And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.

1 KINGS 3:1KJV
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1 Kings 3:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 3:1 mean?

1 Kings 3:1 describes how Solomon formed a political alliance with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, by marrying Pharaoh’s daughter and bringing her to live in the city of David. She stayed there while Solomon was building his own palace, the temple for the LORD, and the wall around Jerusalem.

This verse is set early in Solomon’s reign as king over Israel. The passage highlights Solomon’s diplomatic approach by making a marriage alliance (“made affinity”) with Egypt, a major world power. The verse also notes that Jerusalem’s major building projects—including Solomon’s palace and the temple—were still underway, showing the city was in a period of growth and transition.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 3:1

  • חָתַן (ḥāthan, “affinity”): This word means to form a marriage alliance, usually for political reasons. Here, it emphasizes that Solomon’s marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter was a strategic move, not just a personal relationship.
  • בַּת (bat, “daughter”): The use of this word for Pharaoh’s daughter underlines her royal status and the significance of the alliance between Israel and Egypt.
  • בָּנָה (banah, “building”): This verb shows that the construction of Solomon’s house, the temple, and Jerusalem’s wall were ongoing, setting the scene for a time of major development in Israel’s capital.

Why 1 Kings 3:1 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Solomon’s early reign involved not just religious or military actions but also international diplomacy, especially with powerful neighbors like Egypt.
  • The mention of unfinished building projects helps the reader understand the timeline and priorities of Solomon’s rule, showing that the city and its institutions were still being established.
  • The alliance with Egypt through marriage would have been seen as a significant achievement, but it also sets up later tensions in the biblical story about foreign influence and faithfulness to Israel’s God.

Where else these words appear

“affinity” Hebrew H2859 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 34:9 And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto us, and take our daughters unto you.
  • Exodus 18:14 And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?
  • Judges 4:11 Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.

“wall” Hebrew H2346 · used in 123 verses

  • Exodus 14:22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
  • Nehemiah 2:8 And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.
  • Isaiah 36:11 Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.