1 Kings 3:10 kjv
And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing.
1 Kings 3:10 nkjv
The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
1 Kings 3:10 niv
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.
1 Kings 3:10 esv
It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.
1 Kings 3:10 nlt
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom.
1 Kings 3 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 37:4 | Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires... | God grants desires aligned with Him. |
| 1 Jn 5:14-15 | if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. | Assurance for prayers in line with God's will. |
| Mt 6:33 | seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all... | Prioritizing God's kingdom brings blessings. |
| Prov 3:13 | Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who obtains... | Wisdom brings blessings and delight. |
| Prov 8:11 | For wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire... | Wisdom's superior value over worldly wealth. |
| Jas 4:3 | You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend... | Contrast: Unanswered prayers due to wrong motives. |
| 2 Chron 1:11 | Because you have asked this and have not asked for riches... | Parallel account of Solomon's request. |
| 1 Chron 28:9 | if you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake... | God responds to genuine seeking. |
| Josh 24:15 | choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... | The importance of making righteous choices. |
| Jer 29:13 | You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your... | God responds to wholehearted seeking. |
| Ps 19:7 | The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul... | God's Word brings wisdom and righteousness. |
| Dt 17:18-20 | the king... shall write for himself a copy of this law... | Instruction for a king to prioritize God's law for righteous rule. |
| Jn 15:7 | If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever... | Prayer connected to abiding in Christ. |
| Lk 12:31 | Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to... | Similar to Matt 6:33, prioritizing God's kingdom. |
| Ps 40:8 | I delight to do Your will, O my God... | Delight in aligning one's will with God's. |
| Phil 2:3-4 | Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility... | Paul's exhortation for selflessness. |
| 1 Cor 1:30 | Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God... | Christ is the embodiment of divine wisdom. |
| Is 11:2 | And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of... | Prophecy of Christ filled with wisdom. |
| Ps 119:34 | Give me understanding, that I may keep your law... | A prayer for understanding to follow God's commands. |
| Eph 1:17 | That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may... | A prayer for wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God. |
| Rom 12:2 | be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing... | Discernment of God's will requires renewed mind. |
| Col 1:9 | we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled | Prayer for spiritual wisdom and understanding. |
| Dan 2:20-21 | Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever... | God gives wisdom and changes times, reflecting divine sovereignty. |
1 Kings 3 verses
1 Kings 3 10 Meaning
1 Kings 3:10 indicates that Solomon’s specific request for an understanding heart to govern God’s people, rather than personal gain, was profoundly pleasing to the Lord. This divine approval highlights God's delight in sincere, selfless desires that align with His divine purposes and the welfare of His covenant people.
1 Kings 3 10 Context
1 Kings 3:10 occurs immediately after Solomon’s dream encounter with God at Gibeon. God appeared to Solomon and invited him to ask for whatever he desired. Rather than requesting typical kingly benefits like long life, riches, or victory over enemies, Solomon acknowledged his youth and inexperience ("I am but a young man and do not know how to go out or come in") and specifically asked for an "understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil" (v. 9). This demonstrates his recognition of the immense responsibility of governing God's chosen nation and his reliance on divine wisdom rather than human might. His humble, selfless request stands in stark contrast to the self-serving desires often seen in human leadership, past and present. The entire narrative establishes Solomon as a divinely appointed leader equipped by God for his kingly role, laying the foundation for his reign characterized by unprecedented wisdom and prosperity.
1 Kings 3 10 Word analysis
- The request: (Hebrew: הַדָּבָר, ha-davar) – Literally "the word" or "the thing/matter." In this context, it refers to the specific content of Solomon’s prayer as stated in the preceding verses. It's not merely a casual utterance but a significant "thing" or "matter" presented before the Lord.
- pleased: (Hebrew: וַיִּיטַב, vayyitav from יטב, yatav) – Means "it was good," "it was pleasing," "it was right in the eyes of." This denotes strong divine approval, delight, and satisfaction. It suggests that Solomon's request aligned perfectly with God's own character and will, producing a favorable response from Him. This term is also used elsewhere in Scripture to describe things that are 'good' in God's eyes, like walking righteously.
- the Lord, (Hebrew: יְהוָה, YHWH) – The personal, covenant name of God. This indicates that it was the specific God of Israel, the God who had established a covenant with Abraham and David, who was pleased. This isn't just a generic deity but the active, relational God who intervenes and responds to His people.
- because: (Hebrew: כִּי, ki) – A conjunction introducing the reason or cause. It clearly establishes a causal link between Solomon’s specific request and God’s delight.
- Solomon: – The son and successor of King David. His personal character and spiritual disposition at this point are key to understanding God’s favorable response.
- had asked: (Hebrew: שָׁאַל שְׁאֵלָה, sha'al she'elah) – A cognate accusative construction, emphasizing the act of asking, making it very strong, akin to "he truly asked a request." It highlights the deliberate nature and sincerity of Solomon’s specific petition.
- this thing: (Hebrew: אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה, et-ha-davar hazzeh) – Referring directly back to the content of his prayer: "an understanding heart to judge Your people." This reiterates that the nature of the request was the critical factor in God's pleasure.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "The request pleased the Lord,": This phrase emphasizes God’s subjective and positive response to Solomon’s prayer. It shows that God is not indifferent to the desires of His people, especially those in leadership roles who genuinely seek His glory and the good of His flock. God's "pleasure" here signals His affirmation and intention to act.
- "because Solomon had asked this thing.": This segment clarifies the reason for God's delight. It wasn't arbitrary favor, but a direct consequence of the content and intention behind Solomon's request. It underlines a foundational biblical principle: God rewards and responds favorably to prayers that prioritize His kingdom, His people, and wisdom for His purposes over selfish or material ambitions. It's a statement on the divine economy of prayer and blessing.
1 Kings 3 10 Bonus section
The scene at Gibeon where God appeared to Solomon in a dream offering him anything he desired is remarkable. It highlights God's initiative in approaching Solomon and inviting him to choose. This wasn't a desperate cry from Solomon but a direct, open invitation from the sovereign Lord, emphasizing His desire for humanity to participate in His plan by choosing what is good and right. Solomon's response in verse 9, where he confessed his limitations ("I am but a young man..."), perfectly sets the stage for God's delight in verse 10, demonstrating true humility before divine power and responsibility. This narrative served as an instructive account for future Israelite kings, showing what kind of leadership and requests found favor in the eyes of the covenant Lord.
1 Kings 3 10 Commentary
1 Kings 3:10 marks a pivotal moment in Solomon’s reign, establishing the divine basis for his wisdom and subsequent prosperity. God’s delight stemmed from the selfless nature of Solomon’s request: he prioritized the welfare of God's people and the execution of righteous judgment above all personal desires like wealth, fame, or long life, which pagan kings often sought. This demonstrated a heart aligned with God's own purposes for Israel – to be a righteous kingdom governed by justice. The verse shows God's profound appreciation for humility, discernment, and a servant's heart in leadership. This divinely approved choice paved the way for Solomon to receive not only the wisdom he sought but also unrequested riches and honor, fulfilling the principle that seeking God’s kingdom first yields all other necessities.