1 Kings 3:15

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

Translations

Modern
Then Solomon awoke, and indeed it had been a dream. So he returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he held a feast for all his servants.
Traditional
And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.
Literal
And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the face of the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and he offered up burnt offerings, and he made peace offerings, and he made a feast for all his servants.
Latin
Igitur evigilavit Salomon, et intellexit quod esset somnium: cumque venisset Jerusalem, stetit coram arca fœderis Domini, et obtulit holocausta, et fecit victimas pacificas, et grande convivium universis famulis suis.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then Solomon awoke, and indeed it had been a dream. So he returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he held a feast for all his servants.

Notes

Solomon's sacrifice after the dream completes the story.

The story of God giving wisdom to Solomon is told as a chiasm (a mirrored structure where A and B reflect B' and A'). It highlights Solomon's interaction with the Lord:

  • A: While Solomon was sacrificing at Gibeon, the Lord appeared to him in a dream (1 Kings 3:4–5).

    • B: Solomon asked for wisdom to govern his people fairly and effectively (1 Kings 3:6–9).

    • B’: The Lord agreed to his request and gave him extra blessings (1 Kings 3:10–14).

  • A’: Solomon woke up from the dream and made more sacrifices to the Lord (1 Kings 3:15).

Events

Parallels

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

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God Solomon: Son of David, king of Israel, known for his wisdom

Places

Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Dreams Feasts and Festivals of Israel High Place King Kings, Books of First and Second Solomon (Person)

Topics

Dream of Solomon, Concerning his Choice of Wisdom Dreams: Mentioned in Scripture of Solomon Peace-Offerings: The Priest: Generally Accompanied by a Burnt-Offering Solomon: Piety of