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1 Kings 3

1 Kings 3:9 KJV (With Strong’s)

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9
Give
nathan (Hebrew #5414)
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
KJV usage: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, X avenge, X be ((healed)), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, + cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, X doubtless, X without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X pull , put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), + sing, + slander, strike, (sub-)mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, + weep, + willingly, + withdraw, + would (to) God, yield.
Pronounce: naw-than'
Origin: a primitive root
therefore thy servant
`ebed (Hebrew #5650)
a servant
KJV usage: X bondage, bondman, (bond-)servant, (man-)servant.
Pronounce: eh'-bed
Origin: from 5647
an δunderstanding
shama` (Hebrew #8085)
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
KJV usage: X attentively, call (gather) together, X carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
Pronounce: shaw-mah'
Origin: a primitive root
m heart
leb (Hebrew #3820)
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
KJV usage: + care for, comfortably, consent, X considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart((-ed)), X heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), X regard((-ed)), X themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly, wisdom.
Pronounce: labe
Origin: a form of 3824
to judge
shaphat (Hebrew #8199)
to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: + avenge, X that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), X needs, plead, reason, rule.
Pronounce: shaw-fat'
Origin: a primitive root
n thy people
`am (Hebrew #5971)
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
KJV usage: folk, men, nation, people.
Pronounce: am
Origin: from 6004
, that I may discern
biyn (Hebrew #995)
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand
KJV usage: attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man).
Pronounce: bene
Origin: a primitive root
p between good
towb (Hebrew #2896)
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)
KJV usage: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well ((-favoured)).
Pronounce: tobe
Origin: from 2895
and bad
ra` (Hebrew #7451)
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
KJV usage: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, + displease(-ure), distress, evil((- favouredness), man, thing), + exceedingly, X great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), + mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, + not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).
Pronounce: rah
Origin: from 7489
: for who is able
yakol (Hebrew #3201)
a primitive root; to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
KJV usage: be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer.
Pronounce: yaw-kole'
Origin: or (fuller) yakowl {yaw-kole'}
to judge
shaphat (Hebrew #8199)
to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: + avenge, X that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), X needs, plead, reason, rule.
Pronounce: shaw-fat'
Origin: a primitive root
this thy so great
kabed (Hebrew #3515)
heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)
KJV usage: (so) great, grievous, hard(-ened), (too) heavy(-ier), laden, much, slow, sore, thick.
Pronounce: kaw-bade'
Origin: from 3513
a people
`am (Hebrew #5971)
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
KJV usage: folk, men, nation, people.
Pronounce: am
Origin: from 6004
?
m
Prov. 2:3‑9• 3yea, if thou criest after discernment and liftest up thy voice to understanding;
 4if thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hidden treasures:
 5then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, and find the knowledge of God.
 6For Jehovah giveth wisdom; out of his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
 7He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to them that walk in integrity;
 8guarding the paths of just judgment and keeping the way of his godly ones.
 9Then shalt thou understand righteousness and judgment and equity: every good path. (Prov. 2:3‑9)
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James 1:5• 5But if any one of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all freely and reproaches not, and it shall be given to him: (James 1:5)
δ
hearing.
n
Psa. 72:1‑2• 1For Solomon. O God, give the king thy judgments, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.
 2He will judge thy people with righteousness, and thine afflicted with judgment. (Psa. 72:1‑2)
;
John 5:30• 30I cannot do anything of myself; as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous, because I do not seek my will, but the will of him that has sent me. (John 5:30)
p
Heb. 5:14• 14but solid food belongs to full-grown men, who, on account of habit, have their senses exercised for distinguishing both good and evil. (Heb. 5:14)

More on:

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Heart,
Servant

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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Give therefore.
1 Chron. 22:12• 12Only, Jehovah give thee wisdom and understanding, and place thee over Israel, and to keep the law of Jehovah thy God. (1 Chron. 22:12)
;
1 Chron. 29:19• 19And give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all, and to build the palace, for which I have made provision. (1 Chron. 29:19)
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2 Chron. 1:10• 10Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this thy great people? (2 Chron. 1:10)
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Psa. 119:34,73,144• 34Give me understanding, and I will observe thy law; and I will keep it with my whole heart.
 73YOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, and I will learn thy commandments.
 144The righteousness of thy testimonies is for ever: give me understanding, and I shall live. (Psa. 119:34,73,144)
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Prov. 2:3‑9• 3yea, if thou criest after discernment and liftest up thy voice to understanding;
 4if thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hidden treasures:
 5then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, and find the knowledge of God.
 6For Jehovah giveth wisdom; out of his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
 7He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to them that walk in integrity;
 8guarding the paths of just judgment and keeping the way of his godly ones.
 9Then shalt thou understand righteousness and judgment and equity: every good path. (Prov. 2:3‑9)
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Prov. 3:13‑18• 13Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
 14For the gain thereof is better than the gain of silver, and her revenue than fine gold.
 15She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not equal unto her.
 16Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand riches and honour.
 17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
 18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is he that retaineth her. (Prov. 3:13‑18)
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Prov. 16:16• 16How much better is it to get wisdom than fine gold, and the getting of intelligence to be preferred to silver! (Prov. 16:16)
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James 1:5• 5But if any one of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all freely and reproaches not, and it shall be given to him: (James 1:5)
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James 3:17• 17But the wisdom from above first is pure, then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, unquestioning, unfeigned. (James 3:17)
understanding.
Heb. hearing.
Prov. 20:12• 12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them. (Prov. 20:12)
to judge.
1 Kings 3:28• 28And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do justice. (1 Kings 3:28)
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Psa. 72:1‑2• 1For Solomon. O God, give the king thy judgments, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.
 2He will judge thy people with righteousness, and thine afflicted with judgment. (Psa. 72:1‑2)
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Prov. 14:8• 8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way; but the folly of the foolish is deceit. (Prov. 14:8)
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Eccl. 7:11,19• 11Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, and profitable to them that see the sun.
 19Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men that are in a city. (Eccl. 7:11,19)
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Eccl. 9:15‑18• 15and there was found in it a poor wise man, who by his wisdom delivered the city; but no man remembered that poor man.
 16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength; but the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
 17The words of the wise are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
 18Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroyeth much good. (Eccl. 9:15‑18)
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John 5:30• 30I cannot do anything of myself; as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous, because I do not seek my will, but the will of him that has sent me. (John 5:30)
discern.
2 Sam. 14:17• 17And thy bondmaid said, Let the word of my lord the king now be comfortable; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad; and Jehovah thy God will be with thee. (2 Sam. 14:17)
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Isa. 11:2‑4• 2and the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah.
 3And his delight will be in the fear of Jehovah; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears;
 4but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. (Isa. 11:2‑4)
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1 Cor. 2:14‑15• 14But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him; and he cannot know them because they are spiritually discerned;
 15but the spiritual discerns all things, and *he* is discerned of no one. (1 Cor. 2:14‑15)
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Eph. 5:17• 17For this reason be not foolish, but understanding what is the will of the Lord. (Eph. 5:17)
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Phil. 1:10• 10that ye may judge of and approve the things that are more excellent, in order that ye may be pure and without offence for Christ's day, (Phil. 1:10)
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Phil. 1•  (Phil. 1)
:*Gr:;
Heb. 5:14• 14but solid food belongs to full-grown men, who, on account of habit, have their senses exercised for distinguishing both good and evil. (Heb. 5:14)
who is able.
Ex. 3:11‑12• 11And Moses said to God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
 12And he said, For I will be with thee; and this shall be the sign to thee that I have sent thee: when thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. (Ex. 3:11‑12)
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Ex. 4:10‑13• 10And Moses said to Jehovah, Ah Lord! I am not eloquent, neither heretofore nor since thou hast spoken to thy servant, for I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue.
 11And Jehovah said to him, Who gave man a mouth? or who maketh dumb, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? have not I, Jehovah?
 12And now go, and I will be with thy mouth, and will teach thee what thou shalt say.
 13And he said, Ah Lord! send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. (Ex. 4:10‑13)
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Jer. 1:6• 6And I said, Alas, Lord Jehovah! behold, I cannot speak; for I am a child. (Jer. 1:6)
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Matt. 3:11,14• 11*I* indeed baptise you with water to repentance, but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not fit to bear; *he* shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire;
 14but John urgently forbad him, saying, *I* have need to be baptised of thee; and comest *thou* to me? (Matt. 3:11,14)
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2 Cor. 2:16• 16to the one an odour from death unto death, but to the others an odour from life unto life; and who is sufficient for these things? (2 Cor. 2:16)
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2 Cor. 3:5• 5not that we are competent of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but our competency is of God; (2 Cor. 3:5)
• He asks the Lord for “an understanding heart,” for hearing is the door to discernment and intelligence. In order to be wise one must begin by listening to wisdom: “Blessed is the man that heareth me” (Prov. 8:34). All true service starts with hearing. (“Gibeon: 1 Kings 3:4-15” by H.L. Rossier)
• “An understanding heart.” One does not truly learn to know the mind of God except with the heart—not with the intelligence. True intelligence is produced by affection for Christ. (“Gibeon: 1 Kings 3:4-15” by H.L. Rossier)

J. N. Darby Translation

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9
Give therefore to thy servant an understanding hearta, to judge thy people, to discern between good and bad; for who is able to judge this thy numerous people?

JND Translation Notes

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a
Strictly, "a heart that hears"; and so ver. 11, "to hear judgment."