1 Kings 3:6-9

Solomon's Prayer

6 Then Solomon said, "¹You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, ²according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and ³You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

7 "Now, O LORD my God, ⁴You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet ⁵I am but a little child; ⁶I do not know how to go out or come in.

8 "⁷Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, ⁸a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted.

9 "So ⁹give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people ¹⁰to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"

1 Kings 3:6-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 3

This chapter relates the marriage of Solomon with Pharaoh's daughter, 1Ki 3:1; his piety and devotion, 1Ki 3:2-4; his prayer for wisdom and understanding, which was acceptable to God, who promised to grant his request, with an addition to it, 1Ki 3:5-15; an instance and proof of the wisdom given him in determining a case between two harlots brought before him, which greatly raised his reputation, and gave him reverence among his people, 1Ki 3:16-28.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Samuel 7:8-17; 2 Chronicles 1:8
• 2. 1 Kings 9:4
• 3. 1 Kings 1:48
• 4. 1 Chronicles 22:9-13
• 5. 1 Chronicles 29:1; Jeremiah 1:6, 7
• 6. Numbers 27:17
• 7. Exodus 19:6; Deuteronomy 7:6
• 8. Genesis 15:5; Genesis 22:17
• 9. 2 Chronicles 1:10; Psalms 72:1, 2; Proverbs 2:3-9; James 1:5
• 10. 2 Samuel 14:17; Hebrews 5:14

Footnotes

• [a] Or "faithfulness"
• [b] Lit "kept"
• [c] Lit "a hearing"
• [d] Lit "heavy"