1 Kings 3:4

And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that [was] the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.

And the king {H4428} went {H3212} to Gibeon {H1391} to sacrifice {H2076} there; for that {H1931} was the great {H1419} high place {H1116}: a thousand {H505} burnt offerings {H5930} did Solomon {H8010} offer {H5927} upon that altar {H4196}.

One time the king went to Giv'on to sacrifice there, because that was the main high place. Shlomo offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar there.

Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for it was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar there.

And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt-offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.

Commentary

1 Kings 3:4 describes a pivotal moment early in the reign of King Solomon, setting the stage for his famous encounter with God. This verse highlights his significant act of worship and devotion.

Context

Following the consolidation of his kingdom after the death of his father, David (1 Kings 2:12), Solomon traveled to Gibeon. At this time, before the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, Gibeon was considered "the great high place." It was a prominent site for worship because the tabernacle, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the bronze altar were still located there (2 Chronicles 1:3). Solomon's decision to offer a thousand burnt offerings there was an extraordinary display of piety, wealth, and a clear intention to seek God's favor and guidance at the outset of his rule.

Key Themes

  • Profound Devotion: Solomon's journey to Gibeon and the immense scale of his sacrifice underscore his desire to honor God and establish his reign on a spiritual foundation. This act was not merely ritualistic but indicative of a heart seeking divine approval and wisdom.
  • Seeking God's Favor: By offering such a vast number of burnt offerings (a type of sacrifice detailed in Leviticus 1:3 that signified complete dedication), Solomon was actively seeking God's blessing and presence over his kingdom. This massive act of worship immediately precedes God's appearance to him (1 Kings 3:5).
  • Legitimacy of Worship at "High Places": While later in Israel's history "high places" became associated with idolatry and were condemned, at this specific point, Gibeon was a recognized, legitimate site for national worship due to the presence of the tabernacle.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "burnt offerings" (Hebrew: 'olah) refers to a sacrifice entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete surrender, atonement, and dedication to God. The sheer quantity—"a thousand burnt offerings"—emphasizes the lavishness and earnestness of Solomon's worship, demonstrating his immense resources and profound commitment.

Practical Application

Solomon's actions in 1 Kings 3:4 serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of prioritizing God at the beginning of any significant endeavor or new season in life. His willingness to invest time, resources, and personal presence in worship before making major decisions highlights:

  • The value of seeking God's guidance and blessing through earnest prayer and devotion.
  • That true leadership, particularly in a spiritual sense, begins with humility and dependence on divine wisdom.
  • The principle that generous giving and wholehearted worship can precede significant divine encounters and blessings.

This verse encourages believers today to cultivate a spirit of profound worship and to seek God's face diligently, trusting that He honors those who honor Him.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 7:5

    And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.

  • 2 Chronicles 1:3

    So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that [was] at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.

  • 1 Chronicles 16:39

    And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that [was] at Gibeon,

  • 2 Chronicles 1:6

    And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which [was] at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.

  • 2 Chronicles 1:12

    Wisdom and knowledge [is] granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that [have been] before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.

  • 1 Chronicles 21:29

    For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of the burnt offering, [were] at that season in the high place at Gibeon.

  • Isaiah 40:16

    And Lebanon [is] not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.
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