1 Kings 3:11
9 Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
10 Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request.
So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice—
12 behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has never been nor will ever be another like you.
13 Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice—
- KJV
- And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
- WEB
- God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have you asked for riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice,
- ASV
- And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life, neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies, but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern justice;
- DARBY
- And God said to him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life, neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies, but hast asked for thyself discernment to understand judgment;
- BLB
- And God said to him, “Because that you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, and not have asked for yourself riches, and not have asked the life of your enemies, and you have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice—
- ÅB
- Og Gud sa til ham: Fordi du har bedt om denne ting og ikke bedt om et langt liv og ikke bedt om rikdom og heller ikke om dine fienders død, men har bedt om forstand til å akte på hva rett er,
- OTB
- Gud sa til ham, "Fordi du har bedt om dette, og ikke bedt om langt liv for deg selv, heller ikke rikdom for deg selv, heller ikke dine fienders liv, men har søkt forstand til å forstå rettferdighet,
- B1930
- Og Gud sa til ham: Efterdi du har bedt om denne ting og ikke bedt om et langt liv og ikke bedt om rikdom og heller ikke om dine fienders død, men har bedt om forstand til å akte på hvad rett er,
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
1 Kings 3:9
Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
Read in contextJames 4:2–3
You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.
Read in contextProverbs 16:31
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
Read in contextRomans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.
Read in contextPsalms 4:6
Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD.
Read in contextMatthew 20:21–22
“What do you want?” He inquired. She answered, “Declare that in Your kingdom one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right hand, and the other at Your left.”
Read in context