1 Kings 3:9
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 in other translations
| BSB | Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” |
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| WEB | Give your servant therefore 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?” |
| ASV | Give thy servant therefore an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this thy great people? |
| YLT | and Thou hast given to Thy servant an understanding heart, to judge Thy people, to discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this Thy great people?' |
| DARBY | Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people, to discern between good and bad; for who is able to judge this thy numerous people? |
| BBE | Give your servant, then, a wise heart for judging your people, able to see what is good and what evil; for who is able to be the judge of this great people? |
| Webster | Give therefore to 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? |
What does 1 Kings 3:9 mean?
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Kings 3:5-15
Solomon's dream was not a common one. While his bodily powers were locked up in sleep, the powers of his soul were strengthened; he was enabled to receive the Divine vision, and to make a suitable choice. God, in like manner, puts us in the ready way to be happy, by assuring us we shall have what we need, and pray for. Solomon's making such a choice when asleep, and the powers of reason least active, showed it came…
1 Kings 3:9 in the original Hebrew
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for 1 Kings 3:9
- James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
- Hebrews 5:14
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
- Proverbs 16:16
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
- John 5:30
I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
- Proverbs 2:3-9
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. …
- 2 Samuel 14:17
Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the Lord thy God will be with thee.
- Proverbs 3:13-18
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. …
- Isaiah 11:2-4
And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
- 1 Chronicles 22:12
Only the Lord give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the Lord thy God.
- Psalms 72:1-2
A Psalm for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son. He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
- Psalms 119:144
The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
- 1 Corinthians 2:14-15
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ch 22:12; 29:19; 2Ch 1:10; Ps 119:34,73,144; Pr 2:3-9; 3:13-18
Pr 16:16; Jas 1:5; 3:17
understanding. Heb. hearing.
Pr 20:12
to judge.
28; Ps 72:1,2; Pr 14:8; Ec 7:11,19; 9:15-18; Joh 5:30
discern.
2Sa 14:17; Isa 11:2-4; 1Co 2:14,15; Eph 5:17; Php 1:10; *Gr:
Heb 5:14
who is able.
Ex 3:11,12; 4:10-13; Jer 1:6; Mt 3:11,14; 2Co 2:16; 3:5
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- 1 Kings 3:8
And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
- 1 Kings 3:9
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 3:10
And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
1 Kings 3:9 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Da pues á tu siervo corazón dócil para juzgar á tu pueblo, para discernir entre lo bueno y lo malo: porque ¿quién podrá gobernar este tu pueblo tan grande? |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Donne donc à ton serviteur un cœur qui écoute, pour juger ton peuple, pour discerner entre le bien et le mal; car qui est capable de juger ton si grand peuple? |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | So gib denn deinem Knechte ein verständiges Herz, um dein Volk zu richten, zu unterscheiden zwischen Gutem und Bösem; denn wer vermöchte dieses dein zahlreiches Volk zu richten? - |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Dabis ergo servo tuo cor docile, ut populum tuum judicare possit, et discernere inter bonum et malum. Quis enim poterit judicare populum istum, populum tuum hunc multum? |