1 Kings Chapter 3 · Verse 4

Authorized King James Version

Study PDF

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.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ H1980
וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 1 of 16
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ And the king H4428
הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ And the king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 2 of 16
a king
גִּבְעֹ֙נָה֙ to Gibeon H1391
גִּבְעֹ֙נָה֙ to Gibeon
Strong's: H1391
Word #: 3 of 16
gibon, a place in palestine
לִזְבֹּ֣חַ to sacrifice H2076
לִזְבֹּ֣חַ to sacrifice
Strong's: H2076
Word #: 4 of 16
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
שָׁ֔ם H8033
שָׁ֔ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 5 of 16
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
כִּי H3588
כִּי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 6 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הַהֽוּא׃ there for that H1931
הַהֽוּא׃ there for that
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 7 of 16
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הַבָּמָ֣ה high place H1116
הַבָּמָ֣ה high place
Strong's: H1116
Word #: 8 of 16
an elevation
הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה was the great H1419
הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה was the great
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 9 of 16
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
אֶ֤לֶף a thousand H505
אֶ֤לֶף a thousand
Strong's: H505
Word #: 10 of 16
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
עֹלוֹת֙ burnt offerings H5930
עֹלוֹת֙ burnt offerings
Strong's: H5930
Word #: 11 of 16
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
יַֽעֲלֶ֣ה offer H5927
יַֽעֲלֶ֣ה offer
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 12 of 16
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה did Solomon H8010
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה did Solomon
Strong's: H8010
Word #: 13 of 16
shelomah, david's successor
עַ֖ל H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 14 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַמִּזְבֵּ֥חַ upon that altar H4196
הַמִּזְבֵּ֥חַ upon that altar
Strong's: H4196
Word #: 15 of 16
an altar
הַהֽוּא׃ there for that H1931
הַהֽוּא׃ there for that
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 16 of 16
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

Analysis & Commentary

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.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of solomon's wisdom and the famous judgment, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy. The sacrificial system points forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling all temple offerings (Hebrews 10:1-18).

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

Historical Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Questions for Reflection