What is the meaning of 1 Kings 9:16?

Pharaoh king of Egypt

- 1 Kings 3:1 notes Solomon’s marriage alliance with Pharaoh’s daughter, setting the political backdrop for 1 Kings 9:16.

- Pharaoh is a title, not a personal name, underscoring Egypt’s might and the international scope of Solomon’s reign (cf. Isaiah 19:11).

- This verse reminds us that God sovereignly moves even pagan rulers to accomplish His purposes (cf. Proverbs 21:1).

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Had attacked and captured Gezer

- Gezer lay on the Philistine–Canaanite border along a major coastal trade route; its control meant economic and military advantage (cf. Joshua 10:33; Judges 1:29).

- Israel had previously failed to expel the original inhabitants (Joshua 16:10). Pharaoh’s conquest finishes what Israel left undone, illustrating how God can use outsiders to complete His commands (cf. Judges 2:1-3).

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He had set it on fire

- Burning a city signified total defeat and purification for new ownership (cf. Joshua 6:24 on Jericho).

- The fire clears away former allegiances, preparing Gezer to be incorporated into Solomon’s kingdom free of entrenched pagan practices (cf. Deuteronomy 7:5).

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Killed the Canaanites who lived in the city

- This act fulfills the ancient mandate to remove Canaanite influence from the land (Deuteronomy 20:16-18).

- While Pharaoh’s motives were political, the result aligns with Israel’s covenant calling to avoid idolatry and syncretism (Exodus 23:32-33).

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Given it as a dowry to his daughter, Solomon’s wife

- A dowry (gift from the bride’s father) contrasts with a bride-price (gift from the groom); here Pharaoh bestows territory, signaling honor and lasting alliance (cf. Genesis 24:59-61 for family gifts at marriage).

- 1 Kings 9:17-18 shows Solomon rebuilding Gezer, integrating it into his fortified network—evidence of God’s blessing of expansion promised in 1 Kings 3:14.

- The gift underlines Solomon’s elevated status: even Egypt’s ruler enriches him (cf. Psalm 72:10-11).

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summary

1 Kings 9:16 records a historical event in which Egypt’s Pharaoh conquers the strategic city of Gezer, destroys its pagan inhabitants, and presents the cleansed site to his daughter, Solomon’s wife, as a dowry. The verse highlights God’s sovereign orchestration of international affairs to advance Israel’s security, fulfill earlier commands to dispossess the Canaanites, and elevate Solomon’s kingdom in fulfillment of divine promises.