be killed.

  • This gave Solomon his answer. Woman 2 was the true mother. He commanded his servants to give her the baby.

  • All Israel heard about Solomon’s wisdom and stood in awe of the king.

APPLICATION:

• How did Solomon discover the identity of the mother? Love! It was a test of love.

• The real mother was willing to give up her claim to her son because she loved him and wanted him to live.

• Now it’s your turn to sit in judgement. The Devil and Jesus come to you with two different stories about what is true, how you should live, and what will make you happy?

• How do you discover the truth? Love!

• The Devil is a selfish liar (like Woman 1) who has never done anything for you.

• Jesus came to the earth and died for you, to save you, because He loves you.

• He was willing to give up His rights so you can live (just like Woman 2).

• Now you have to make the choice, who is telling the truth?