The Meaning of 1 Kings 3:9 Explained

1 Kings 3:9

KJV: Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

YLT: and Thou hast given to Thy servant an understanding heart, to judge Thy people, to discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this Thy great people?'

Darby: Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people, to discern between good and bad; for who is able to judge this thy numerous people?

ASV: Give thy servant therefore an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this thy great people?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Give  therefore thy servant  an understanding  heart  to judge  thy people,  that I may discern  between good  and bad:  for who is able  to judge  this thy so great  a people? 

What does 1 Kings 3:9 Mean?

Context Summary

1Ki 3:1-15 - The Young King's Wise Choice
The chapter opens doubtfully. The affinity with Pharaoh, and the two onlys of 1 Kings 3:2-3 are not promising. See Deuteronomy 12:13-14. Yet there were hopeful features in Solomon's love for God, and the devotion and obedience by which it was proved. It remained, however, to be seen, which of these influences was to triumph in the outworking of his character. That is always the most urgent, question in life. With too many the early dew and morning cloud pass away, leaving no trace, Hosea 6:4.
There is an inner wisdom which is of the heart rather than of the head, and which God's Spirit bestows on those who love Him. Having this, we possess the key to all things in heaven and on earth. See 1 Corinthians 2:5, etc. When a man seeks first the Kingdom, all else is added, Matthew 6:33. Only the man who delights in God can be trusted with the gratification of his heart's desires, Psalms 37:4.
Live deep in God. Do not be dazzled or fascinated by outward things. Be concerned to know God's will and become the organ of His purpose. He will add to you all else that is needful for the fulfillment of your life-course.
1Ki 3:1-28 - Breaking Three Commandments
From a worldly point of view Naboth might have done a good stroke of business by selling his estate to. Ahab. A royal price and assured favor might have been his-but he had a conscience! Above the persuasive tones of the monarch's offer sounded the voice of God: "The land shall not be sold for ever, for the land is mine." See Leviticus 25:23; Numbers 36:7; Ezekiel 46:18.
Ahab knew perfectly well that Jezebel could not give him the property of another except by foul means, but he took pains not to inquire. Though the direct orders for Naboth's death did not come from him, yet, by his silence, he was an accomplice and an accessory; and divine justice penetrates all such specious excuses. God holds us responsible for wrongs which we do not arrest, though we have the power. The crime was blacker because of the pretext of religion, as suggested by a fast. See also 2 Kings 9:26. The blood of murdered innocence cries to God, and his requital, though delayed, is inevitable. See Revelation 6:9-10. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1Ki 3

1  Solomon marries Pharaoh's daughter
2  High places being in use, Solomon sacrifices at Gibeon
5  Solomon at Gibeon, in the choice which God gave him,
10  preferring wisdom, obtains wisdom, riches, and honor
16  Solomon's judgment makes him renowned

What do the individual words in 1 Kings 3:9 mean?

Therefore give to Your servant an heart understanding to judge - Your people that I may discern between good and evil For who is able to judge - people of Yours great this
וְנָתַתָּ֨ לְעַבְדְּךָ֜ לֵ֤ב שֹׁמֵ֙עַ֙ לִשְׁפֹּ֣ט אֶֽת־ עַמְּךָ֔ לְהָבִ֖ין בֵּֽין־ ט֣וֹב לְרָ֑ע כִּ֣י מִ֤י יוּכַל֙ לִשְׁפֹּ֔ט אֶת־ ؟ עַמְּךָ֥ הַכָּבֵ֖ד הַזֶּֽה

וְנָתַתָּ֨  Therefore  give 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
לְעַבְדְּךָ֜  to  Your  servant 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: עֶבֶד  
Sense: slave, servant.
לֵ֤ב  an  heart 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: לֵב 
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.
שֹׁמֵ֙עַ֙  understanding 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַע 
Sense: to hear, listen to, obey.
לִשְׁפֹּ֣ט  to  judge 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: שָׁפַט  
Sense: to judge, govern, vindicate, punish.
אֶֽת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
עַמְּךָ֔  Your  people 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
לְהָבִ֖ין  that  I  may  discern 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Hifil, Infinitive construct
Root: בִּין  
Sense: to discern, understand, consider.
בֵּֽין־  between 
Parse: Preposition
Root: בַּיִן 
Sense: between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between.
ט֣וֹב  good 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: טָבַב 
Sense: good, pleasant, agreeable.
לְרָ֑ע  and  evil 
Parse: Preposition-l, Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רַע 
Sense: bad, evil.
יוּכַל֙  is  able 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָכֹל  
Sense: to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able.
לִשְׁפֹּ֔ט  to  judge 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: שָׁפַט  
Sense: to judge, govern, vindicate, punish.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
؟ עַמְּךָ֥  people  of  Yours 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
הַכָּבֵ֖ד  great 
Parse: Article, Adjective, masculine singular
Root: כָּבֵד  
Sense: heavy, great.
הַזֶּֽה  this 
Parse: Article, Pronoun, masculine singular
Root: זֶה  
Sense: this, this one, here, which, this … that, the one … the other, another, such.