I Kings 3:28
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When all Israel heard of the judgment the king had given, they stood in awe of him, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This judicial decision convinced all the people that Solomon was endowed with divine wisdom for the administration of justice.
Open source ↗Solomon's reign looked bloody in the foregoing chapter, but the necessary acts of justice must not be called cruelty; in this chapter it appears with another face. We must not think the worse of God's mercy to his subjects for his judgments on rebels. We have here, I. Solomon's marriage to Pharaoh's daughter (Kg1 3:1). II. A general view of his religion (Kg1 3:2-4). III. A particular account of his prayer to God for wisdom, and the answer to that prayer (Kg1 3:5-15). IV. A particular instance of his wisdom in deciding the controversy between the two harlots (Kg1 3:16-28). And very great he looks here, both at the altar and on the bench, and therefore on the bench because at the altar.
Open source ↗3:28 Kings often claimed special wisdom and the ability to make just decisions. As God promised, Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of other wise men (4:29-34; 10:6-9, 23-24).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
The king said to Daniel, “Your God is truly the God of gods and Lord of kings, the Revealer of Mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery.”
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.
He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.
And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God which you possess, are to appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people west of the Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach these laws to anyone who does not know them.
When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and believed in Him and in His servant Moses.
So Samuel called to the LORD, and on that day the LORD sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice.