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.

1 KINGS 3:15KJV
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1 Kings 3:15 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 3:15 mean?

1 Kings 3:15 describes how Solomon woke up from a dream, realized it was a dream, and then went to Jerusalem to worship before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and celebrated with a feast for all his servants.

In this verse, Solomon has just experienced a significant dream in which God spoke to him, granting him wisdom. Upon waking, Solomon responds by going to Jerusalem, the central place of worship, and honoring God with sacrifices and a communal meal. This action shows Solomon’s gratitude and recognition of God’s presence and covenant, marking the start of his reign with worship and celebration.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 3:15

  • "Dream" (חֲלוֹם, ḥalôm): The word used for "dream" emphasizes that Solomon’s encounter with God was a supernatural experience, not just a regular dream. This highlights the importance of dreams as a way God communicated in the Old Testament.
  • "Ark" (אֲרוֹן, ’arôn) and "covenant" (בְּרִית, bĕrît): The ark of the covenant was the sacred chest representing God’s presence and agreement with Israel. Solomon standing before it shows his respect for God’s holiness and the seriousness of his response.
  • "Burnt offerings" (עֹלוֹת, ‘olôt) and "peace offerings" (שְׁלָמִים, shelāmîm): These sacrifices were acts of worship. Burnt offerings symbolized dedication to God, while peace offerings were shared meals expressing fellowship and gratitude.

Why 1 Kings 3:15 matters

  • 1 Kings 3:15 shows that Solomon’s wisdom and relationship with God begin with worship and gratitude, not just with receiving a gift in a dream.
  • The verse connects Solomon’s private encounter with God to a public act of worship, showing that spiritual experiences are meant to shape real-life actions and leadership.
  • By mentioning the ark of the covenant and the specific offerings, the verse ties Solomon’s reign to Israel’s traditions and God’s ongoing promises, grounding his kingship in faithfulness to God.

Where else these words appear

“awoke” Hebrew H3364 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 9:24 And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.
  • Genesis 41:7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.
  • Judges 16:20 And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.

“feast” Hebrew H4960 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
  • Esther 2:18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
  • Esther 9:19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.

“dream” Hebrew H2472 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
  • Genesis 41:11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
  • Job 7:14 Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:

“offerings” Hebrew H8002 · used in 84 verses

  • Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
  • Leviticus 9:22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.
  • Joshua 22:27 But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.