1 Kings 3:11 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;
1 Kings 3:11 nkjv
Then God said to him: "Because you have asked this thing, and have not 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,
1 Kings 3:11 niv
So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice,
1 Kings 3:11 esv
And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,
1 Kings 3:11 nlt
So God replied, "Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies ?
1 Kings 3 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 3:5 | At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night... ask what I shall give you. | God offers a blank request to Solomon. |
| 1 Ki 3:9 | Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people... | Solomon's specific request for discernment. |
| 1 Ki 3:12 | behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind... | God grants Solomon's specific request. |
| 1 Ki 3:13 | I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor... | God gives abundantly beyond the specific ask. |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously... | God gives wisdom freely when asked rightly. |
| Matt 6:33 | But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things... | Prioritizing God's will leads to provision. |
| Prov 2:6 | For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; | Wisdom's source is God alone. |
| Prov 8:15 | By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just. | Rulers govern effectively through divine wisdom. |
| Ps 72:1-2 | Give the king your justice, O God... May he judge your people with righteousness... | Prayer for righteous judgment in kings. |
| Deut 1:16-17 | Hear the cases between your brothers... and judge righteously... | Commandment for just judges in Israel. |
| 1 Jn 5:14-15 | if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. | Asking according to God's will ensures hearing. |
| Lk 12:15 | Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness... | Warning against worldly desires like riches. |
| Matt 4:8-9 | Again, the devil took him... showed him all the kingdoms... All these I will give you... | Temptation to worldly power/riches rejected. |
| Phil 3:7-8 | But whatever gain I had, I count as loss for the sake of Christ... | Valuing Christ above worldly gain/honor. |
| Prov 22:4 | The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. | Humility as a path to true blessings. |
| 1 Pet 5:6 | Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God... | Exhortation to humility before God. |
| Phil 2:3-4 | Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit... but in humility count others more significant... | Principle of selflessness for others' good. |
| Mk 10:45 | For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve... | The example of Christ's servant heart. |
| Eph 3:20 | Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask... | God's nature to give beyond expectations. |
| Isa 11:2-3 | And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him... Spirit of wisdom... | Prophecy of Messiah's Spirit of wisdom. |
| Col 2:3 | in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. | Christ as the embodiment of wisdom. |
| 2 Chron 1:11-12 | Solomon said to God, “You have granted great steadfast love to David... Now give me wisdom...” | Parallel account of Solomon's wise request. |
1 Kings 3 verses
1 Kings 3 11 Meaning
In 1 Kings 3:11, God responds favorably to King Solomon's request made in a dream. Solomon, rather than asking for the common kingly desires of a long life, great wealth, or victory over his enemies, selflessly sought discerning wisdom to govern God's people justly. This act of prioritizing divine understanding for righteous judgment over personal gain was highly pleasing to God.
1 Kings 3 11 Context
This verse occurs during the pivotal early reign of King Solomon, following his succession from his father, David. The immediate setting is Gibeon, where Solomon had offered a massive sacrifice of a thousand burnt offerings (1 Ki 3:4). In response to this devotion, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream (1 Ki 3:5), offering him an open invitation: "Ask what I shall give you." Solomon, recognizing the enormity of his task in leading "a great people, too many to be numbered or counted" (1 Ki 3:8), expressed his youth and inexperience. Rather than seeking typical kingly advantages, his prayer was profoundly humble and altruistic: "Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and bad" (1 Ki 3:9). Verse 11 is God's direct commendation and favorable response to this specific and wise request, contrasting it with what a human king might normally desire. Historically, this account highlights Solomon's initial devoutness and dependence on God for ruling justly, aligning with the Deuteronomic covenant expectations for Israel's king to uphold justice and righteousness, unlike the self-serving rulers of surrounding nations.
1 Kings 3 11 Word analysis
- And God said: (Hebrew:
וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים- vayyo'mer Elohim) The immediate and direct address from God Himself (Elohim signifies His power and majesty) indicates His clear approval and direct involvement. - to him, 'Because you have asked this thing: (Hebrew:
אֵלָיו כִּי שָׁאַלְתָּ אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה- elayv ki sha'alta et-haDavar hazzeh)sha'alta(שָׁאַלְתָּ) - "you have asked," denotes a specific, deliberate request made by Solomon.Davar(דָּבָר) - "thing" or "matter," signifying the specific content and nature of his petition, which pleased God.
- and have not asked for yourself long life: (Hebrew:
וְלֹא־שָׁאַלְתָּ לְךָ יָמִים רַבִּים- vəlo-sha'alta ləḵā yamim rabbim)yamim rabbim(יָמִים רַבִּים) - "many days," referring to extended life or a long reign. This was a common desire for rulers, symbolizing personal power and stability, but is contrasted here as secondary.
- or riches: (Hebrew:
וְלֹא־שָׁאַלְתָּ לְךָ עֹשֶׁר- vəlo-sha'alta ləḵā osher)osher(עֹשֶׁר) - "wealth" or "prosperity." Another typical kingly desire, representing security and personal gain, highlighted as being less valuable than true wisdom.
- or the life of your enemies, (Hebrew:
וְלֹא שָׁאַלְתָּ נֶפֶשׁ אֹיְבֶיךָ- vəlo sha'alta nefesh oybeyḵā)nefesh oyebeyka(נֶפֶשׁ אֹיְבֶיךָ) - literally "soul/life of your enemies," implying their destruction or triumph over them. Military dominance and retribution were standard royal concerns, yet Solomon passed over them for discernment.
- but have asked for yourself understanding: (Hebrew:
וַתִּשְׁאַל־לְךָ הָבֵן- vaTtish'al-ləḵā hāḇēn)hāḇēn(הָבֵן) - frombinah(בִּינָה), meaning "to discern," "to understand," or "to comprehend." It goes beyond mere intellect, signifying moral and practical insight crucial for making right judgments. This is the positive counterpoint to the negative exclusions.
- to discern justice: (Hebrew:
לִשְׁמֹעַ מִשְׁפָּט- lishmo'a mishpat)mishpat(מִשְׁפָּט) - "justice," "judgment," or "legal decision." The phrase implies the ability to hear and decide cases rightly, administer righteous decrees, and apply moral standards fairly to govern the people of God.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies": This section employs a powerful rhetorical contrast, highlighting the distinctiveness and selflessness of Solomon's request. It deliberately lists common, often self-centered, desires of earthly rulers—personal longevity, accumulated wealth, and absolute power over adversaries—and emphasizes that Solomon chose none of these. This negative space magnifies the profundity and value of his actual request in God's eyes, indicating a heart not focused on typical worldly success.
- "but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice": This clause directly presents what Solomon did ask for, setting it in stark contrast to the preceding rejections. The request for
binah(understanding/discernment) specificallylishmo'a mishpat(to hear/discern justice) reveals a deep concern for his God-given responsibilities as king. His desire was not for personal intellectual growth per se, but for the practical wisdom needed to govern justly and ethically, thereby serving God's people righteously. This combination signifies wisdom as an instrument for divine purpose, particularly in upholding the covenant and establishing a just society.
1 Kings 3 11 Bonus section
The "understanding heart" that Solomon prayed for (and is implicitly confirmed here) goes beyond mere intellectual knowledge; it signifies an ethical and moral capacity to distinguish right from wrong, truth from falsehood, and to apply that understanding in practical, righteous judgment. This discernment is not for personal spiritual enlightenment only, but critically for public service and justice within the community. Solomon's act functions as a polemic against the prevalent self-serving kings and capricious deities of ancient Near Eastern religions, showcasing the unique covenant relationship between the God of Israel and His chosen leader, one built on justice and the well-being of the people. This account sets a divine precedent for all who seek to lead, teach, or serve: true effectiveness comes from God-given wisdom sought with humble, selfless intent for the glory of God and the good of His people.
1 Kings 3 11 Commentary
1 Kings 3:11 profoundly illustrates God's favor for priorities aligned with His character and purposes. Solomon's choice to ask for discernment to judge His people, rather than personal power, wealth, or safety, deeply pleased God. This choice stemmed from a genuine recognition of his own inadequacy and the monumental responsibility of ruling Israel justly according to divine law. God’s affirmation signals that seeking wisdom for the benefit of others and for righteous governance is a prayer that aligns with His heart and will be abundantly rewarded, often with blessings far exceeding the initial request, as shown in the subsequent verses where God grants him not only wisdom but also riches and honor (1 Ki 3:13). It highlights a divine principle: selfless ambition for kingdom purposes finds generous favor with God.
Examples:
- A student asking God for understanding in their studies to serve humanity, rather than just for high grades for personal recognition.
- A business owner praying for wisdom to lead their company ethically and care for their employees, prioritizing people over maximum profit.
- A congregational leader seeking spiritual discernment to shepherd the flock according to biblical truth, instead of aiming for larger numbers or personal popularity.