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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)When all Israel heard the king’s decision, the people were in awe of the king, for they saw the wisdom God had given him for rendering justice.

Context of 1 Kings 3:28

26The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!” But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!” 27Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.” 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.

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 14:31And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.
• Joshua 4:14That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they stood in awe of him all the days of his life, just as they had stood in awe of Moses.
• 1 Samuel 12:18Then Samuel called on the Lord, and that same day the Lord sent thunder and rain. So all the people stood in awe of the Lord and of Samuel.
• 1 Chronicles 29:24All the officers and warriors, as well as all of King David’s sons, pledged their submission to King Solomon.
• Proverbs 24:21Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials,
• 1 Kings 3:9So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
• Ezra 7:25And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach any who do not know them.
• Ecclesiastes 7:19Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city.
• Daniel 2:21He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
• Daniel 5:11There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners.
• 1 Corinthians 1:24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
• Colossians 2:3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
• Psalms 72:2May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones 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