1 Kings 3:9

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

So give your servant a discerning mind so he can make judicial decisions for your people and distinguish right from wrong. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours.”

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Jas 1:5 : 5 But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.
  • 2 Sam 14:17 : 17 So your servant said,‘May the word of my lord the king be my security, for my lord the king is like the angel of God when it comes to deciding between right and wrong! May the LORD your God be with you!’”
  • Ps 72:1-2 : 1 For Solomon. O God, grant the king the ability to make just decisions! Grant the king’s son the ability to make fair decisions! 2 Then he will judge your people fairly, and your oppressed ones equitably.
  • Prov 2:3-9 : 3 indeed, if you call out for discernment– shout loudly for understanding– 4 if you seek it like silver, and search for it like hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand how to fear the LORD, and you will discover knowledge about God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. 7 He stores up effective counsel for the upright, and is like a shield for those who live with integrity, 8 to guard the paths of the righteous and to protect the way of his pious ones. 9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity– every good way.
  • Heb 5:14 : 14 But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil.
  • Isa 11:2-4 : 2 The LORD’s Spirit will rest on him– a Spirit that gives extraordinary wisdom, a Spirit that provides the ability to execute plans, a Spirit that produces absolute loyalty to the LORD. 3 He will take delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by mere appearances, or make decisions on the basis of hearsay. 4 He will treat the poor fairly, and make right decisions for the downtrodden of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and order the wicked to be executed.
  • John 5:30 : 30 I can do nothing on my own initiative. Just as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will, but the will of the one who sent me.
  • Prov 16:16 : 16 How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.
  • Ps 119:34 : 34 Give me understanding so that I might observe your law, and keep it with all my heart.
  • 1 Chr 22:12 : 12 Only may the LORD give you insight and understanding when he places you in charge of Israel, so you may obey the law of the LORD your God.
  • 2 Chr 1:10 : 10 Now give me wisdom and discernment so I can effectively lead this nation. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours.”
  • Ps 119:144 : 144 Your rules remain just. Give me insight so that I can live.
  • 2 Cor 3:5 : 5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as if it were coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,
  • Eph 5:17 : 17 For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is.
  • Jas 3:17 : 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical.
  • Phil 1:10 : 10 so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ,
  • 1 Cor 2:14-15 : 14 The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is understood by no one.
  • 2 Cor 2:16 : 16 to the latter an odor from death to death, but to the former a fragrance from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?
  • Jer 1:6 : 6 I answered,“Oh, Sovereign LORD, Really I do not know how to speak well enough for that, for I am too young.”
  • Matt 3:11 : 11 “I baptize you with water, for repentance, but the one coming after me is more powerful than I am– I am not worthy to carry his sandals! He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
  • Matt 3:14 : 14 But John tried to prevent him, saying,“I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”
  • Prov 3:13-18 : 13 Blessings of Obtaining Wisdom Blessed is the one who has found wisdom, and the one who obtains understanding. 14 For her benefit is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies, and none of the things you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are very pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful. 18 She is like a tree of life to those who grasp onto her, and everyone who takes hold of her will be blessed.
  • Prov 14:8 : 8 The wisdom of the shrewd person is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deception.
  • Prov 20:12 : 12 The ear that hears and the eye that sees– the LORD has made them both.
  • Eccl 7:11 : 11 Wisdom Can Lengthen One’s Life Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing; it benefits those who see the light of day.
  • Eccl 7:19 : 19 Wisdom Needed Because No One is Truly Righteous Wisdom gives a wise person more protection than ten rulers in a city.
  • Eccl 9:15-18 : 15 However, a poor but wise man lived in the city, and he could have delivered the city by his wisdom, but no one listened to that poor man. 16 So I concluded that wisdom is better than might, but a poor man’s wisdom is despised; no one ever listens to his advice. 17 Wisdom versus Fools, Sin, and Folly The words of the wise are heard in quiet, more than the shouting of a ruler is heard among fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.
  • 1 Chr 29:19 : 19 Make my son Solomon willing to obey your commands, rules, and regulations, and to complete building the palace for which I have made preparations.”
  • Ps 119:73 : 73 י(Yod) Your hands made me and formed me. Give me understanding so that I might learn your commands.
  • 1 Kgs 3:28 : 28 When all Israel heard about the judicial decision which the king had rendered, they respected the king, for they realized that he possessed divine wisdom to make judicial decisions.
  • Exod 3:11-12 : 11 Moses said to God,“Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, or that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 He replied,“Surely I will be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you bring the people out of Egypt, you and they will serve God at this mountain.”
  • Exod 4:10-13 : 10 Then Moses said to the LORD,“O my Lord, I am not an eloquent man, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant, for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” 11 The LORD said to him,“Who gave a mouth to man, or who makes a person mute or deaf or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 So now go, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you must say.” 13 But Moses said,“O my Lord, please send anyone else whom you wish to send!”

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • 2 Chr 1:7-12
    6 verses
    86%

    7That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him,“Tell me what I should give you.”

    8Solomon replied to God,“You demonstrated great loyalty to my father David and have made me king in his place.

    9Now, LORD God, may your promise to my father David be realized, for you have made me king over a great nation as numerous as the dust of the earth.

    10Now give me wisdom and discernment so I can effectively lead this nation. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours.”

    11God said to Solomon,“Because you desire this, and did not ask for riches, wealth, and honor, or for vengeance on your enemies, and because you did not ask for long life, but requested wisdom and discernment so you can make judicial decisions for my people over whom I have made you king,

    12you are granted wisdom and discernment. Furthermore I am giving you riches, wealth, and honor surpassing that of any king before or after you.”

  • 1 Kgs 3:10-13
    4 verses
    83%

    10The Lord was pleased that Solomon made this request.

    11God said to him,“Because you asked for the ability to make wise judicial decisions, and not for long life, or riches, or vengeance on your enemies,

    12I grant your request, and give you a wise and discerning mind superior to that of anyone who has preceded or will succeed you.

    13Furthermore, I am giving you what you did not request– riches and honor so that you will be the greatest king of your generation.

  • 1 Kgs 3:5-8
    4 verses
    83%

    5One night in Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream. God said,“Tell me what I should give you.”

    6Solomon replied,“You demonstrated great loyalty to your servant, my father David, as he served you faithfully, properly, and sincerely. You have maintained this great loyalty to this day by allowing his son to sit on his throne.

    7Now, 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.

    8Your servant stands among your chosen people; they are a great nation that is too numerous to count or number.

  • 1 Chr 29:18-19
    2 verses
    76%

    18O LORD God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, always maintain these motives of your people and keep them devoted to you.

    19Make my son Solomon willing to obey your commands, rules, and regulations, and to complete building the palace for which I have made preparations.”

  • 2 Chr 9:23
    73%

    23All the kings of the earth wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom.

  • 1 Kgs 3:28
    73%

    28When all Israel heard about the judicial decision which the king had rendered, they respected the king, for they realized that he possessed divine wisdom to make judicial decisions.

  • 2 Chr 9:7-8
    2 verses
    72%

    7Your attendants, who stand before you at all times and hear your wise sayings, are truly happy!

    8May the LORD your God be praised because he favored you by placing you on his throne as the one ruling on his behalf! Because of your God’s love for Israel and his lasting commitment to them, he made you king over them so you could make just and right decisions.”

  • 1 Kgs 10:24
    72%

    24Everyone in the world wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom.

  • 1 Kgs 10:8-9
    2 verses
    72%

    8Your attendants, who stand before you at all times and hear your wise sayings, are truly happy!

    9May the LORD your God be praised because he favored you by placing you on the throne of Israel! Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, he made you king so you could make just and right decisions.”

  • 1 Chr 28:9
    72%

    9“And you, Solomon my son, obey the God of your father and serve him with a submissive attitude and a willing spirit, for the LORD examines all minds and understands every motive of one’s thoughts. If you seek him, he will let you find him, but if you abandon him, he will reject you permanently.

  • 1 Chr 17:19
    71%

    19O LORD, for the sake of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing in order to reveal your greatness.

  • Ps 119:125
    71%

    125I am your servant. Give me insight, so that I can understand your rules.

  • 1 Kgs 1:20
    71%

    20Now, my master, O king, all Israel is watching anxiously to see who is named to succeed my master the king on the throne.

  • 1 Kgs 4:29
    71%

    29God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment; the breadth of his understanding was as infinite as the sand on the seashore.

  • 2 Sam 7:21
    71%

    21For the sake of your promise and according to your purpose you have done this great thing in order to reveal it to your servant.

  • 1 Kgs 8:52
    70%

    52“May you be attentive to your servant’s and your people Israel’s requests for help and may you respond to all their prayers to you.

  • 1 Kgs 8:39
    70%

    39then listen from your heavenly dwelling place, forgive their sin, and act favorably toward each one based on your evaluation of his motives.(Indeed you are the only one who can correctly evaluate the motives of all people.)

  • 1 Kgs 8:23
    70%

    23He prayed:“O LORD, God of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven above or on earth below! You maintain covenantal loyalty to your servants who obey you with sincerity.

  • 1 Kgs 1:27
    70%

    27Has my master the king authorized this without informing your servants who should succeed my master the king on his throne?”

  • Deut 1:13
    70%

    13Select wise and practical men, those known among your tribes, whom I may appoint as your leaders.”

  • Ps 119:34
    70%

    34Give me understanding so that I might observe your law, and keep it with all my heart.

  • 1 Chr 22:12
    69%

    12Only may the LORD give you insight and understanding when he places you in charge of Israel, so you may obey the law of the LORD your God.

  • Exod 18:19
    69%

    19Now listen to me, I will give you advice, and may God be with you: You be a representative for the people to God, and you bring their disputes to God;

  • 2 Chr 6:30
    69%

    30then listen from your heavenly dwelling place, forgive their sin, and act favorably toward each one based on your evaluation of their motives.(Indeed you are the only one who can correctly evaluate the motives of all people.)

  • Prov 1:2
    69%

    2To learn wisdom and moral instruction, to discern wise counsel.

  • 1 Chr 29:1
    69%

    1The People Contribute to the Project King David said to the entire assembly:“My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is just an inexperienced young man, and the task is great, for this palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.

  • 1 Kgs 5:6-7
    2 verses
    69%

    6So now order some cedars of Lebanon to be cut for me. My servants will work with your servants. I will pay your servants whatever you say is appropriate, for you know that we have no one among us who knows how to cut down trees like the Sidonians.”

    7When Hiram heard Solomon’s message, he was very happy. He said,“The LORD is worthy of praise today because he has given David a wise son to rule over this great nation.”

  • 2 Chr 1:2
    68%

    2Solomon addressed all Israel, including those who commanded units of a thousand and a hundred, the judges, and all the leaders of all Israel who were heads of families.

  • 2 Chr 6:19
    68%

    19But respond favorably to your servant’s prayer and his request for help, O LORD my God. Answer the desperate prayer your servant is presenting to you.

  • 2 Chr 10:6
    68%

    6King Rehoboam consulted with the older advisers who had served his father Solomon when he had been alive. He asked them,“How do you advise me to answer these people?”

  • Prov 2:2
    68%

    2by making your ear attentive to wisdom, and by turning your heart to understanding,

  • 2 Sam 14:16
    68%

    16Yes! The king may listen and deliver his female servant from the hand of the man who seeks to remove both me and my son from the inheritance God has given us!’

  • Ps 119:66
    68%

    66Teach me proper discernment and understanding! For I consider your commands to be reliable.