1 Kings 3 Solomon marrieth Pharaoh’s daughter: high places being in use, he goeth to Gibeon to sacrifice, 1 Kings 3:1–4. There the Lord appeareth to him; gives him a choice: he preferreth wisdom; obtaineth it, and also riches and honour, 1 Kings 3:5–15.

Made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, as being a powerful neighbour. Took Pharaoh’s daughter; upon what conditions is not here expressed; but it is probable she was first instructed in and proselyted to the Jewish religion; as may be gathered, 1.

Only: this particle is used here and 1 Kings 3:3, as an exception to Solomon’s integrity and glory, and as his infirmity, and a blemish to his government, that he himself both permitted and practised this which was expressly forbidden, Lev. 17:3–4, Deut.

And, or, yet, although he mistook and miscarried himself in the matter of high places, yet in the general his heart was right with God, and he both loved him with inward affection, and walked with him in outward conversation and worship. In the statutes of David, i.e.

The great high place; the most eminent and frequented, because there was the tabernacle and the altar of Moses, 1 Chron. 16:39, 1 Chron. 21:29, 2 Chron. 1:3, 2 Chron. 1:5–6, which possibly were placed upon a high or raised ground.

Quest. How could Solomon pray in his dream, or that prayer be acceptable to God, as this was, 1 Kings 3:10? Answ. The dreams of men are not such insignificant things as many imagine.

Solomon said, i.e. he dreamed that he said. See Poole “1 Kings 3:5”. Or, he really said. For although the use of reason is ordinarily so dark and imperfect in dreams, that such actings are not human actions; yet in extraordinary and Divine dreams it is but reasonable to allow something…

I am but a little child; so he was in years; not as if he were now but twelve years old, as many gather from this name of child; for that name is given to Ishmael when eighteen years old, Gen. 21:14–15, and to Rehoboam when forty-one years old, 2 Chron.

Is in the midst of thy people, i.e. is set over them to rule and guide them; a metaphor from the overseer of divers workmen, who usually is in the midst of them, that he may the better observe how each of them dischargeth his office.

An understanding heart; whereby I may both clearly discern, and faithfully perform, all the parts of my duty; for both these are spoken of in Scripture as the effects of a good understanding; and he that lives in the neglect of his duties, or the practice of wickedness, is called a fool, and one…

How such a dreaming prayer could please God See Poole “1 Kings 3:5”, See Poole “1 Kings 3:6”.

Nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; that God would take away their lives, or put them into thy power to destroy them.

I have done according to thy words; I have granted, and do at this present grant, unto thee thy desire. And accordingly at this time God did infuse into him a far higher degree and greater measure of wisdom than he naturally had. A wise and an understanding heart, i.e.

I have also given; either, first, I have granted and decreed to give; for words signifying action are oft put only for the purpose of the action. Or rather, secondly, I will give, as it is expressed in the parallel place, 2 Chron.

If thou wilt walk in my ways: this caution God gives him, lest his great wisdom should make him proud, or careless, or presumptuous, as if he were out of all danger; and to oblige him to more care and circumspection to avoid the snares and mischiefs to which so much prosperity and glory would…

It was a dream, i.e. he perceived that it was a dream; not a vain dream, wherewith men are commonly deluded; but a Divine knew, dream, assuring him of the thing; which he partly by a Divine impression and inspiration thereof in his mind after he was awakened; and partly by the vast alteration which…

Harlots, or, victuallers; for the Hebrew word signifies both. See Poole “Josh. 2:1”. And possibly they might be both; this by their open profession, and the other by their secret practice: not that they were common harlots; for neither would Solomon have tolerated such; nor durst such have…

The third day; so they could not be distinguished by their age. There was no stranger with us in the house; therefore no witness on either side; and although there might be some sensible difference to an exact observer between the features of the two children, yet it is not probable that was much…

And so smothered it; which she justly conjectures, because there were evidences of that kind of death, but no appearance of any other cause thereof.

She arose at midnight, when I was asleep, as she reasonably and truly concluded. Took my son from beside me; either because she really desired the comfort of a child, to be educated by her, and owned as hers; or because she would not be thought guilty of the child’s death, for which she knew not…

Both peremptorily and vehemently affirmed the same thing, oft repeating the same words.

He said this with seeming sincerity and earnestly, though with a design far above the reach of the two women or of the people present, who probably with admiration and horror expected the execution of it.

As is evident from her natural and motherly affection to the child, which she had rather have alienated and given away from her than destroyed.

The wisdom of God; either great and eminent wisdom, as the cedars or mountains of God are the highest and most eminent of the kind; or Divine wisdom with which God had inspired him for the better government of his people.