1 Kings 3:28

When all Israel heard of the judgment the king had given, they stood in awe of him, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The narrator records the reaction of the Israelite populace immediately after Solomon renders his ruling in the dispute between two women claiming the same infant. The text states that all Israel heard the king’s decision and recognized the divine wisdom behind his administration of justice.

The words — The Hebrew verb וַ/יִּשְׁמְע֣וּ (va/i.yish.me.'U) means "and they heard," while הַ/מִּשְׁפָּט֙ (ha./mish.Pat) translates literally to "the judgment." These terms anchor the narrative moment when the people learn of the king’s ruling.

The thread — This theme of divinely granted wisdom for governance echoes Solomon’s initial petition in 1 Kings 3:9 and points forward to the New Testament description of Christ as the hidden treasure of wisdom and knowledge in Colossians 2:3. The narrative also resonates with Daniel’s acknowledgment of God as the Revealer of Mysteries and Lord of kings in Daniel 2:47.

Why it lands — The text requires a reader to observe that legitimate authority derives from recognized divine wisdom rather than human power alone. It demands an honest assessment of whether one’s own judgments reflect discernment or mere opinion.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וַיִּשְׁמְע֣וּva/i.yish.me.'Uand/ they heard כָל־khol-all יִשְׂרָאֵ֗לYis.ra.'ElIsrael אֶת־'et-<obj.>הַמִּשְׁפָּט֙ha./mish.Patthe/ judgment אֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.Sherwhich שָׁפַ֣טsha.Fathe had judged הַמֶּ֔לֶךְha./Me.lekhthe/ king וַיִּֽרְא֖וּva/i.yir.'Uand/ they were afraid מִפְּנֵ֣יmi./pe.Neiof/ <the face of>הַמֶּ֑לֶךְha./Me.lekhthe/ king כִּ֣יkifor רָא֔וּra.'Uthey saw כִּֽי־ki-that חָכְמַ֧תcha.khe.Mat[the] wisdom of אֱלֹהִ֛ים'E.lo.HimGod בְּקִרְבּ֖וֹbe./kir.B/o[was] <in>/ within/ him לַעֲשׂ֥וֹתla./'a.Sotto/ do מִשְׁפָּֽט׃ סmish.Patjustice

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

1 Kings 3:9 Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
Colossians 2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Daniel 2:47 The king said to Daniel, “Your God is truly the God of gods and Lord of kings, the Revealer of Mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery.”
1 Corinthians 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Ecclesiastes 7:19 Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.
Daniel 2:21 He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
Proverbs 24:21 My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.
Ezra 7:25 And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God, which you possess, are to appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people west of the Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach these laws to anyone who does not know them.
Exodus 14:31 When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and believed in Him and in His servant Moses.
Joshua 4:14 On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had revered Moses.