And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights the immense scale of Solomon's early devotion, not just offering a sacrifice, but a thousand burnt offerings in a single go! It shows us that his pursuit of wisdom wasn't a casual affair; it began with a massive act of worship and commitment to God.
And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Solomon has just inherited the throne and is seeking God's favor and wisdom to rule. He journeys to Gibeon, the traditional site for worship, where he offers a massive sacrifice to dedicate his reign. This act of profound devotion immediately precedes God's appearance to Solomon in a dream, offering him anything he desires.
Solomon starts his reign with a massive sacrifice. But where and why this particular place?
The Gibeon High Place
The verse points to Gibeon as a 'great high place.' This wasn't necessarily a forbidden place, but it was a place of significant, long-standing worship, even before the central Temple in Jerusalem was built. It’s where the Tabernacle had been situated for a long time. Think of it like a sacred, ancient landmark where people had always gone to connect with God.
However, the Law of Moses was clear: God desired worship at one central sanctuary. Gibeon, while historically significant, wasn't the designated spot for the future. Solomon’s choice here is a fascinating blend of respecting tradition and… well, we'll see where it leads.
Solomon doesn't just offer a sacrifice; he offers a thousand burnt offerings. What does this extreme act reveal?
The Scale of Solomon's Devotion
Offering a thousand burnt offerings in one go is staggering! This wasn't a small token gesture. Burnt offerings were costly, requiring significant resources and signifying complete devotion – the entire animal consumed by fire, representing total commitment to God.
Solomon is essentially going all-in. It shows a deep desire to seek God and establish his reign on a spiritual foundation. This act precedes God's appearance to Solomon in a dream, suggesting that the intensity of Solomon's pursuit, even if initially at a less-than-ideal location, got God's attention.
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Understand the original words
mizbeach · Hebrew Noun
A structure built to facilitate the act of sacrificing to God. It serves as a meeting point between the human and the divine, where a life is surrendered in worship or atonement.
Solomon's reign begins with a significant act of worship at Gibeon, a place of ancient prominence, before the central sanctuary of the Temple is established in Jerusalem.
c. 970 BC
Solomon Becomes King of Israel
Following the death of his father, David, Solomon ascends to the throne of a united Israel, inheriting a kingdom established and expanded by David.
c. 970 BC
Solomon Marries Pharaoh's Daughter
Solomon strategically allies himself with Egypt by marrying the daughter of the Pharaoh, an alliance that likely provided a period of peace and stability.
c. 970 BC— this verse
Solomon's Visit to Gibeon
Seeking divine guidance, Solomon travels to the high place at Gibeon, a significant sanctuary where he offers sacrifices and encounters God in a dream.
c. 970 BC
God Appears to Solomon in a Dream
In Gibeon, God grants Solomon wisdom and discernment, asking what he desires most, to which Solomon humbly requests an understanding heart to govern his people.
c. 967 BC
Construction of the Temple Begins
After receiving wisdom and establishing his rule, Solomon initiates the monumental project of building the permanent Temple in Jerusalem, God's chosen dwelling place.
This passage describes God's instructions for building altars and offering sacrifices, setting the context for why Gibeon was a significant place for such worship.
Deuteronomy 12:5-14This scripture explains that God would choose a central place for His name to be worshipped, highlighting the importance of designated worship sites like the one in Gibeon.
2 Chronicles 1:6-7This passage provides another account of Solomon's encounter at the high place in Gibeon, reinforcing the significance of this event and his immense sacrifices.
Psalm 50:7-15This psalm challenges superficial worship and sacrifice, reminding us that God desires obedience and a thankful heart, a truth Solomon would soon learn more deeply after his encounter at Gibeon.
This verse highlights the immense scale of Solomon's early devotion, not just offering a sacrifice, but a thousand burnt offerings in a single go! It shows us that his pursuit of wisdom wasn't a casual affair; it began with a massive act of worship and commitment to God.
Solomon has just inherited the throne and is seeking God's favor and wisdom to rule. He journeys to Gibeon, the traditional site for worship, where he offers a massive sacrifice to dedicate his reign. This act of profound devotion immediately precedes God's appearance to Solomon in a dream, offering him anything he desires.
Solomon has just inherited the throne and is seeking God's favor and wisdom to rule. He journeys to Gibeon, the traditional site for worship, where he offers a massive sacrifice to dedicate his reign. This act of profound devotion immediately precedes God's appearance to Solomon in a dream, offering him anything he desires.
"And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar." — This verse highlights the immense scale of Solomon's early devotion, not just offering a sacrifice, but a thousand burnt offerings in a single go! It shows us that his pursuit of wisdom wasn't a…
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Last reviewed October 2026