1 Kings 3:5
In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Gibeon lay about six miles northwest of Jerusalem and served as an important cultic site in early Israel. Joshua had made a covenant with the Gibeonites (Joshua 9), and Saul's violation of that covenant required expiation during David's reign (2 Samuel 21:1-9). The 'great high place' (bamah gedolah) mentioned in verse 4 indicates Gibeon's prominence among worship sites. Archaeological excavations at el-Jib (ancient Gibeon) have uncovered evidence of extensive cultic activity during the Iron Age, confirming its religious significance.
Solomon offered this sacrifice early in his reign, probably around 970 BCE, shortly after consolidating power following Adonijah's rebellion. The thousand burnt offerings mentioned in verse 4 demonstrate extraordinary devotion and likely represent multiple sacrifices over a period of time rather than simultaneous offerings. This lavish worship expressed gratitude for God's provision and sought divine blessing for the new reign.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, dreams were considered significant channels of divine communication. Kings often sought guidance through dreams and visions, sometimes sleeping in temples to receive divine revelation (a practice called incubation). God's choice to meet Solomon through a dream followed cultural patterns the king would recognize while maintaining the supernatural character of genuine revelation from Yahweh.
Questions for Reflection
- If God offered you a blank check as He did Solomon, what would you request, and what does this reveal about your priorities and spiritual maturity?
- How does Solomon's dream encounter illustrate God's gracious initiative in revelation and blessing, and how should this shape our expectations of God's interaction with us today?
- In what areas of your life do you need to ask God for wisdom rather than relying on your own understanding or worldly strategies?
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Analysis & Commentary
In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. This divine encounter at Gibeon marks a pivotal moment in Solomon's reign and demonstrates God's gracious initiative toward the young king. The Hebrew Gibeon (גִּבְעוֹן) was a high place, one of the most significant worship sites before the temple's construction. Though high places were later condemned, Gibeon housed the tabernacle and bronze altar (2 Chronicles 1:3-6), making it a legitimate worship center at this time.
God's appearance 'in a dream' (bachalom, בַּחֲלוֹם) follows the pattern of divine revelation in the patriarchal period (Genesis 28:12, 31:11). The phrase by night (hallaylah, הַלָּיְלָה) emphasizes the supernatural nature of this encounter—God meets Solomon in vulnerability and openness. The remarkable invitation 'Ask what I shall give thee' (sha'al mah etten-lach, שְׁאַל מָה אֶתֶּן־לָךְ) presents an unprecedented offer: the sovereign God of the universe invites a mortal king to request whatever he desires.
This divine blank check tests Solomon's heart and priorities. What we ask for reveals what we value most. Solomon's response (v. 9) will demonstrate wisdom before receiving the gift of wisdom—he asks not for personal gain but for ability to serve God's people justly. This passage establishes that true wisdom begins with proper priorities and humble recognition of one's inadequacy before God's calling.