1 Kings 3:9-11

3:9 So give your servant a discerning mind 1  so he can make judicial decisions for 2  your people and distinguish right from wrong. 3  Otherwise 4  no one is able 5  to make judicial decisions for 6  this great nation of yours.” 7  3:10 The Lord 8  was pleased that Solomon made this request. 9  3:11 God said to him, “Because you asked for the ability to make wise judicial decisions, and not for long life, or riches, or vengeance on your enemies, 10 

1 tn Heb “a hearing heart.” (The Hebrew term translated “heart” often refers to the mental faculties.)

2 tn Heb “to judge.”

3 tn Heb “to understand between good and evil.”

4 tn Heb “for”; the word “otherwise” is used to reflect the logical sense of the statement.

5 tn Heb “who is able?” The rhetorical question anticipates the answer, “no one.”

6 tn Heb “to judge.”

7 tn Heb “your numerous people.”

8 tn The Hebrew term translated “Lord” here and in v.15 is אֲדֹנָי (’adonay).

9 tn Heb “And the thing was good in the eyes of the Lord, for Solomon asked for this thing.”

10 tn Heb “because you asked for this thing, and did not ask for yourself many days and did not ask for yourself riches and did not ask for the life of your enemies, but you asked for yourself understanding to hear judgment.”