I Kings 3:15 · Bible study
1 Kings 3:15 Commentary: The Dream and the Worship
Hebrew · 7 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Solomon's immediate response to God's dream: worship before the ark, sacrifices, and a feast. This study explores the nature of the dream and his faith.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Solomon’s worship confirms the divine nature of his dream and his gratitude for God’s promise.
- Key words: 'behold it was a dream' (hitneh halom), a divine, prophetic dream, not an ordinary one.
- Main debate: Whether the dream was ordinary or prophetic; all supplied commentators agree it was divine.
- Theological theme: Responding to divine encounter with immediate worship and community celebration.
- Best use: Illustrates faith in action after receiving God’s guidance; a model for thanksgiving.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Then Solomon awoke, and indeed it had been a dream. So he returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he held a feast for all his servants.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Solomon awoke; and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, and offered up burnt offerings, offered peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream: and he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and offered up burnt-offerings, and offered peace-offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And Solomon awaketh, and lo, a dream; and he cometh in to Jerusalem, and standeth before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and causeth to ascend burnt-offerings, and maketh peace-offerings. And he maketh a banquet for all his servants,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and offered up burnt-offerings, and offered peace-offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And Solomon awaked, and perceived that it was a dream: and when he was come to Jerusalem, he stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered holocausts, and sacrificed victims of peace offerings, and made a great feast for all his servants.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y como Salomón despertó, vió que era sueño: y vino á Jerusalem, y presentóse delante del arca del pacto de Jehová, y sacrificó holocaustos, é hizo pacíficos; hizo también banquete á todos sus siervos.
E quando Salomão despertou, viu que era sonho: e veio a Jerusalém, e apresentou-se diante da arca do pacto do SENHOR, e sacrificou holocaustos, e fez ofertas pacíficas; fez também banquete a todos seus servos.
Salomon s’ éveilla. Et voilà le songe. Salomon revint à Jérusalem, et se présenta devant l’ arche de l’ alliance de l’Éternel. Il offrit des holocaustes et des sacrifices d’ actions de grâces, et il fit un festin à tous ses serviteurs.
Und da Salomo erwachte, siehe, da war es ein Traum. Und er kam gen Jerusalem und trat vor die Lade des Bundes des HERRN und opferte Brandopfer und Dankopfer und machte ein großes Mahl allen seinen Knechten.
En Salomo waakte op, en ziet, het was een droom. En hij kwam te Jeruzalem, en stond voor de ark des verbonds des HEEREN, en offerde brandofferen, en bereidde dankofferen, en maakte een maaltijd voor al zijn knechten.
Salomone si svegliò, ed ecco era un sogno; tornò a Gerusalemme, si presentò davanti all’arca del patto del Signore, e offerse olocausti, sacrifizi di azioni di grazie e fece un convito a tutti i suoi servi.
A gdy się ocucił Salomon, zrozumiał, że to był sen. I przyszedł do Jeruzalemu, a stanąwszy przed skrzynią przymierza Pańskiego, sprawował całopalenia, i ofiarował ofiary spokojne, sprawił też ucztę na wszystkie sługi swoje.
И пробудился Соломон, и вот, это было сновидение. И пошел он в Иерусалим и стал [пред жертвенником] пред ковчегом завета Господня, и принес всесожжения и совершил жертвы мирные, и сделал большой пир для всех слуг своих.
所羅門 醒了，不料 是個夢。他就回到 耶路撒冷，站 在耶和華 的約 櫃 前，獻 燔祭 和 平安祭，又為他眾 臣僕 設擺 筵席。
And Solomon, awakening, saw that it was a dream; then he came to Jerusalem, where he went before the ark of the agreement of the Lord, offering burned offerings and peace-offerings; and he made a feast for all his servants.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Kings 3:15
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Solomon's dream was a divine revelation, not an ordinary dream. Gill calls it a 'dream of prophecy,' and the Cambridge Bible notes that such dreams were a recognized means of receiving God's will. Solomon's immediate actions, traveling to Jerusalem, standing before the ark, offering burnt and peace offerings, and hosting a feast, demonstrate his faith and gratitude. Barnes emphasizes that this worship inaugurated his reign: 'Solomon determined to inaugurate his reign by a grand religious ceremonial at each of the two holy places.' The feast, made from the peace offerings, was a communal celebration of God's promises. The consensus is clear: Solomon's response confirms the dream's reality and his trust in God.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Solomon's actions were a sincere expression of worship and gratitude in response to a divine encounter.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of the dream | The dream was a divine revelation, not an ordinary or illusory dream. | No significant debate; all commentators affirm the dream was prophetic. |
| Worship location | Solomon worshiped at both Gibeon (tabernacle) and Jerusalem (ark), honoring both holy places. | Some commentators note that the LXX adds a detail about standing before the altar on Zion, but this does not affect the meaning. |
| Significance of the feast | The feast was a joyful celebration of God’s promises, shared with all his servants. | None. The feast is understood as a natural part of peace offerings, including communal eating. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Solomon had just completed a major religious ceremony at Gibeon, where the tabernacle of the congregation stood. There God appeared to him in a dream, granting wisdom along with riches and honor. This verse records his next movement: he travels to Jerusalem and stands before the ark of Yahweh's covenant on Mount Zion. David had brought the ark to Jerusalem and placed it in a tent (
The two locations, Gibeon with the bronze altar and Jerusalem with the ark, represented the religious heritage of Israel. By worshiping at both, Solomon honored the full tradition. The peace offerings included a shared meal, as prescribed in Leviticus 7:11-19. The Cambridge Bible notes that the LXX adds a comment about standing before the altar on Zion. This feast for all his servants likely included the Levite, the stranger, and the poor, as Deuteronomy 14:29 commands. It was a joyful inauguration of his reign, grounded in the promises received at Gibeon."They brought in Yahweh’s ark, and set it in its place in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Yahweh."
— 2 Samuel 6:17 (WEB)
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note that the Septuagint (LXX) adds a comment: 'he stood before the altar which was before the ark of the covenant of the Lord on Zion.' The Masoretic Text does not include this detail. No other significant variants are mentioned in the consulted commentaries.
Reception History
This verse has been read across Christian traditions as a model of responding to divine encounter with immediate worship and thanksgiving. The pattern of awakening, offering sacrifice, and feasting appears in the practices of both Jewish and Christian communities. The Geneva Bible notes highlight the dream as a divine assurance. In the history of interpretation, Solomon's response is often contrasted with those who receive God's promises but fail to act. The feast has been seen as a foretaste of the Messianic banquet, a theme later developed in the New Testament.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Dream Is Real, 'Behold, it was a dream' does not mean it was illusory. As the Cambridge Bible explains, the dream was one of the recognized modes of divine revelation. Solomon knew it was genuine, and he acted on it.
- Worship in Response, He went to Jerusalem and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. This was his first act after the dream: to acknowledge God publicly with sacrifice.
- Celebration of Community, He made a feast for all his servants. The peace offerings became a shared meal, fulfilling the command to include others in rejoicing before the Lord.
Five-point outline
- Awakening to God’s Promise, Solomon awoke with a new awareness of God's gift.
- Moving to Jerusalem, He took deliberate action, traveling to the place of God's presence.
- Standing Before the Ark, He took his place in humble reverence before the covenant symbol.
- Offering Sacrifices, He gave burnt offerings (wholly consumed) and peace offerings (shared feast), expressing total devotion and thanksgiving.
- Feasting with All, He invited everyone to share in the joy of God’s provision.
Illustration hooks
- A person receives news of a job promotion or answer to prayer. Do they rush to thank God first, or do they get busy planning? Solomon's example invites immediate worship.
- When a church celebrates a milestone, the response often includes a special service or shared meal. This rhythm of sacrifice and feast mirrors Solomon's pattern.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How can I tell if a dream, impression, or inner sense is from God or just my own thoughts?
- What should be my first response when God answers a specific prayer or gives a clear promise?
- Why is it important to celebrate God's goodness with others, not just privately?
Leading a Discussion
This verse captures Solomon's immediate response to God's dream. He did not delay or second-guess. He moved from the place of revelation (Gibeon) to the place of worship (Jerusalem) and then to a feast with his people. This pattern can guide our own responses to God's work in our lives.
Discussion questions
- What does Solomon’s first action after the dream tell us about his heart and priorities?
- Why do you think Solomon went to Jerusalem instead of staying at Gibeon? What did the ark represent?
- What is the significance of offering both burnt offerings and peace offerings? How do they differ in purpose?
- The feast was for all his servants. How does this reflect God’s desire for community celebration?
- Have you ever received a clear answer to prayer or a sense of divine guidance? How did you respond?
- What can we learn from Solomon’s model about integrating worship, gratitude, and fellowship?
- How can our church or small group create more opportunities to 'feast together' after experiencing God’s goodness?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 31:54 | Jacob offered a sacrifice in the mountain, and called his relatives to eat bread. They ate bread, and stayed all night in the mountain. |
| Genesis 40:20 | On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants, and he lifted up the head of the chief cup bearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. |
| Genesis 41:7 | The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy and full ears. Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. |
| Leviticus 3:1 | “‘If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offerings, if he offers it from the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without defect before Yahweh. |
| Leviticus 3:17 | “‘It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings, that you shall eat neither fat nor blood.’” |
| Leviticus 7:11 | “‘This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which one shall offer to Yahweh: |
| Leviticus 7:19 | “‘The meat that touches any unclean thing shall not be eaten. It shall be burned with fire. As for the meat, everyone who is clean may eat it; |
| II Samuel 6:17 | They brought in Yahweh’s ark, and set it in its place in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Yahweh. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes notes that Solomon intentionally held religious ceremonies at both Gibeon and Jerusalem, honoring the two sacred sites that divided the people's devotion. The feast from the peace offerings was not merely a celebration; it fulfilled the command to include the Levite, stranger, orphan, and widow.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator explains that calling the vision a dream does not mean it was illusory or unreliable. In the ancient world, dreams were a recognized channel for receiving God's will. Solomon's immediate response of traveling to Jerusalem, offering sacrifices, and feasting with his servants shows he trusted the promises and rejoiced in them.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
And when Salomon awoke, behold, it was a dreame, and he came to Ierusalem, and stoode before the Arke of the couenant of the Lord, and offred burnt offrings and made peace offrings, and made a feast to all his seruants.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill stresses that Solomon's dream was not an ordinary, empty dream but a divine, prophetic one. Its truth was instantly confirmed when Solomon awoke and found himself possessed of wisdom he never had before, prompting his grateful worship and celebration.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB reads the lasting impression and resulting prosperity of Solomon's dream as confirming its divine
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that what made Solomon's request so pleasing to God was his humble sense of personal inadequacy and his focus on serving the people rather than seeking his own advantage. Because Solomon asked for wisdom to govern, not for long life, riches or victory over enemies, God gave him both unprecedented wisdom and every blessing he had not asked for.