1 Kings 3:9 akjv — Give therefore your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and bad: for w…

American King James Version

"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? "

— 1 Kings 3:9, American King James Version

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1 Kings 3:9 in Other Translations

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1 Kings 3 — Context

6

And Solomon said, You have showed to your servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before you in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you; and you have kept for him this great kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

7

And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

8

And your servant is in the middle of your people which you have chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

9

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?

10

And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing.

11

And God said to him, Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life; neither have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies; but have asked for yourself understanding to discern judgment;

12

Behold, I have done according to your words: see, I have given you a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like you before you, neither after you shall any arise like to you.

1 Kings 3:9 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Kings 3:9 say?
1 Kings 3:9 in the American King James Version reads: “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? ”
Where is 1 Kings 3:9 in the Bible?
1 Kings 3:9 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Kings, chapter 3, verse 9.
Who wrote 1 Kings?
1 Kings is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Jeremiah). It was written c. 561–538 BC.
What is the book of 1 Kings about?
1 Kings tells of Solomon's wisdom and the building of the temple, then the painful division of the kingdom after his death. The northern kingdom plunges into idolatry under a series of wicked kings until the prophet Elijah is raised up to call Israel back to the LORD.
What are the major themes of 1 Kings?
1 Kings explores themes including Wisdom, Temple, Divided Kingdom, Idolatry, Prophecy. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Kings 3:9.
What translation should I read 1 Kings 3:9 in?
1 Kings 3:9 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Kings 3:9?
1 Kings 3:9 reads (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? ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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