1 Kings 3:5

Translations

Modern

One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”

Traditional

In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

Literal

At Gibeon YHWH appeared to Solomon in a dream by the night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give to you.”

Latin

Apparuit autem Dominus Salomoni per somnium nocte, dicens: Postula quod vis ut dem tibi.

Original

Hebrew

English

One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”

Notes

1 Kings 3:4–15

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).

Theme notes and profiles

Solomon God’s Covenant with Israel’s Kings Pride and Humility Solomon’s Wisdom Wisdom

Events

Reign of Solomon

Related verses

James 1:5–6
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
1 Kings 9:2
…the LORD appeared to him a second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibeon.
Numbers 12:6
He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream.
2 Chronicles 1:7–12
That night God appeared to Solomon and said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”
John 14:13–14
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Mark 10:36
“What do you want Me to do for you?” He inquired.
Genesis 28:12–13
And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder.
Matthew 2:13
When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”
1 Kings 11:9
Now the LORD grew angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.
Matthew 2:19
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt.
John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
Mark 10:38–51
“You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I will drink, or be baptized with the baptism I will undergo?”

Parallels

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

People

Solomon: Son of David, king of Israel, known for his wisdom

Places

Gibeon: Hivite city that tricked Joshua into a peace treaty

Glossary

Gibeon, Gibeonites High Place King Kings, Books of First and Second Proverbs, Book of Solomon (Person)

Topics

Ask and you Shall Receive Children: Solomon Communion: Solomon Dream of Solomon, Concerning his Choice of Wisdom Dreams: Mentioned in Scripture of Solomon Gibeon: A City of the Hivites: Has the Dream Concerning Righteousness God: Appearances of To Solomon Night: God Frequently: Visited his People In Prayer: Answered: Solomon, Asking for Wisdom Solomon: His Prayer for Wisdom, and his Vision Solomon: Piety of

1 Kings 3:5

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