2 Chronicles 1:8-12

1:8 Solomon replied to God, “You demonstrated ¹  great loyalty to my father David and have made me king in his place. 1:9 Now, Lord God, may your promise ²  to my father David be realized, ³  for you have made me king over a great nation as numerous as the dust of the earth. 1:10 Now give me wisdom and discernment so ⁴  I can effectively lead this nation. ⁵  Otherwise ⁶  no one is able ⁷  to make judicial decisions for ⁸  this great nation of yours.” ⁹ 

1:11 God said to Solomon, “Because you desire this, ¹⁰  and did not ask for riches, wealth, and honor, or for vengeance on your enemies, ¹¹  and because you did not ask for long life, ¹²  but requested wisdom and discernment so you can make judicial decisions for my people over whom I have made you king, 1:12 you are granted wisdom and discernment. ¹³  Furthermore I am giving you riches, wealth, and honor surpassing that of any king before or after you.” ¹⁴ 

¹ tn Heb “did.”

² tn Heb “you word.”

³ tn Or “be firm, established.”

⁴ tn The cohortative with prefixed vav (ו) following the imperative here indicates purpose/result.

⁵ tn Heb “so I may go out before this nation and come in.” The expression “go out…and come in” here means “to lead” (see HALOT 425 s.v. יצא qal.4).

⁶ tn Heb “for.” The word “otherwise” is used to reflect the logical sense of the statement.

⁷ tn Heb “who is able?” The rhetorical question anticipates the answer, “no one.”

⁸ tn Heb “to judge.”

⁹ tn Heb “these numerous people of yours.”

¹⁰ tn Heb “because this was in your heart.”

¹¹ tn Heb “the life of those who hate you.”

¹² tn Heb “many days.”

¹³ tn Heb “wisdom and discernment are given to you.”

¹⁴ tn Heb “which was not so for the kings who were before you, and after you there will not be so.”