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?
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Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Gill's Exposition
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people,.... Not an understanding of things spiritual, nor of things natural, though both were given him, but of things political, what…
Barnes' Notes
One of the chief functions of the Oriental monarch is always to hear and decide causes. Hence, supreme magistrates were naturally called “judges.” (See the introduction to the Book of Judges.) In the…
Adam Clarke
Give - an understanding heart to judge thy people - He did not ask wisdom in general, but the true science of government. This wisdom he sought, and this wisdom he obtained.
We have here an account of a gracious visit which God paid to Solomon, and the communion he had with God in it, which put a greater honour upon Solomon than all the wealth and power of his kingdom…
Cambridge Bible
an understanding heart This is explained (2Ch 1:10) by -wisdom and knowledge." The participle rendered -understanding" is literally -hearing," and the LXX. has paraphrased the clause thus: -a heart to…
Cross References
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