1 Kings 3:9 - Forerunner Commentary

1 Kings 3:9

7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a ^alittle child; I do not know how ^bto go out or come in.

8 And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You ^ahave chosen, a great people, too ^bnumerous to be numbered or counted.

9 ^aTherefore give to Your servant an¹ understanding heart ^bto judge Your people, that I may ^cdiscern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

10 The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

11 Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have ^anot asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice,

12 ^abehold, I have done according to your words; ^bsee, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.

13 And I have also ^agiven you what you have not asked: both ^briches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.

14 So ^aif you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, ^bas your father David walked, then I will ^clengthen your days.”

Verse Comparison: 1 Kings 3:9

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American Standard Version
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?

Amplified® Bible
So give Your servant an understanding mind {and} a hearing heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and bad. For who is able to judge {and} rule this Your great people?

Contemporary English Version
Please make me wise and teach me the difference between right and wrong. Then I will know how to rule your people. If you don't, there is no way I could rule this great nation of yours.

Darby English Version
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?

Good News Bible
So give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?"

King James Version
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?

New American Standard Bible
"So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"

New International Version
So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

New King James Version
Therefore 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?"

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
"So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who has the capability to judge this great people of Yours?"

Revised Standard Version
Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this thy great people?"

Young's Literal Translation
and Thou hast given to Thy servant an understanding heart, to judge Thy people, to discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this Thy great people?'

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