1 KINGS CHAPTER 3 Solomon marrieth Pharaoh's daughter: high places being in use, he goeth to Gibeon to sacrifice, 1 Kings 3:1-4. There the Lord appeareth to him; gives him a choice: he preferreth wisdom; obtaineth it, and also riches and honour, 1 Kings 3:5-15. His judgment between the two harlots, 1 Kings 3:16-28. Made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, as being a powerful neighbour. Took Pharaoh's daughter; upon what conditions is not here expressed; but it is probable she was first instructed in and proselyted to the Jewish religion; as may be gathered,
1. Because he was not yet fallen from God, but loved the Lord, and walked in the statutes of David, 1 Kings 3:3; and therefore would never have married a gross idolater, which was so contrary to God's law, and so pernicious in its consequences.
2. Because he is no where reproved for this fact, as he is for loving many other strange women, 1 Kings 11:1.
3. By comparing Psa 45 and the Book of Canticles; whereby it plainly appears that this action had something extraordinary in it, and was designed by God to be a type of Christ, calling his church to himself, and to the true religion, not only out of the Jews, but even out of the Gentile world. The city of David; of which see 1 Kings 2:10; into David's palace there. The house of the Lord, i.e. the temple appropriated to the worship and honour of God. The wall of Jerusalem round about; which though in some sort built by David, 2 Samuel 5:9, yet Solomon is here said to build, either because he made it higher, and stronger, and more beautiful and glorious; in which or the like sense Nebuchadnezzar is said to have built Babylon, Daniel 4:30; or because he built another wall besides the former, for greater security; for after this time Jerusalem was encompassed with more walls than one.