Read 1 Kings 3 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
2:41-3:2 {p} Shimei’s execution/ Solomon’s kingdom established/ marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter
3:3-14 {s} YHVH visits Solomon in a dream and grants him wisdom
3:15 {p} Solomon offered burnt and peace offerings before the ark in Jerusalem
3:16-23 {p} Two women come before Solomon; to judge between the dead and living child
3:24-27 {s} Solomon’s wise judgment determines the real mother
3:28 {p} All Israel heard of the king’s wise judgment and feared him
The Strong themes:
2:28-3:2 {s+s+p} Authority transferred from those who flaunted the king’s mercy, to those who submitted themselves to his will, thus Solomon’s kingdom established
3:3-15 {s+p} YHVH grants Solomon wisdom and Solomon worshiped YHVH with gratitude for His gift
3:24-28 {s+p} Solomon’s wise judgment determined the real mother; so that all Israel heard it and feared him
1 Kin 3:2-15 Chiastic Structure:
Solomon asked for understanding, judgment, and discernment. The verb translated “understanding,” is actually the same verb usually translated “to hear,” used in the famous creed of the Israelite nation, “Hear, O Israel” (Deu 6:4). That is, do not just receive sound with your ears, but comprehend what is being said, and act accordingly. His request pleased YHVH.
The Hebrew is Strong’s 3190, יטב yatab, a primitive verb meaning “to be good, to be pleasing, to do well or rightly.” The ancient pictographs are yud + tet + bet:
yud י = closed hand, thus work, throw, worship
tet ט = basket, thus surround, contain, hold, mud
bet ב = house, thus house, household, family, in, within
The parable being told by the Hebrew Root Word is of work (yud) which surrounds or holds (tet, that is, which upholds, which supports) the household (bet). The work on which one spends his life is ultimately work undertaken for the benefit of one’s house and family. A derivative according to the Ancient Hebrew Lexicon, is something which functions properly. Working for one’s own home and family inspires someone to do the job right, to do their best.
Solomon had made his request, not to benefit himself or his own household or family, but to benefit the family of God, God’s chosen people. He saw himself as the steward of the house, needing understanding, judgment, and discernment in order to do well or rightly by God in his role. Thus, God was pleased—He affirmed that Solomon had asked well or rightly.
God not only gave him what he needed in order to steward well the household of God, He gave him in addition, what he needed to benefit his own personal house and family—wealth and honor. I do not think Solomon expected it, but, he was humbly grateful!
If there are questions, these are good resources:
Shama, “To Hear,” Strong’s H8085 – Christine Miller
Shaphat, “To Judge,” Strong’s H8199 – Christine Miller
Biyn, “To Discern Between,” Strong’s H995 – Christine Miller
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