1 Kings 3:9-12

3:9 So give your servant a discerning mind¹ so he can make judicial decisions for² your people and distinguish right from wrong.³ Otherwise⁴ no one is able⁵ to make judicial decisions for⁶ this great nation of yours.”⁷ 3:10 The Lord⁸ 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 3:12 I¹¹ grant your request,¹² and give¹³ you a wise and discerning mind¹⁴ superior to that of anyone who has preceded or will succeed you.¹⁵

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

²tn Heb “to judge.”

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

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

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

⁶tn Heb “to judge.”

⁷tn Heb “your numerous people.”

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

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

¹⁰tn 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.”

¹¹tn This statement is introduced in the Hebrew text by the particle הִנֵּה (hinneh, “look”) which draws attention to and emphasizes what follows.

¹²tn Heb “I am doing according to your words.” The perfect tense is sometimes used of actions occurring at the same time a statement is made.

¹³tn This statement is introduced by the particle הִנֵּה (hinneh, “look”) which draws attention to and emphasizes what follows. The translation assumes that the perfect tense here indicates that the action occurs as the statement is made (i.e., “right now I give you”).

¹⁴tn Heb “heart.” (The Hebrew term translated “heart” often refers to the mental faculties.)

¹⁵tn Heb “so that there has not been one like you prior to you, and after you one will not arise like you.”