King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 3:1 Mean?

1 Kings 3:1 in the King James Version says “And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of Davi... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.

1 Kings 3:1 · KJV


Context

1

And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.

2

Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days.

3

And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.

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 temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the temple as God's dwelling place help us understand Christ's incarnation and the church as God's temple today?
  2. What does Solomon's prayer and dedication teach about approaching God in worship and prayer?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וַיִּתְחַתֵּ֣ן1 of 26

made affinity

H2859

to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage

שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה2 of 26

And Solomon

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

אֶת3 of 26
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

פַּרְעֹ֗ה4 of 26

Pharaoh's

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

מֶ֣לֶךְ5 of 26

king

H4428

a king

מִצְרָ֑יִם6 of 26

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וַיִּקַּ֣ח7 of 26

and took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת8 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בַּת9 of 26

daughter

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

פַּרְעֹ֗ה10 of 26

Pharaoh's

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

וַיְבִיאֶ֙הָ֙11 of 26

and brought

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל12 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עִ֣יר13 of 26

her into the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

דָּוִ֔ד14 of 26

of David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

עַ֣ד15 of 26
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

כַּלֹּת֗וֹ16 of 26

until he had made an end

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

לִבְנ֤וֹת17 of 26

of building

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

אֶת18 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בֵּ֣ית19 of 26

and the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וְאֶת20 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בֵּ֣ית21 of 26

and the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֔ה22 of 26

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְאֶת23 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חוֹמַ֥ת24 of 26

and the wall

H2346

a wall of protection

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם25 of 26

of Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

סָבִֽיב׃26 of 26

round about

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 3:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 3:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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