Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 3:15 together. It’s a really important passage about God’s plan for Israel! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Solomon, King of Israel, had a very special dream. “And Solomon awoke…” – This tells us the story is starting with a moment of rest and reflection. “…and, behold, [it was] a dream.” - This is key! It’s not a literal dream, but rather a vision or experience that Solomon had. “And he came to Jerusalem…” – He traveled to the city of Jerusalem, which was the center of Israel's religious life. “…and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD…” - The ark of the covenant is a very important symbol in Jewish tradition. It’s believed to be a container that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, giving God's laws and instructions to the Israelites. So, Solomon was standing right where the law was most important. “and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings…” – He performed rituals like burning sacrifices (burnt offerings) and offering gifts meant for peaceful relationships with God. “…and made a feast to all his servants.” - This is a HUGE part of the story. Solomon organized a huge celebration – a feast – for everyone in Israel, showing gratitude to God and celebrating his victory. So, what’s the big takeaway? This verse shows that God was very pleased with Solomon's wisdom and leadership. He used this dream as an opportunity to show his people how important it is to follow his laws and to worship him through rituals and celebrations. In essence, it describes a moment of divine revelation that led to a significant religious event in Israel’s history. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of the ark? Talk about the context of this story in the Bible?