1 Kings 3:5 Meaning and Explanation
“In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →At Gibeon the LORD appears to Solomon in a night dream and invites him to ask for whatever he desires.
What Does 1 Kings 3:5 Mean?
After the worship comes the encounter. By night, in a dream, the LORD appears to the young king and offers an astonishing open invitation: "Ask what I shall give thee." God does not dictate the gift; He waits to see what Solomon's heart will reach for. The whole chapter turns on this moment of revealed desire.
What we ask of God uncovers who we are. The invitation is a kind of test wrapped in grace, for God already knows the heart and means to bless it. The same generous Lord still bids His people ask, promising that those who seek will find (Matthew 7:7). The question put to Solomon is gently put to every reader: given the chance, what would you ask for?
1 Kings 3:5 in the Original Language
chalom (חֲלוֹם), 'dream' -- a night vision through which God could disclose His will.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 3:5
What does 1 Kings 3:5 mean?
At Gibeon the LORD appears to Solomon in a night dream and invites him to ask for whatever he desires.