King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 3:15 Mean?

1 Kings 3:15 in the King James Version says “And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of th...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.”

1 Kings 3:15 · KJV

Peace

Context

13

And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. shall: or, hath not been

14

And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

15

And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.

16

Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.

17

And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.

Read 1 Kings 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.

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. God's covenant faithfulness remains steadfast despite human unfaithfulness, ultimately fulfilled in the new covenant through Christ.

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 · 19 words
וַיִּקַ֥ץ1 of 19

“awoke”

H3364

to awake (intransitive)

שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה2 of 19

“And Solomon”

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

וְהִנֵּ֣ה3 of 19
H2009

lo!

חֲל֑וֹם4 of 19

“and behold it was a dream”

H2472

a dream

וַיָּב֨וֹא5 of 19

“And he came”

H935

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

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֜ם6 of 19

“to Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֣ד׀7 of 19

“and stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לִפְנֵ֣י׀8 of 19

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֲר֣וֹן9 of 19

“the ark”

H727

a box

בְּרִית10 of 19

“of the covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

אֲדֹנָ֗י11 of 19
H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

וַיַּ֤עַל12 of 19

“and offered up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עֹלוֹת֙13 of 19

“burnt offerings”

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ14 of 19

“and made”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

שְׁלָמִ֔ים15 of 19

“peace offerings”

H8002

properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ16 of 19

“and made”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

מִשְׁתֶּ֖ה17 of 19

“a feast”

H4960

drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast

לְכָל18 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֲבָדָֽיו׃19 of 19

“to all his servants”

H5650

a servant

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 3:15 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 3:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 41:71 Kings 8:65Daniel 5:1Esther 1:32 Samuel 6:17-192 Chronicles 7:7-10

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 1 Kings 3 →

Test Your Knowledge

1 Kings 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Kings Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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