Bible Strands
1 Kings 3:7
And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Solomon addresses the LORD immediately after succeeding David as king. He speaks at the moment of his coronation, stating his factual condition as a young ruler who does not yet know how to lead the people.
The words — The text highlights תַּחַת (Ta.chat), meaning "in place of," and הִמְלַ֣כְתָּ (him.Lakh.ta), meaning "you have made king." These terms frame the succession as a direct divine appointment rather than a personal ambition.
The thread — The motif of youthful inadequacy in leadership appears in 1 Chronicles 29:1 and Jeremiah 1:6, both noting a young person’s lack of experience. The phrase "go out and come in" for guidance is echoed in Numbers 27:17 regarding Joshua’s succession.
Why it lands — The text states Solomon’s factual condition as a young king lacking administrative experience before requesting divine guidance. It requires a reader to acknowledge human limitation as the necessary starting point for seeking authority and wisdom.
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
King James Version
And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
Cross-references
- Numbers 27:17 who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
- 1 Chronicles 29:1 Then King David said to the whole assembly, “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great because this palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.
- Jeremiah 1:6 “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!”
- Matthew 18:3 “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
- 1 Samuel 18:16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he was leading them out to battle and back.
- 2 Samuel 5:2 Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”
- Job 32:6 So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: “I am young in years, while you are old; that is why I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know.
- Psalms 121:8 The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.
- Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.
- Daniel 2:21 He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.