Keraia
1 Kings 3

1 Kings 3:6

Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom · 1 Kings 3:1–15
Read 1 Kings 3

Translations

Modern
Solomon replied, “You have shown much loving devotion to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart. And You have maintained this loving devotion by giving him a son to sit on his throne this very day.
Traditional
And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
Literal
And Solomon said, “You have shown to Your servant David my father great loving devotion, because he walked before You in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You, and You have continued for him this great loving devotion, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
Latin
Et ait Salomon: Tu fecisti cum servo tuo David patre meo misericordiam magnam, sicut ambulavit in conspectu tuo in veritate et justitia, et recto corde tecum: custodisti ei misericordiam tuam grandem, et dedisti ei filium sedentem super thronum ejus, sicut est hodie.

Original

Hebrew
English
Solomon replied, “You have shown much loving devotion to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart. And You have maintained this loving devotion by giving him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

Notes

1 Kings 3:6

The Hebrew word khesed is often translated “faithful love.” It describes God’s gracious and kind treatment of people (Psalm 118:1–2). God shows this faithful love especially to Israel, the nation with whom he made a covenant (Deuteronomy 7:9, 12).

1 Kings 3:4–15

The story of God giving wisdom to Solomon is told as a chiasm (a mirrored structure where A and B reflect B' and A'). It highlights Solomon's interaction with the Lord:

  • A: While Solomon was sacrificing at Gibeon, the Lord appeared to him in a dream (1 Kings 3:4–5).

    • B: Solomon asked for wisdom to govern his people fairly and effectively (1 Kings 3:6–9).

    • B’: The Lord agreed to his request and gave him extra blessings (1 Kings 3:10–14).

  • A’: Solomon woke up from the dream and made more sacrifices to the Lord (1 Kings 3:15).

Events

Parallels

2 Chronicles 1:1–13 Psalm 45:1–17 Psalm 72:1–20

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Solomon: Son of David, king of Israel, known for his wisdom

Glossary

Gibeon, Gibeonites High Place King Kings, Books of First and Second Proverbs, Book of Solomon (Person)

Topics

Character of Saints: Upright Children: Solomon Communion: Solomon Dream of Solomon, Concerning his Choice of Wisdom Dreams: Mentioned in Scripture of Solomon Prayer: Answered: Solomon, Asking for Wisdom Righteousness: Saints: Walk Before God In Solomon: His Prayer for Wisdom, and his Vision Solomon: Piety of Walking Upright