Keraia
1 Kings 3

1 Kings 3:1

Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom · 1 Kings 3:1–15
Read 1 Kings 3

Translations

Modern
Later, Solomon formed an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt by marrying his daughter. Solomon brought her to the City of David until he had finished building his palace and the house of the LORD, as well as the wall around Jerusalem.
Traditional
And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the Lord, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.
Literal
And Solomon joined in marriage with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he took the daughter of Pharaoh and brought her in to the City of David, until his completing to build his own house, and the house of YHWH, and the wall all around Jerusalem.
Latin
Confirmatum est igitur regnum in manu Salomonis, et affinitate conjunctus est Pharaoni regi Ægypti: accepit namque filiam ejus, et adduxit in civitatem David, donec compleret ædificans domum suam, et domum Domini, et murum Jerusalem per circuitum.

Original

Hebrew
English
Later, Solomon formed an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt by marrying his daughter. Solomon brought her to the City of David until he had finished building his palace and the house of the LORD, as well as the wall around Jerusalem.

Notes

1 Kings 3:1

  • In the ancient Near East, it was common for rulers to form alliances through marriage. Solomon married an Egyptian princess to strengthen ties with Egypt. The Egyptian king gave Solomon the city of Gezer as a wedding gift (1 Kings 9:16), showing respect for Solomon. The Egyptian king was likely Siamun from the weakened 21st dynasty. The alliance was mutually beneficial: Pharaoh gained access to trade routes through Israel, while Solomon increased security on his southern border. Solomon had also married Naamah from Ammon (see 1 Kings 11:42–43 with 14:21).

  • City of David: This part of Jerusalem was the old Jebusite city on the southern part of the eastern ridge. When Solomon expanded his building projects north, he constructed a special palace for Pharaoh’s daughter (1 Kings 7:8; 9:24; 2 Chronicles 8:11).

Theme notes and profiles

Solomon Wisdom

Events

Parallels

2 Chronicles 1:1–13 Psalm 45:1–17 Psalm 72:1–20

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Pharaoh: Egyptian Pharaoh during Solomon's reign Pharaoh's daughter: Daughter of Pharaoh - Wife of King Solomon Solomon: Son of David, king of Israel, known for his wisdom

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

King Kings, Books of First and Second Pharaoh Pharaoh’s Daughter Solomon (Person)

Topics

Church: House of the Lord Egypt: Inhabitants of Often Intermarried with Strangers Egyptians: Intermarry with the Jews Jerusalem: Fortified by Solomon Jerusalem: Surrounded by a Wall Marriage: Expressed by Making Affinity Pharaoh: Father-In-Law of Solomon Prayer: Answered: Solomon, Asking for Wisdom Solomon: Builds his Palace Solomon: Marries One of Pharaoh's Daughters