Skip to content

1 Kings 3:9-28 Solomon Builds the Temple

9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.

11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice,

12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.

14 And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”

15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.
He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.

16 A Wise Ruling
Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.

17 One of them said, “My lord, this woman and I live in the same house. I had a baby while she was there with me.

18 The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us.

19 “During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him.

20 So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast.

21 The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t the son I had borne.”

22 The other woman said, “No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours.”
But the first one insisted, “No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.” And so they argued before the king.

23 The king said, “This one says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead,’ while that one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’”

24 Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king.

25 He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.”

26 The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!”
But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!”

27 Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.”

28 When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.

Cross References for 1 Kings 3:9-28

2 Corinthians 3:5 - Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence come... Click to read the verse 2 Corinthians 3:5 Click to read the verse 2 Corinthians 3:5

Deuteronomy 34:9 - Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on ... Click to read the verse Deuteronomy 34:9 Click to read the verse Deuteronomy 34:9

Exodus 3:11 - But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of E... Click to read the verse Exodus 3:11 Click to read the verse Exodus 3:11

Exodus 4:10-13 - Moses said to the Lord, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you ... Click to read the verse Exodus 4:10-13 Click to read the verse Exodus 4:10-13

2 Corinthians 2:16 - To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to ... Click to read the verse 2 Corinthians 2:16 Click to read the verse 2 Corinthians 2:16

Jeremiah 1:6 - “Ah, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” Click to read the verse Jeremiah 1:6 Click to read the verse Jeremiah 1:6

Proverbs 16:16 - How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver! Click to read the verse Proverbs 16:16 Click to read the verse Proverbs 16:16

2 Samuel 14:17 - “And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king bring me rest, for my lord the ki... Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 14:17 Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 14:17

James 3:17 - But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, sub... Click to read the verse James 3:17 Click to read the verse James 3:17

Proverbs 2:6 - For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Click to read the verse Proverbs 2:6 Click to read the verse Proverbs 2:6

Exodus 31:3 - and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of... Click to read the verse Exodus 31:3 Click to read the verse Exodus 31:3

James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding faul... Click to read the verse James 1:5 Click to read the verse James 1:5

Proverbs 8:15 - By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; Click to read the verse Proverbs 8:15 Click to read the verse Proverbs 8:15

Isaiah 11:2-4 - The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit ... Click to read the verse Isaiah 11:2-4 Click to read the verse Isaiah 11:2-4

2 Kings 15:5 - The Lord afflicted the king with leprosy until the day he died, and he lived in a separate hous... Click to read the verse 2 Kings 15:5 Click to read the verse 2 Kings 15:5

Psalms 119:34 - Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Click to read the verse Psalms 119:34 Click to read the verse Psalms 119:34

2 Kings 2:9 - When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken... Click to read the verse 2 Kings 2:9 Click to read the verse 2 Kings 2:9

John 5:30 - By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to ... Click to read the verse John 5:30 Click to read the verse John 5:30

2 Chronicles 1:10 - Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great... Click to read the verse 2 Chronicles 1:10 Click to read the verse 2 Chronicles 1:10

Matthew 3:11 - “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than ... Click to read the verse Matthew 3:11 Click to read the verse Matthew 3:11

Proverbs 14:8 - The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. Click to read the verse Proverbs 14:8 Click to read the verse Proverbs 14:8

Ephesians 5:17 - Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Click to read the verse Ephesians 5:17 Click to read the verse Ephesians 5:17

1 Chronicles 11:2 - In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campai... Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 11:2 Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 11:2

Philippians 1:10 - so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of ... Click to read the verse Philippians 1:10 Click to read the verse Philippians 1:10

Daniel 9:12 - You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us great... Click to read the verse Daniel 9:12 Click to read the verse Daniel 9:12

Proverbs 20:12 - Ears that hear and eyes that see— the Lord has made them both. Click to read the verse Proverbs 20:12 Click to read the verse Proverbs 20:12

Proverbs 3:13-18 - Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, Click to read the verse Proverbs 3:13-18 Click to read the verse Proverbs 3:13-18

Matthew 12:42 - The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she c... Click to read the verse Matthew 12:42 Click to read the verse Matthew 12:42

1 Kings 3:28 - When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they s... Click to read the verse 1 Kings 3:28 Click to read the verse 1 Kings 3:28

Ecclesiastes 7:19 - Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city. Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 7:19 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 7:19

1 Corinthians 2:14-15 - The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for the... Click to read the verse 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 Click to read the verse 1 Corinthians 2:14-15

Hebrews 5:14 - But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish go... Click to read the verse Hebrews 5:14 Click to read the verse Hebrews 5:14

Psalms 72:1-2 - Psalm 72 Of Solomon. Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteous... Click to read the verse Psalms 72:1-2 Click to read the verse Psalms 72:1-2

1 Chronicles 29:19 - And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decre... Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 29:19 Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 29:19

Matthew 3:14 - But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Click to read the verse Matthew 3:14 Click to read the verse Matthew 3:14

Psalms 119:144 - Your statutes are forever right; give me understanding that I may live. Click to read the verse Psalms 119:144 Click to read the verse Psalms 119:144

Psalms 119:73 - י Yodh Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. Click to read the verse Psalms 119:73 Click to read the verse Psalms 119:73

Ecclesiastes 7:11 - Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 7:11 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 7:11

1 Chronicles 22:12 - May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so ... Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 22:12 Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 22:12

Exodus 3:11-12 - But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of E... Click to read the verse Exodus 3:11-12 Click to read the verse Exodus 3:11-12

Proverbs 2:3-9 - and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, Click to read the verse Proverbs 2:3-9 Click to read the verse Proverbs 2:3-9

Ecclesiastes 9:15-18 - Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobo... Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 9:15-18 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 9:15-18

1 Kings 3:11 - So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself... Click to read the verse 1 Kings 3:11 Click to read the verse 1 Kings 3:11

1 Kings 5:7 - When Hiram heard Solomon’s message, he was greatly pleased and said, “Praise be to the Lord tod... Click to read the verse 1 Kings 5:7 Click to read the verse 1 Kings 5:7

1 Kings 7:7 - He built the throne hall, the Hall of Justice, where he was to judge, and he covered it with ce... Click to read the verse 1 Kings 7:7 Click to read the verse 1 Kings 7:7

1 Kings 10:24 - The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. Click to read the verse 1 Kings 10:24 Click to read the verse 1 Kings 10:24

2 Chronicles 32:4 - A large force of men assembled, and they blocked all the springs and the stream that flowed thr... Click to read the verse 2 Chronicles 32:4 Click to read the verse 2 Chronicles 32:4

Ecclesiastes 10:10 - If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success. Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 10:10 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 10:10

Proverbs 18:15 - The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out. Click to read the verse Proverbs 18:15 Click to read the verse Proverbs 18:15

Job 28:12 - “But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? Click to read the verse Job 28:12 Click to read the verse Job 28:12

Psalms 119:66 - Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands. Click to read the verse Psalms 119:66 Click to read the verse Psalms 119:66

Isaiah 11:3 - and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, o... Click to read the verse Isaiah 11:3 Click to read the verse Isaiah 11:3