1 Kings 3:8

8 1And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, 2too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.

1 Kings 3:8 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 3:8

And thy servant [is] in the midst of thy people which thou hast
chosen
To be his special and peculiar people above all people on the earth; this is not to be understood locally, though Jerusalem, where his palace was, was in the middle of the land; but of the exercise of his office, he being placed over the people, and among them, and having the care and inspection of them:

a great people, that cannot be numbered and counted for multitude;
being for number as the stars in the sky, and as the sand upon the seashore, as had been promised.

1 Kings 3:8 In-Context

6 And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day.
7 And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.
8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.
9 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?"
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Deuteronomy 7:6
  • 2. Genesis 13:16; Genesis 15:5
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.