1 Kings 3:28

1 Kings 3:28 in other versions

• King James Version (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.
• New International Version (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.
• English Standard Version (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.
• New King James Version (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.

Context of 1 Kings 3:28

26Then the woman whose child was the living one spoke to the king, for she was deeply moved over her son, “O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; cut him!” 27Then the king said, “Give the first woman [who is pleading for his life] the living child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother.” When all [the people of] Israel heard about the judgment which the king had made, they [were in awe and reverently] feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was within him to administer justice.

1 Kings 3:28 word by word

וַיִּשְׁמְע֣וּ כָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֶת־הַמִּשְׁפָּט֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁפַ֣ט הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַיִּֽרְא֖וּ מִפְּנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ כִּ֣י רָא֔וּ כִּֽי־חָכְמַ֧ת אֱלֹהִ֛ים בְּקִרְבּ֖וֹ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת מִשְׁפָּֽט׃ סRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And all Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
• heardשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
• of the judgmentמִשְׁפָּטmishpâţ · justice: judgementH4941
• which the kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• had judgedשָׁפַטshâphaţ · to judgeH8199
• and they fearedיָרֵאyârê' · to fear: revereH3372
• the kingפָּנֶהpânîym · face ofH6440
• for they sawרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: examineH7200
• that the wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
• of Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
• in himקֶ֫רֶבqereb · entrails: amongH7130
• to doעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
• judgmentמִשְׁפָּטmishpâţ · justiceH4941

Cross-references for 1 Kings 3:28

• Exodus 14:31When Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, they feared the Lord [with reverence and awe-filled respect], and they believed in the Lord, and in His servant Moses.
• Joshua 4:14On that day the Lord magnified and exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; so they feared him [with profound awe and reverence], just as they had feared Moses all the days of his life.
• 1 Samuel 12:18So Samuel called to the Lord [in prayer], and He sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.
• 1 Chronicles 29:24All of the leaders and warriors, and also all the sons of King David, pledged allegiance to King Solomon.
• Proverbs 24:21My son, fear the Lord and the king; And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
• 1 Kings 3:9So give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart [with which] to judge Your people, so that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge and rule this great people of Yours?”
• Ezra 7:25“You, Ezra, are to appoint magistrates and judges in accordance with the wisdom and instruction of your God which is in your hand, so that they may judge all the people who are in the province west of the [Euphrates] River; appoint those who know the laws of your God; and you may teach anyone who does not know them.
• Ecclesiastes 7:19Wisdom strengthens the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
• Daniel 2:21It is He who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise And [greater] knowledge to those who have understanding!
• Daniel 5:11There is a man in your kingdom in whom is a spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, illumination, understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him. And King Nebuchadnezzar, your father—your father the king, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans and diviners.
• 1 Corinthians 1:24but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles), Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
• Colossians 2:3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge [regarding the word and purposes of God].
• Psalms 72:2May he judge Your people with righteousness, And Your afflicted with justice.

Commentaries on 1 Kings 3:28

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 28They feared the king - This decision proved that they could not impose upon him; and they were afraid to do those things which might bring them before his judgment-seat. They saw that the wisdom of God was in him - They perceived that he was taught of God, judged impartially, and could not be deceived. What was done to the other woman we are not told; justice certainly required that she should be punished for her lies and fraud.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 28The wisdom of God - i. e. “Divine wisdom,” “a wisdom given by God” 1 Kings 3:12. The ready tact and knowledge of human nature exhibited in this pattern judgment, and its special fitness to impress Orientals, have generally been admitted.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-28Verses 16-28 An instance of Solomon's wisdom is given. Notice the difficulty of the case. To find out the true mother, he could not try which the child loved best, and therefore tried which loved the child best: the mother's sincerity will be tried, when the child is in danger. Let parents show their love to their children, especially by taking care of their souls, and snatching them as brands out of the burning. By this and other instances of the wisdom…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 28Kings often said they had special wisdom and could make fair decisions. God promised that Solomon's wisdom was greater than other wise men (1 Kings 4:29–34; 10:6–9, 23–24).Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Kings 3:28

• Arbitration
• Judge
• Parents
• Rulers
• Solomon
• Tact
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• God
• Israel
• Wisdom of God
• Affinity
• Divide
• Solomon
• Yearn
• Abishag
• Decision
• Israel, History of

Commentaries on 1 Kings 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings