Solomon's Dream at Gibeon
[ READ ] 1 Kings 3:1–15
Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom
1 Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem. 2 The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the Lord.
3 Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. 4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
15 And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
1 Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem. 2 The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the Lord.
3 Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. 4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
15 And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
Perhaps you have read this story many times. Perhaps you have never read it. Somehow Solomon’s encounter with the Living God, regardless of familiarity, always is fresh, raw, real, remarkable.
It’s incredible that the God of the universe comes to Solomon, a sinner.
It’s incredible that Solomon doesn’t wonder who it is…he knows!
Though Solomon is “dreaming,” Scripture reflects a conversation that is intimate and tangible and unmistakably powerful and abundantly gracious. Solomon understands that his father’s faithful God has just shown up for him personally.
Although Solomon is the earthly king, he knows he is in the presence of someone greater than he. He addresses God accordingly. He doesn’t squander this encounter. He doesn’t explain the miraculousness away. He shares his heart.
He isn’t surprised that somehow God already knows it.
He doesn’t hide…though he could have, others have…he humbles himself. He asks.
The Lord was pleased to give what was right for Solomon, His Kingdom, His people.
Yet Solomon also had something to give…he didn’t wonder what God was asking of him…he knew. Wholehearted worship…not at the high places but with God in Jerusalem as the True King led and Solomon, His servant, followed His lead.
How have you encountered the Living God recently? Did you explain the encounter away, hide, or deny it in the distraction of 2026 high places? Or, like Solomon, have you wholeheartedly welcomed the Lord of the Universe into your life and the life of those you lead? What choice will you make today?
- Kim Williams
It’s incredible that the God of the universe comes to Solomon, a sinner.
It’s incredible that Solomon doesn’t wonder who it is…he knows!
Though Solomon is “dreaming,” Scripture reflects a conversation that is intimate and tangible and unmistakably powerful and abundantly gracious. Solomon understands that his father’s faithful God has just shown up for him personally.
Although Solomon is the earthly king, he knows he is in the presence of someone greater than he. He addresses God accordingly. He doesn’t squander this encounter. He doesn’t explain the miraculousness away. He shares his heart.
He isn’t surprised that somehow God already knows it.
He doesn’t hide…though he could have, others have…he humbles himself. He asks.
The Lord was pleased to give what was right for Solomon, His Kingdom, His people.
Yet Solomon also had something to give…he didn’t wonder what God was asking of him…he knew. Wholehearted worship…not at the high places but with God in Jerusalem as the True King led and Solomon, His servant, followed His lead.
How have you encountered the Living God recently? Did you explain the encounter away, hide, or deny it in the distraction of 2026 high places? Or, like Solomon, have you wholeheartedly welcomed the Lord of the Universe into your life and the life of those you lead? What choice will you make today?
- Kim Williams
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ Where was Solomon when he heard from the Lord? What was he doing in this location? How does verse three illustrate that the Lord wanted something more from Solomon in his worship? FYI, the NIV exchanges the word “only” for “except.”
+ How did the Lord communicate with Solomon? What surprised you about this relational communication?
+ As you read how Solomon addresses God in verse six, what quality in Solomon’s nature stands out to you? List some of Solomon’s own words in the text that support your answer.
+ God hears Solomon’s request in verse 9. What does Solomon ask for? Verse 10 makes it clear how the Lord felt about Solomon’s request. What do you see in this and following verses about God’s desire to abundantly answer aligned prayers.
+ What “repentant” action takes place in verse 15? Why is this so significant?
+ Where was Solomon when he heard from the Lord? What was he doing in this location? How does verse three illustrate that the Lord wanted something more from Solomon in his worship? FYI, the NIV exchanges the word “only” for “except.”
+ How did the Lord communicate with Solomon? What surprised you about this relational communication?
+ As you read how Solomon addresses God in verse six, what quality in Solomon’s nature stands out to you? List some of Solomon’s own words in the text that support your answer.
+ God hears Solomon’s request in verse 9. What does Solomon ask for? Verse 10 makes it clear how the Lord felt about Solomon’s request. What do you see in this and following verses about God’s desire to abundantly answer aligned prayers.
+ What “repentant” action takes place in verse 15? Why is this so significant?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Have you found yourself, like Solomon, worshipping in the wrong places? How have you seen the Lord meet you, even in your disobedience?
+ What was your response to God when He stepped into your life (if not in a dream, through a circumstance, relationship, or His Word? Humility or a desire to hide or defend or something else?
+ God clearly was at work in Solomon’s life. Do you believe that He is still at work in yours?
+ What does it look like in your life to “walk in the statutes of David?” As you meet with God as you are ‘walking,’ what are you asking Him for? How is He answering? What is He asking of you?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Have you found yourself, like Solomon, worshipping in the wrong places? How have you seen the Lord meet you, even in your disobedience?
+ What was your response to God when He stepped into your life (if not in a dream, through a circumstance, relationship, or His Word? Humility or a desire to hide or defend or something else?
+ God clearly was at work in Solomon’s life. Do you believe that He is still at work in yours?
+ What does it look like in your life to “walk in the statutes of David?” As you meet with God as you are ‘walking,’ what are you asking Him for? How is He answering? What is He asking of you?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
O LORD, my God, and the God of David and Solomon: thank you for your faithfulness over time to your people. Thank you for how you met Solomon even as he sacrificed on the high places. Thank you for meeting me today in my own version of disobedience. Help me see the high places that distract me. Give me strength to repent, to turn to You and your Kingdom wholeheartedly. Give me eyes to see what I really need and the courage to ask for it. Though I am not a king, you have entrusted a part of your Kingdom and your people to me. Give me wisdom and discernment as your servant. Equip me with your resurrection power to walk in obedience to what you have already shown me to further your Kingdom today.
+ Pray with me:
O LORD, my God, and the God of David and Solomon: thank you for your faithfulness over time to your people. Thank you for how you met Solomon even as he sacrificed on the high places. Thank you for meeting me today in my own version of disobedience. Help me see the high places that distract me. Give me strength to repent, to turn to You and your Kingdom wholeheartedly. Give me eyes to see what I really need and the courage to ask for it. Though I am not a king, you have entrusted a part of your Kingdom and your people to me. Give me wisdom and discernment as your servant. Equip me with your resurrection power to walk in obedience to what you have already shown me to further your Kingdom today.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
+ What did the Holy Spirit bring to your mind and heart as you read this story today? What step is the Father asking you to take boldly as you trust Him. Do you believe that Jesus has the power to help you take this step? How will you join the Trinity where they are working in our generation in your sphere of influence?
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
+ What did the Holy Spirit bring to your mind and heart as you read this story today? What step is the Father asking you to take boldly as you trust Him. Do you believe that Jesus has the power to help you take this step? How will you join the Trinity where they are working in our generation in your sphere of influence?
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