1 Kings 3:11

So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice—

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — God addresses Solomon immediately after Solomon prays for wisdom to govern Israel. This occurs at Gibeon during Solomon’s early reign as king.

The words — The Hebrew יַעַן (ya.'An) translates to "because," linking God’s response directly to Solomon’s specific petition. The phrase שָׁאַלְתָּ אֶת־הַדָּבָר (sha.'Al.ta 'et-ha./da.Var) literally reads "you asked the thing," emphasizing the singular focus of his request.

The thread — This exchange fulfills Solomon’s prior petition in 1 Kings 3:9, while contrasting his selfless request with the covetous desires condemned in James 4:2.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to examine whether their own petitions prioritize divine justice over personal security or gain. It demands a direct assessment of what one values when making requests to God.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וַיֹּ֨אמֶרva/i.Yo.merand/ he said אֱלֹהִ֜ים'E.lo.HimGod אֵלָ֗יו'e.La/vto/ him יַעַן֩ya.'Anbecause אֲשֶׁ֨ר'a.Sherthat שָׁאַ֜לְתָּsha.'Al.tayou asked אֶת־'et-<obj.>הַדָּבָ֣רha./da.Varthe/ thing הַזֶּ֗הha./Zeh<the>/ this וְלֹֽא־ve./lo'-and/ not שָׁאַ֨לְתָּsha.'Al.tayou askedלְּךָ֜le./Khafor/ yourselfיָמִ֣יםya.Mimdays רַבִּ֗יםra.Bimmany וְלֹֽא־ve./lo'-and/ not שָׁאַ֤לְתָּsha.'Al.tayou askedלְּךָ֙le./Khafor/ yourselfעֹ֔שֶׁר'O.sherwealth וְלֹ֥אve./Lo'and/ not שָׁאַ֖לְתָּsha.'Al.tayou asked נֶ֣פֶשׁNe.fesh[the] life of אֹיְבֶ֑יךָ'o.ye.Vei./khaenemies/ your וְשָׁאַ֧לְתָּve./sha.'Al.taand/ you askedלְּךָ֛le./Khafor/ yourselfהָבִ֖יןha.Vinto understand לִשְׁמֹ֥עַli/sh.Mo.a'to/ hear מִשְׁפָּֽט׃mish.Patjudgment

King James Version

And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;

Cross-references

1 Kings 3:9 Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
James 4:2 You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.
Proverbs 16:31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.
Psalms 4:6 Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD.
Matthew 20:21 “What do you want?” He inquired. She answered, “Declare that in Your kingdom one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right hand, and the other at Your left.”