1 Kings 3:11

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;

And God {H430} said {H559} unto him, Because thou hast asked {H7592} this thing {H1697}, and hast not asked {H7592} for thyself long {H7227} life {H3117}; neither hast asked {H7592} riches {H6239} for thyself, nor hast asked {H7592} the life {H5315} of thine enemies {H341}; but hast asked {H7592} for thyself understanding {H995} to discern {H8085} judgment {H4941};

God said to him, "Because you have made this request instead of asking long life or riches for yourself, or your enemies' death, but rather asked for yourself understanding to discern justice;

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—

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 justice;

Commentary

1 Kings 3:11 records God's commendation and response to King Solomon's prayer at Gibeon. This pivotal verse highlights God's pleasure in Solomon's selfless request for wisdom and discernment over personal gain.

Context

This verse follows a significant encounter between God and the newly appointed King Solomon. After offering a thousand burnt offerings at the high place in Gibeon, God appeared to Solomon in a dream and invited him to ask for anything he desired. Instead of asking for long life, wealth, or victory over his enemies—common desires for a new monarch—Solomon, recognizing the immense responsibility of ruling God's chosen people, made a humble request for an understanding heart to judge God's people and discern between good and evil. God's reply in 1 Kings 3:11 directly addresses this profound choice, setting the stage for Solomon's renowned wisdom and prosperity.

Key Themes

  • Divine Favor for Selfless Prayer: God was exceedingly pleased because Solomon's request was not for selfish ambition but for the good of God's people and the execution of righteous judgment. This demonstrates that prayers aligned with God's will and purpose are highly valued.
  • The Value of Wisdom and Discernment: The verse emphasizes that true wisdom, especially the ability to "discern judgment," is far more valuable than material wealth, power, or even extended life. This spiritual insight is essential for effective leadership and living a life pleasing to God.
  • Prioritizing God's Kingdom and Justice: Solomon's desire to justly govern Israel reflected a heart concerned with God's covenant and the well-being of His people. This prioritization of God's work over personal comfort is a timeless principle that invites seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "understanding to discern judgment" (KJV) in Hebrew is often translated as "a hearing heart" or "an understanding heart to judge." The Hebrew word for "understanding" (bina) implies not just intellectual knowledge but also the ability to perceive, discern, and distinguish, particularly between right and wrong. "To discern judgment" (lishpōt) refers to the practical application of this understanding in making just decisions, especially in legal and administrative matters. It signifies a profound capacity for wise governance and righteous leadership.

Practical Application

King Solomon's example in 1 Kings 3:11 offers a powerful lesson for believers today. It encourages us to:

  • Prioritize Spiritual Riches: Instead of primarily seeking worldly success, wealth, or personal comfort, we should desire wisdom, spiritual understanding, and the ability to live righteously and serve others effectively.
  • Pray Selflessly: Our prayers should not solely focus on our own needs but also on God's will, the needs of our community, and the advancement of His kingdom.
  • Seek Discernment: In a complex world, the ability to discern truth from error, good from evil, and God's path from our own desires is invaluable. We can humbly ask God for this wisdom, trusting He will grant it abundantly (see James 1:5).

God's response to Solomon was not only to grant him wisdom but also to bestow upon him the very things he didn't ask for—riches and honor—as seen in God's abundant blessing. This illustrates that when we align our desires with God's purposes, He often blesses us beyond what we can imagine.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 8:26 (5 votes)

    ¶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

  • 1 Kings 3:9 (5 votes)

    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?

  • James 4:2 (5 votes)

    Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

  • James 4:3 (5 votes)

    Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts.

  • Proverbs 16:31 (4 votes)

    ¶ The hoary head [is] a crown of glory, [if] it be found in the way of righteousness.

  • Psalms 4:6 (3 votes)

    ¶ [There be] many that say, Who will shew us [any] good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

  • Matthew 20:21 (2 votes)

    And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.