Interpreters Commentar Verse 14 Analysis

My exegesis is on Solomon’s dream and conversation with God at Gibeon in I King Chapter 3: 4 - 15.

Verse 4: Solomon sacrificed in the high places. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary says, sacred sites, often on hilltops, for sacrificial worship. They were in common use in the Canaanite cult, and would later become the paradigm of all that was illegitimate in Israel’s own worship. The narrator explains to the audience that worship of Yahweh at the high places, heterodox in their own times, was allowed before Solomon built the Temple. The Harper Biblical Commentary says although the statement in 1 Kings 3:4 that Solomon made regular sacrifices there of a thousand whole burnt offerings must be an exaggeration, the Gibeonite high place and altar clearly constituted an important cultic center before the erection of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Interpreters

The entire dialogue contains a rich theology of kingship under Yahweh and of the duties of the Davidic monarch. (New Jerome Biblical Commentary)

The Interpreter’s Commentary says with the dynastic promise in 2 Samuel 7; 1 Kings 3:14 has been added to qualify Yahweh’s promise; and v. 15 has been altered to shift the place of sacrifice from Gibeon to Jerusalem.

I decided to write my exegesis on I Kings 3: 4-15 it tells us the story of Solomon’s dream in Gibeon. The story starts off with Solomon being in Gibeon making sacrifices in the high places. The Lord appeared to Solomon and said, “I will give you whatever you ask”.

Solomon was in the position to ask God for anything. Instead of asking God for wealth, health and power over his enemies Solomon asked God for wisdom to govern his people. This request surprised God in such a way that he not only granted Solomon’s request but he gave him wat he did not ask for. God gave Solomon wisdom, wealth, a long laugh and power over all his