Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people,.... Not an understanding of things spiritual, nor of things natural, though both were given him, but of things political, what related to the civil government, that he might be able to judge or rule the people of Israel in the best manner:that I may discern between good and bad; not merely between moral good and evil, of which he had a discernment; but between right and wrong in any case or controversy that came before him between man and man, that so he might be able to pass a right sentence, and do justice to every one:for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
Bible Commentary
1 Kings 3:9
1 Kings 3:9
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain
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1 Kings 3 — Overview1 Kings 3 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleSolomon's reign looked bloody in the foregoing chapter, but the
necessary acts of justice must not be called cruelty; in this chapter
it appears with another face. We must not think the worse of God's
mercy to…1 Kings 3 — Overview1 Kings 3 · Treasury of Scripture Knowledge1 Kings 3:1, Solomon marries Pharaoh’s daughter; 1 Kings 3:2, High places being in use, Solomon sacrifices at Gibeon; 1 Kings 3:5, Solomon at Gibeon, in the choice which God gave him, preferring wisdom, obtains wisdom,…1 Kings 3 — Overview1 Kings 3 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis chapter relates the marriage of Solomon with Pharaoh's daughter, 1Ki 3:1; his piety and devotion, 1Ki 3:2; his prayer for wisdom and understanding, which was acceptable to God, who promised to grant his request,…1 Kings 3:1-151 Kings 3:1-15 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION
THE BEGINNING OF SOLOMON'S REIGN.—In the preceding chapter we have seen the establishment of Solomon's rule (verse 46) by the removal of internal foes, i.e; of disaffected and rebellious subjects. In this we…1 Kings 3:1-151 Kings 3:1-15 · The Pulpit CommentaryLet us see what preparation Solomon had for the dream spoken of here. Many a child says, "I wish God would come to me, and tell me I might ask for whatever I liked. I often say my prayers, but God does not seem real to…1 Kings 3:5-151 Kings 3:5-15 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleWe have here an account of a gracious visit which God paid to Solomon,
and the communion he had with God in it, which put a greater honour
upon Solomon than all the wealth and power of his kingdom did.
I. The…