INTRODUCTION: Ever wonder what you would do if you were granted any request you might make? This lesson shows what Solomon did with just such a request. But also observe how God responded to Solomon’s request and see what we can learn from this.

1. SOLOMON’S AFFINITY WITH EGYPT (1 Kings 3:1-3 [1] 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. [2] Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days. [3] And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
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1. His Affinity with Pharaoh (1 Kings 3:1And 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.
   See All...; cp. Isaiah 31:1Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!
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1. By marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter
2. By bringing her to the city of David
2. The Worship of the People (1 Kings 3:2Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days.
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1. They sacrificed in high places.
2. They had no house of God until those days.
3. The sin of the people
1. They were to sacrifice at the tabernacle only (Leviticus 17:3-6 [3] What man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp, [4] And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people: [5] To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest, and offer them for peace offerings unto the LORD. [6] And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and burn the fat for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
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2. They continued to sacrifice in high places even after the building of the temple (1 Kings 22:43And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.
   See All...; 2 Chronicles 33:17Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only.
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3. The Worship of Solomon (1 Kings 3:3And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
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1. He loved the Lord.
2. He walked in the statutes of David, but he sacrificed in high places.
2. SOLOMON’S SACRIFICE IN GIBEON (1 Kings 3:4-15 [4] And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. [5] In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. [6] And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. [7] And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. [8] And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. [9] Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? [10] And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. [11] And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; [12] Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. [13] And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. [14] And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. [15] 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.
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1. Solomon Went to Gibeon to Sacrifice (1 Kings 3:4And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.
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1. Gibeon was the home of the Gibeonites who had deceived Joshua and convinced Israel to make a covenant with them (Joshua 9:3-15 [3] And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, [4] They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; [5] And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. [6] And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us. [7] And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you? [8] And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye? [9] And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt, [10] And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth. [11] Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us. [12] This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy: [13] And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey. [14] And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. [15] And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.
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2. Solomon offered 1,000 burnt offerings there.
2. The Lord Asked to Know Solomon’s Request (1 Kings 3:5-9 [5] In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. [6] And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. [7] And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. [8] And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. [9] Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
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1. The Lord appeared to Solomon (1 Kings 3:5In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
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1. He appeared in a dream by night; compare the dream of Jacob (Genesis 28:10-16 [10] And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. [11] And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. [12] And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. [13] And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; [14] And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. [15] And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. [16] And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.
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2. He offered to grant Solomon’s request – “Ask what I shall give thee” (Psalm 37:4Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
   See All...; Matthew 7:7-8 [7] Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: [8] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
   See All...; John 14:13-14 [13] And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
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2. Solomon presented his need (1 Kings 3:6-8 [6] And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. [7] And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. [8] And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
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1. The Lord showed great mercy to David (1 Kings 3:6And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
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2. The Lord put Solomon in David’s place (1 Kings 3:6-7 [6] And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. [7] And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
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1. As a kindness to David (1 Kings 3:6And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
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2. To sit on his throne (1 Kings 3:6-7 [6] And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. [7] And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
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3. But Solomon had a great need (1 Kings 3:7-8 [7] And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. [8] And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
   See All...).
1. He was but a little child (1 Kings 3:7And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
   See All...; Jeremiah 1:6Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
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2. He knew not how to go out or come in (1 Kings 3:7And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
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3. He stood in the midst of this people (1 Kings 3:8And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
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3. Solomon made his request (1 Kings 3:9Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
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1. For an understanding heart
2. For discernment to judge this people
3. The Lord Responded to Solomon’s Request (1 Kings 3:10-14 [10] And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. [11] And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; [12] Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. [13] And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. [14] And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
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1. The Lord was pleased with the request (1 Kings 3:10-11 [10] And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. [11] And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
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1. In the thing that Solomon asked (1 Kings 3:10And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing.
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2. Because of what he did not request (1 Kings 3:11And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
   See All...) – long life, riches and the life of his enemies
3. Because of what he did ask – understanding and discernment
2. The Lord granted his request (1 Kings 3:12Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
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1. He gave him a wise and discerning heart.
2. He made him the wisest man who ever lived.
3. The Lord gave him more than he requested (1 Kings 3:13-14 [13] And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. [14] And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
   See All...; Jeremiah 33:3Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
   See All...; Ephesians 3:20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
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1. He gave him riches (1 Kings 3:13And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
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2. He gave him honour (1 Kings 3:13And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
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3. He exalted him above the kings of his day (1 Kings 3:13And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
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4. He gave him length of days if he would be obedient (1 Kings 3:14And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
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4. Solomon Woke Up from his Dream (1 Kings 3:15And 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.
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1. He returned to Jerusalem.
2. He stood before the ark of the covenant.
3. He made sacrifices there.
4. He made a feast for his servants.
3. SOLOMON’S JUDGMENT OF THE WOMEN (1 Kings 3:16-28 [16] Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him. [17] And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house. [18] And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house. [19] And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it. [20] And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. [21] And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear. [22] And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king. [23] Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living. [24] And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. [25] And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. [26] Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. [27] Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof. [28] And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.
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1. The Case Was Presented to Solomon (1 Kings 3:16-22 [16] Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him. [17] And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house. [18] And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house. [19] And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it. [20] And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. [21] And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear. [22] And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king.
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1. The nature of the women – they were both harlots (1 Kings 3:16Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.
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2. The first woman spoke (1 Kings 3:17-21 [17] And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house. [18] And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house. [19] And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it. [20] And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. [21] And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.
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1. She explained that both lived together in one house (1 Kings 3:17And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.
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2. She stated that they were both delivered of a child (1 Kings 3:17-18 [17] And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house. [18] And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.
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3. She stated that one of the children died overnight (1 Kings 3:19And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it.
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4. She claimed that the children were switched (1 Kings 3:20-21 [20] And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. [21] And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.
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3. The second woman spoke (1 Kings 3:22And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king.
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1. She stated that the living child was hers.
2. She claimed that the dead child was the other woman’s.
2. Solomon Made His Judgment on the Case (1 Kings 3:23-25 [23] Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living. [24] And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. [25] And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.
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1. He summed up the case (1 Kings 3:23Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.
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2. He had a sword brought (1 Kings 3:24And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.
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3. He commanded to divide the living child (1 Kings 3:25And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.
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3. Solomon Determined the True Mother (1 Kings 3:26-28 [26] Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. [27] Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof. [28] And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.
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1. The women responded (1 Kings 3:26Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.
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1. The true mother yearned for her son.
2. She offered to give him away to save him.
3. The false mother encouraged the child’s death.
2. Solomon spared the child and gave it to the true mother (1 Kings 3:27Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.
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3. All Israel heard of the judgment of Solomon (1 Kings 3:28And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.
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1. They feared the king.
2. They saw God’s wisdom in him.
4. SOLOMON’S REIGN IN PEACE AND PROSPERITY (1 Kings 4:20-28 [20] Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry. [21] And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life. [22] And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, [23] Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl. [24] For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him. [25] And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. [26] And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. [27] And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing. [28] Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
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1. The Prosperity of the Kingdom (1 Kings 4:20-21 [20] Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry. [21] And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
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1. Judah and Israel were great in number (1 Kings 4:20Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
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2. The nation ate, drank, and made merry (1 Kings 4:20Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
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3. The surrounding kingdoms served Solomon (1 Kings 4:21And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
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2. The Provision for Solomon’s Court (1 Kings 4:22-23 [22] And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, [23] Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.
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3. The Peace of the Kingdom (1 Kings 4:24-25 [24] For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him. [25] And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
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1. Dominion over this side of the river (1 Kings 4:24For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.
   See All...); refers to the west side of the Jordan
2. Peace on all sides round about (1 Kings 4:24For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.
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3. Judah and Israel dwelled safely (1 Kings 4:25And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
   See All...).
1. Every man under his vine and under his fig tree (cp. Micah 4:4But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
   See All...; Zechariah 3:10In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.
   See All...).
2. From Dan unto Beersheba (cp. Judges 20:1Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.
   See All...; 2 Chronicles 30:5So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.
   See All...; the phrase is used nine times in the Bible)
3. All the days of Solomon
4. The Provision for Solomon’s Officers (1 Kings 4:26-28 [26] And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. [27] And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing. [28] Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
   See All...)
1. For his chariots (1 Kings 4:26And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
   See All...); NOTE: though he was not to trust in horses and chariots (Psalm 20:7Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
   See All...; Isaiah 36:9How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?
   See All...)
1. Forty thousand stalls of horses; NOTE: though he was not to multiply horses (Deuteronomy 17:16But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
   See All...)
2. Twelve thousand horsemen
2. From his officers (1 Kings 4:27-28 [27] And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing. [28] Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
   See All...)
1. All that came to Solomon’s table (1 Kings 4:27And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing.
   See All...)
2. Provision for the animals (1 Kings 4:28Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
   See All...)
3. Every man according to his charge (1 Kings 4:28Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
   See All...); this high rate of taxes led to later complaints and finally to the division of the kingdom under Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:4Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.
   See All...).
5. SOLOMON’S EXCELLENCE IN WISDOM (1 Kings 4:29-34 [29] And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. [30] And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. [31] For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. [32] And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. [33] And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. [34] And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.
   See All...)
1. The Wisdom of Solomon (1 Kings 4:29-31 [29] And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. [30] And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. [31] For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
   See All...)
1. Given from the Lord (1 Kings 4:29And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.
   See All...)
1. Wisdom
2. Understanding
3. Largeness of heart (Psalm 119:32I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
   See All...; 2 Corinthians 6:11O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
   See All...)
2. Greater than that of others (1 Kings 4:30-31 [30] And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. [31] For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
   See All...)
1. Than the children of the east country (1 Kings 4:30And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
   See All...)
2. Than all the wisdom of Egypt (1 Kings 4:30And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
   See All...)
3. Than the wise men of the day (1 Kings 4:31For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
   See All...)
4. A fame that spread to all nations (1 Kings 4:31For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
   See All...)
2. The Works of Solomon (1 Kings 4:32-34 [32] And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. [33] And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. [34] And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.
   See All...)
1. He spoke 3,000 proverbs (1 Kings 4:32And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.
   See All...); NOTE: Solomon wrote the first twenty-nine chapters of Proverbs. If we consider each verse as a separate proverb (though much of the first nine chapters are not individual proverbs), this would add up to 851, which is only about a fourth of the total number.
2. He wrote 1,005 songs (1 Kings 4:32And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.
   See All...).
3. He spoke of the wonders of nature (1 Kings 4:33And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.
   See All...).
1. Of trees and plants
2. Of animals
4. He spoke to all who came to hear him (1 Kings 4:34And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.
   See All...).

CONCLUSION: Solomon sought wisdom for the right reasons and God granted his request. He delighted himself in the Lord and God gave him the desires of his heart (see Psalm 37:4Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
See All...). But the Lord also gave him much more than he asked (Jeremiah 33:3Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
See All...; Ephesians 3:20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
See All...). What a wonderful Lord!