1 Kings 3:9 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?
1 Kings 3:9 nkjv
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?"
1 Kings 3:9 niv
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?"
1 Kings 3:9 esv
Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"
1 Kings 3:9 nlt
Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?"
1 Kings 3 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 17:18-20 | "When he sits on the throne... he shall write... a copy of this law... to learn to fear the LORD..." | Kings must rule by God's law, fearing Him. |
| Deut 4:6 | "Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom... in the sight of the peoples..." | Obedience to God's law brings wisdom to the nations. |
| 2 Sam 7:12-16 | "I will establish his kingdom... My steadfast love will not depart from him..." | God's covenant with David, establishing Solomon's rule. |
| Ps 2:10-12 | "Now therefore, O kings, be wise... Serve the LORD with fear..." | Kings called to humble wisdom before God. |
| Ps 72:1-4 | "Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! May he judge your people with righteousness..." | Prayer for a king to rule with justice and righteousness. |
| Prov 2:1-6 | "If you call out for insight... then you will understand the fear of the LORD... For the LORD gives wisdom..." | Wisdom comes from seeking God and His fear. |
| Prov 8:15-16 | "By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice... by me princes rule..." | Wisdom is the basis for righteous rule. |
| Prov 10:14 | "The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near." | Emphasizes the value of seeking and storing wisdom. |
| Eccl 7:12 | "For wisdom is a protection as money is a protection, but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it." | Wisdom's protective and life-preserving quality. |
| Is 11:1-4 | "The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him... a Spirit of wisdom and understanding..." | Prophecy of a Messiah filled with divine wisdom and justice. |
| Jer 23:5 | "I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely..." | Prophecy of a future righteous king (Messiah) who rules wisely. |
| Mic 6:8 | "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" | Connects wisdom to justice and humble obedience. |
| Matt 6:33 | "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." | Prioritizing God's will over worldly gain. |
| Lk 11:28 | "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" | Emphasizes "hearing" and obedience. |
| Rom 12:2 | "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God..." | Discerning God's will in the New Covenant. |
| 1 Cor 1:30 | "And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God..." | Christ as the ultimate source and embodiment of wisdom. |
| Eph 1:17-18 | "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ... may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him..." | Prayer for spiritual wisdom and understanding for believers. |
| Jas 1:5 | "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach..." | Direct encouragement to ask God for wisdom. |
| Jas 3:13, 17 | "Who is wise and understanding among you?... the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason..." | Defines true, heavenly wisdom that is good for governing. |
| Heb 4:12 | "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit... discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." | God's word's power to discern good from evil. |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace..." | Emphasizes stewardship and service, even in leadership. |
1 Kings 3 verses
1 Kings 3 9 Meaning
1 Kings 3:9 presents King Solomon's humble prayer to the Lord following a divine offer. He does not request wealth, honor, or long life, but rather a discerning and obedient heart to justly rule God's people. This "hearing heart" signifies a deep spiritual receptivity to God's will, enabling him to distinguish between right and wrong, and thus administer righteous judgment. It underscores a king's ultimate dependency on divine wisdom to shepherd the nation that truly belongs to God.
1 Kings 3 9 Context
1 Kings Chapter 3 opens with Solomon establishing his kingdom, but also records his initial error in marrying Pharaoh's daughter (1 Kgs 3:1). Despite this, Solomon is depicted as having a deep love for the Lord and walking in the statutes of David his father (1 Kgs 3:3), albeit worshiping at high places. The pivotal moment arrives at Gibeon, where the Lord appears to Solomon in a dream and invites him to ask for anything he desires (1 Kgs 3:5). Solomon responds with a prayer that reflects humility, acknowledgment of God's faithfulness to David, and a profound sense of inadequacy for the monumental task of governing Israel. Verse 9 is the culmination of this prayer, directly stating his request for the specific wisdom required to lead "this great people." Historically and culturally, kings in the ancient Near East typically requested military prowess, wealth, or long life for themselves. Solomon's request for wisdom to govern God's people sets him apart, emphasizing his role as God's vice-regent rather than an absolute monarch. This direct request for an internal spiritual capacity to "hear" and "discern" is a polemic against rulers who relied on brute force or self-derived cunning for their power.
1 Kings 3 9 Word analysis
- "Give" (natan): The Hebrew verb natan signifies "to grant, bestow, give." It highlights the divine source of the desired quality; this wisdom is not self-attained but a gracious gift from God. This immediately sets a precedent for humble dependence.
- "therefore" (laḵēn): This conjunction logically connects Solomon's previous statements (his youth, the greatness of his task) to his subsequent request. It implies a conclusion drawn from his acknowledged limitations and the immense responsibility.
- "Your servant" (‘abdekā): This phrase emphasizes humility and subordination to God. Despite being king, Solomon sees himself primarily as a bondservant of the Lord, entrusted with the care of God's people. This contrasts sharply with the self-exalting titles often taken by ancient Near Eastern monarchs.
- "an understanding heart" (lēḇ šōmē‘a‘): This is a critical phrase. Lēḇ (heart) in Hebrew refers not just to emotions, but to the center of intellect, will, and moral decision-making. Šōmē‘a‘ is the present participle of the verb "to hear" (or obey). Therefore, it literally means "a hearing heart" or "an obedient heart." It's not merely intellectual knowledge but a spiritual receptivity to God's voice, enabling obedient discernment and right action. It suggests attentiveness, obedience, and moral insight.
- "to judge Your people" (lišpōṭ ’eṯ ‘amməḵā): This states the immediate purpose of the understanding heart. Shaphat ("to judge") encompasses not only judicial decisions but also governing, administrating justice, defending the weak, and setting things right. It refers to the overall function of righteous rule.
- "that I may discern" (lehaḇîn): This verb means "to understand, distinguish, perceive, discern." It elaborates on what the "hearing heart" enables—the ability to tell differences, especially moral and ethical ones, for the purpose of justice.
- "between good and evil" (bên ṭôḇ wā·rā‘): This refers to the fundamental moral and ethical distinctions crucial for a ruler. It echoes the concept from Gen 2:9 (Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil), implying the profound moral responsibility to make righteous decisions aligned with God's standard.
- "for who is able to govern" (kî mî yûḵal lišpōṭ): This is a rhetorical question, emphasizing the immense, overwhelming nature of the task. It implies that no human, on their own, possesses the innate capacity to truly govern such a people righteously without divine aid.
- "this great people of Yours" (’eṯ-hâ‘am hāzzê haggādôl): The double emphasis on "great" and "of Yours" (meaning God's) is significant. It acknowledges the sheer size of the Israelite population, but more importantly, it underscores that they are God's chosen nation, a covenant people, under God's ultimate ownership and care. Solomon is a steward, not an absolute owner.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "Give therefore Your servant an understanding heart": This phrase encapsulates Solomon's specific petition for an internal, divine gift. It highlights his self-perception as a subordinate servant, not an autonomous ruler, dependent entirely on God's provision for righteous leadership. The "understanding heart" defines the quality he needs, emphasizing inner spiritual capacity over outward power or intellect.
- "to judge Your people... that I may discern between good and evil": This section articulates the practical application and scope of the requested wisdom. The ability to "judge" and "discern" is directly linked to his responsibilities towards "Your people"—a clear recognition that his rule is for God's glory and the welfare of God's covenant nation, guided by moral clarity.
- "for who is able to govern this great people of Yours": This rhetorical question functions as Solomon's ultimate rationale, expressing his humility and deep sense of inadequacy. It acknowledges the overwhelming nature of leading a nation divinely owned and therefore requiring divine empowerment. It implicitly trusts in God to supply what is humanly impossible.
1 Kings 3 9 Bonus section
The profound significance of 1 Kings 3:9 lies in its presentation of what God values in leadership: not earthly power or prosperity for the leader's own sake, but rather the selfless desire for discernment and justice on behalf of God's people. This prayer, distinct from typical kingly petitions for personal gain, establishes a model of servant leadership rooted in spiritual dependence. It prefigures the qualities of the ideal Davidic King, the Messiah, who would perfectly rule with righteousness and wisdom. It also serves as a perpetual reminder that those in positions of authority, whether spiritual or temporal, require a constant "hearing heart" and discernment from God to fulfill their God-given roles faithfully, recognizing that the people they lead ultimately belong to God. Solomon's prayer models the pursuit of what honors God over personal desires.
1 Kings 3 9 Commentary
Solomon's request in 1 Kings 3:9 is pivotal, setting the tone for his reign and revealing the core of true leadership in God's eyes. His specific petition for "a hearing heart" (lev shomea') is not for mere intellectual acumen but for an obedient, morally perceptive capacity to receive and act upon divine instruction. This differentiates him from typical ancient monarchs who sought power, wealth, or military might. Solomon understood that his role was to steward God's own people, necessitating a direct pipeline to divine wisdom for righteous governance. This prayer embodies a profound humility: he recognized his human inadequacy to discern "between good and evil" for a "great people" belonging to God. The phrase "between good and evil" elevates his judicial role beyond mere legal rulings to fundamental moral discernment, essential for upholding justice and the covenant relationship. This moment illustrates that true success in God's work is founded not on personal strength or ambition, but on dependent trust in divine guidance and a willingness to obey. This humble beginning contrasted sharply with his later choices, showing that even with God-given wisdom, continuous surrender and "hearing" are vital.