Following a profound nighttime revelation and a divine promise, King Solomon makes his way back from Gibeon to the capital city. This journey marks the true, practical beginning of his established reign.
The primary approach among commentators is that this event describes Solomon's return journey. The morning after his vision, he first visited the high place in Gibeon to offer sacrifices, thanking God for the wonderful promises he had just received. Afterward, he departed from the Tent of Meeting and traveled back to Jerusalem [רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת דוד, רד״ק, חומת אנך]. However, another perspective suggests a more dramatic action. According to this view, Solomon did not merely travel back to the capital. Instead, he dismantled the Tent of Meeting and the copper altar, bringing the high place itself from Gibeon to Jerusalem. This significant move explains why he later offered his sacrifices exclusively in Jerusalem, with no need to ever return to Gibeon [מלבי״ם].
Tradition highlights the deep reverence Solomon held for the holy site as he departed. When he left the Tent of Meeting, he refused to turn his back on it. Instead, he walked backward, keeping his face directed toward the sacred space. This display of respect established a lasting practice for how a person should depart from a holy place or take leave of a great individual. It became the standard conduct for priests, Levites, and everyday Israelites in the Temple, as well as for a student parting from a teacher [רד״ק, חומת אנך].
The conclusion of this journey solidifies Solomon's position as the true leader of the nation. It was only at this specific moment that the people accepted his rule with deep love and complete agreement [מצודת דוד]. This widespread public acceptance was the direct result of the immense divine wisdom granted to him during the night, which quickly became public knowledge upon his return to Jerusalem. This divine gift was most famously displayed during the trial of the two prostitutes. The event proved to the entire nation that the wisdom of God was within him to administer justice, firmly establishing his kingship in practice [רלב״ג, מלבי״ם].