1 Kings 3:9
7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11 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;
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- 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?”
- KJV
- Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
- WEB
- Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this great people of yours?”
- ASV
- Give thy servant therefore an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this thy great people?
- DARBY
- Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people, to discern between good and bad; for who is able to judge this thy numerous people?
- BLB
- And give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
- ÅB
- Så gi da din tjener et hørsomt hjerte til å dømme ditt folk, til å skille mellom godt og ondt! For hvem kunne ellers dømme dette ditt folk som er så tallrikt?
- OTB
- Derfor, gi din tjener et forstandig hjerte til å styre ditt folk, for å skille mellom godt og ondt. For hvem er i stand til å styre dette ditt store folk?"
- B1930
- Så gi da din tjener et hørsomt hjerte til å dømme ditt folk, til å skille mellem godt og ondt! For hvem kunde ellers dømme dette ditt folk som er så tallrikt?
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Read in contextHebrews 5:14
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Read in contextProverbs 16:16
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Read in contextJohn 5:30
I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
Read in contextProverbs 2:3–9
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
Read in context2 Samuel 14:17
Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.
Read in contextProverbs 3:13–18
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Read in contextIsaiah 11:2–4
And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
Read in context