1 Kings 3:4

4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, ¹for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.

1 Kings 3:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 3:4

And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there
About four or five miles from Jerusalem; (See Gill on 1 Kings 2:28);

for that [was] the great high place;
not that the place itself might be higher than others that were used; but here were the tabernacle of Moses, and the altar; so that it was a more dignified place, and more sacred because of them:

a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar;
the brazen altar of burnt offerings there; not at one time, but on several days successively; though Jarchi says on one day; and which was a prodigious number, never was known the like, unless at the dedication of the temple, ( 1 Kings 8:63 1 Kings 8:64 ) .

1 Kings 3:4 In-Context

2 The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the Lord.

3 Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places.

4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.

5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you. ”

6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day.

Cross References

• 1. 3:4 2 Chr. 1:3, 6, 13; [1 Chr. 16:39; 21:29]