1 Kings 3:8-13

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.

9 ³Give your servant therefore an understanding mind ⁴to govern your people, that I may ⁵discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.

11 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,

12 behold, ⁶I now do according to your word. Behold, ⁷I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.

13 ⁸I give you also what you have not asked, ⁹both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.

1 Kings 3:8-13 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. Deuteronomy 7:6
• 2. Genesis 13:16; Genesis 15:5
• 3. [Proverbs 2:6, 9; James 1:5]
• 4. Psalms 72:1, 2
• 5. [2 Samuel 14:17; Isaiah 7:15; Hebrews 5:14]
• 6. [1 John 5:14, 15]
• 7. 1 Kings 4:29-31; 1 Kings 5:12; 1 Kings 10:23, 24; Ecclesiastes 1:16
• 8. [Matthew 6:33]
• 9. 1 Kings 4:21-24; 1 Kings 10:23, 27; [Proverbs 3:16]