(A)Therefore give to Your servant an [a]understanding heart (B)to judge Your people, that I may (C)discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 3:9 Lit. hearing

So give your servant a discerning mind[a] so he can make judicial decisions for[b] your people and distinguish right from wrong.[c] Otherwise[d] no one is able[e] to make judicial decisions for[f] this great nation of yours.”[g]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 3:9 tn Heb “a hearing heart.” (The Hebrew term translated “heart” often refers to the mental faculties.)
  2. 1 Kings 3:9 tn Heb “to judge.”
  3. 1 Kings 3:9 tn Heb “to understand between good and evil.”
  4. 1 Kings 3:9 tn Heb “for”; the word “otherwise” is used to reflect the logical sense of the statement.
  5. 1 Kings 3:9 tn Heb “who is able?” The rhetorical question anticipates the answer, “no one.”
  6. 1 Kings 3:9 tn Heb “to judge.”
  7. 1 Kings 3:9 tn Heb “your numerous people.”

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?”

Read full chapter