1-kings 3:9
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Give therefore your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this your so great a people?
American King James Version (AKJV)
Give therefore your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this your so great a people?
American Standard Version (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?
Basic English Translation (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's Revision
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?
World English Bible
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 your great people?"
English Revised Version (ERV)
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?
Definitions for 1-kings 3:9
Clarke's 1-kings 3:9 Bible Commentary
Give - an understanding heart to judge thy people - He did not ask wisdom in general, but the true science of government. This wisdom he sought, and this wisdom he obtained.
Barnes's 1-kings 3:9 Bible Commentary
One of the chief functions of the Oriental monarch is always to hear and decide causes. Hence, supreme magistrates were naturally called "judges." (See the introduction to the Book of Judges.) In the minds of the Jews the "judge" and the "prince" were always closely associated, the direct cognisance of causes being constantly taken by their chief civil governors. (See Exodus 2:14; Exodus 18:16, Exodus 18:22; 1 Samuel 8:20; 2 Samuel 15:2-6.)
Good and bad - i. e. "right and wrong," "justice and injustice."
Wesley's 1-kings 3:9 Bible Commentary
3:9 An understanding heart - Whereby I may both clearly discern, and faithfully perform all the parts of my duty: for both these are spoken ofin scripture, as the effects of a good understanding; and he that lives inthe neglect of his duties, or the practice of wickedness, is called afool, and one void of understanding. Discern - Namely in causesand controversies among my people; that I may not through mistake, orprejudice, or passion, give wrong sentences, and call evil good, orgood evil. Absalom, that was a fool, wished himself a judge:Solomon, that was a wise man, trembles at the undertaking. The moreknowing and considerate men are, the more jealous they are of themselves.
