1 Kings 3:7-9

3:7 Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in my father David’s place, even though I am only a young man and am inexperienced. ¹  3:8 Your servant stands ²  among your chosen people; ³  they are a great nation that is too numerous to count or number. 3:9 So give your servant a discerning mind ⁴  so he can make judicial decisions for ⁵  your people and distinguish right from wrong. ⁶  Otherwise ⁷  no one is able ⁸  to make judicial decisions for ⁹  this great nation of yours.” ¹⁰ 

[3:7]  ¹ tn Heb “and I do not know going out or coming in.”

[3:8]  ² tn There is no verb expressed in the Hebrew text; “stands” is supplied in the translation for clarification.

[3:8]  ³ tn Heb “your people whom you have chosen.”

[3:9]  ⁴ tn Heb “a hearing heart.” (The Hebrew term translated “heart” often refers to the mental faculties.)

[3:9]  ⁵ tn Heb “to judge.”

[3:9]  ⁶ tn Heb “to understand between good and evil.”

[3:9]  ⁷ tn Heb “for”; the word “otherwise” is used to reflect the logical sense of the statement.

[3:9]  ⁸ tn Heb “who is able?” The rhetorical question anticipates the answer, “no one.”

[3:9]  ⁹ tn Heb “to judge.”

[3:9]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “your numerous people.”