1 Kings 3:28 kjv
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.
1 Kings 3:28 nkjv
And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.
1 Kings 3:28 niv
When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.
1 Kings 3:28 esv
And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.
1 Kings 3:28 nlt
When all Israel heard the king's decision, the people were in awe of the king, for they saw the wisdom God had given him for rendering justice.
1 Kings 3 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 3:9-12 | Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people... I give you a wise and discerning mind... | Solomon's request for wisdom; God grants it. |
| 1 Kgs 4:29-30 | And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure... | Source of Solomon's exceptional wisdom. |
| 2 Chr 1:7-12 | God appeared to Solomon... "Give me wisdom and knowledge..." God said to Solomon, "Wisdom and knowledge are granted you." | Divine granting of wisdom. |
| Prov 2:6 | For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. | God is the ultimate source of wisdom. |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God... | Call to ask God for wisdom. |
| Deut 32:4 | He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. | God's character as just. |
| Ps 9:7-8 | The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He will judge the world in righteousness. | God as the righteous Judge. |
| Ps 89:14 | Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne... | Justice is core to God's reign. |
| Prov 8:15 | By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just. | Rulers reign by divine wisdom. |
| Isa 11:3-4 | He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes... but with righteousness he shall judge. | Messianic King's perfect judgment. |
| Jer 22:3 | Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness... | Command to leaders for justice. |
| Mic 6:8 | And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly... | Call to just living. |
| Ps 111:10 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom... | Awe/fear of God linked to wisdom. |
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge... | Respect for God is basis for understanding. |
| Prov 9:10 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom... | Foundational wisdom comes from fearing God. |
| Exo 3:6 | Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. | Awe/reverence in God's presence. |
| Dan 2:21 | He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise. | God's sovereignty over earthly rulers and their wisdom. |
| Rom 13:1 | For there is no authority except from God... | All authority, including kingship, is from God. |
| Jn 7:24 | Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. | Jesus teaches righteous judgment. |
| Lk 2:47 | All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. | Young Jesus demonstrates divine wisdom. |
| Mt 12:42 | The queen of the South... came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. | Jesus' wisdom supersedes Solomon's. |
| 1 Cor 12:10 | To another prophecy, to another discernment of spirits... | Divine ability of discerning truth (spiritual gift). |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and active... discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. | God's word's ability to reveal truth. |
1 Kings 3 verses
1 Kings 3 28 Meaning
When all the people of Israel received news of the king’s ruling in the challenging case, they were filled with profound reverence and respect for him. This was because they clearly perceived and acknowledged that the discernment Solomon exercised in administering justice was not merely his own but was a direct manifestation of God's wisdom indwelling him. His judgment validated his divine appointment and brought a sense of awe before the presence of God operating through him.
1 Kings 3 28 Context
This verse provides the immediate conclusion to the narrative of Solomon's wise judgment in the case of the two prostitutes and the living child (1 Kgs 3:16-27). This particular event, unfolding early in Solomon's reign, was not just a clever solution to a domestic dispute, but a crucial public demonstration of his God-given ability to rule. Historically and culturally, kings in the ancient Near East were expected to be supreme judges. However, their judgments were often arbitrary or influenced by power. Solomon's unique discernment, which unveiled the true mother, established him as a just and divinely-appointed ruler in the eyes of his people. The account solidifies his legitimacy as king and demonstrates the immediate fruit of his prayer for a discerning heart to govern God's people (1 Kgs 3:9).
1 Kings 3 28 Word analysis
- When all Israel heard: Signifies the nation-wide impact and the public validation of Solomon's rule. The Hebrew term "Shema" (שמע), 'heard,' here implies not just auditory perception but also comprehension and often, by extension, obedience or acceptance. The people absorbed and understood the profound nature of the verdict.
- the verdict: The Hebrew word is "mishpat" (מִשְׁפָּט), meaning 'judgment,' 'justice,' 'legal decision.' This refers to the ruling itself, but carries a broader sense of justice and righteousness, highlighting the nature of the decision.
- the king had given: Emphasizes the decisive action taken by Solomon.
- they stood in awe of him: The Hebrew word "yare" (יָרֵא) translated as 'stood in awe' implies a profound respect, reverence, or even sacred dread. It's not fear of tyranny, but an awe inspired by a manifest divine presence. They revered not just the king, but the divine wisdom acting through him.
- because they saw: The Hebrew "raya" (רָאָה) means 'to see' or 'to perceive.' This suggests a clear, undeniable perception. The evidence of God's wisdom was plain for all to discern; it was an observable reality.
- that the wisdom of God: This is the core element. "Chokmah Elohim" (חָכְמָה אֱלֹהִים) denotes wisdom that originates from and pertains to God. It underscores the supernatural, divine origin of Solomon's insight, distinguishing it from mere human intelligence or cleverness. It's wisdom granted by YHWH Himself.
- was in him: Points to the indwelling nature of this divine wisdom; it was not just a transient inspiration but a consistent, inherent quality operating through Solomon. It was integral to his character as king.
- to administer justice: The phrase "la'asot mishpat" (לַעֲשׂוֹת מִשְׁפָּט) literally means 'to do judgment' or 'to execute justice.' This highlights the practical application of wisdom, manifesting in fair and righteous governance, specifically through legal decisions.
- words-group analysis:
- "When all Israel heard the verdict...": This phrase emphasizes the public nature and wide acceptance of Solomon’s ruling, validating his reign nationally.
- "...they stood in awe of him, because they saw that the wisdom of God was in him...": This is a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The people’s awe was not due to Solomon’s personal power or charisma, but because they directly observed the divine origin of his wisdom. This validated Solomon’s authority as divinely ordained, connecting their awe for the king with their reverence for God.
- "...to administer justice.": This phrase specifies the practical purpose and outcome of Solomon’s divine wisdom—it was granted for the specific function of righteous governance and fair judgment for the people.
1 Kings 3 28 Bonus section
The uniqueness of Solomon’s wisdom lay in its supernatural source rather than purely empirical or academic learning. This was a direct fulfillment of God’s promise to grant him a "discerning heart to govern" (1 Kgs 3:9-12). The seemingly impossible nature of the case with the two women (proving motherhood without scientific means) served as a perfect stage for God’s wisdom to be conspicuously revealed, eliminating any doubt that this was human sagacity. This public validation set the tone for the early years of Solomon’s reign as a period blessed by divine presence and guidance in governance, building popular confidence and trust, akin to how God's hand was visible in the leaders of past generations like Moses and David.
1 Kings 3 28 Commentary
1 Kings 3:28 serves as the profound climax and ultimate validation of Solomon’s request for wisdom and God's granting of it. The verse reveals that the famous "Solomon's judgment" was not merely a brilliant human solution but a miraculous demonstration of divine wisdom actively at work through the king. This public display caused the people of Israel to shift from merely acknowledging their new king to truly standing in awe of him. Their reverence stemmed from perceiving God’s presence and guiding hand in Solomon’s discerning ability to "administer justice." This single event cemented Solomon's authority and legitimate claim to the throne in the hearts and minds of the nation, signaling that his reign was truly established by divine favor and not by human cunning alone. It emphasized that true kingly power, according to God's standard, lies in righteous judgment and discernment derived from God.