1 Kings 3:11-14

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,¹ 3:12 I² grant your request,³ and give⁴ you a wise and discerning mind⁵ superior to that of anyone who has preceded or will succeed you.⁶ 3:13 Furthermore, I am giving⁷ you what you did not request – riches and honor so that you will be the greatest king of your generation.⁸ 3:14 If you follow my instructions⁹ by obeying¹⁰ my rules and regulations, just as your father David did,¹¹ then I will grant you long life.”¹²

¹tn 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.”

²tn This statement is introduced in the Hebrew text by the particle הִנֵּה (hinneh, “look”) which draws attention to and emphasizes what follows.

³tn 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.

⁴tn 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”).

⁵tn Heb “heart.” (The Hebrew term translated “heart” often refers to the mental faculties.)

⁶tn Heb “so that there has not been one like you prior to you, and after you one will not arise like you.”

⁷tn The translation assumes that the perfect tense here indicates that the action occurs as the statement is made.

⁸tn Heb “so that there is not one among the kings like you all your days.” The LXX lacks the words “all your days.”

⁹tn Heb “walk in my ways.”

¹⁰tn Or “keeping.”

¹¹tn Heb “walked.”

¹²tn Heb “I will lengthen your days.”