And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.

1 KINGS 3:4KJV
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1 Kings 3:4 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 3:4 mean?

1 Kings 3:4 describes King Solomon going to Gibeon to offer sacrifices because it was considered the most important high place at that time. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar there, showing the scale and seriousness of his worship.

This verse is set early in Solomon’s reign, before the temple in Jerusalem was built. The writer notes that Gibeon was the “great high place,” meaning it was the main location for worship and sacrifices. Solomon’s action of offering a thousand burnt offerings highlights his devotion and the significance of this moment as he seeks God’s favor and guidance.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 3:4

  • גִּבְעוֹן (Gibeon, "Giv'on"): This was a specific city north of Jerusalem known for its high place, which served as the main worship center before the temple was built. The choice of Gibeon shows Solomon’s respect for traditional worship locations.
  • בָּמָה (bamah, "high place"): This word refers to an elevated site used for worship and sacrifices. The verse calls Gibeon the “great” (גָּדוֹל, gadol) high place, emphasizing its importance above other local worship sites.
  • עֹלָה (olah, "burnt offering"): This term means a sacrifice that is completely burned on the altar, symbolizing total dedication to God. The mention of “a thousand” (אֶלֶף, eleph) burnt offerings stresses the extraordinary scale of Solomon’s act.

Why 1 Kings 3:4 matters

  • This verse explains why Solomon was at Gibeon when God appeared to him in a dream, setting up the famous request for wisdom in the following verses.
  • The focus on the “great high place” clarifies that centralized worship at the temple had not yet begun, so sacrifices were still made at established high places.
  • The sheer number of offerings underlines Solomon’s commitment and the importance of this moment in his relationship with God, marking the beginning of his reign with a public act of devotion.

Where else these words appear

“Gibeon” Hebrew H1391 · used in 35 verses

  • Joshua 9:3 And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,
  • Joshua 18:25 Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth,
  • 1 Chronicles 9:35 And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife's name was Maachah:

“that” Hebrew H1931 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 2:11 The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
  • Genesis 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.
  • Joshua 10:13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.

“place” Hebrew H1116 · used in 92 verses

  • Leviticus 26:30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
  • 2 Kings 16:4 And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

“sacrifice” Hebrew H2076 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 31:54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
  • 1 Samuel 1:21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.
  • 2 Chronicles 15:11 And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.