God’s Word Translation
1 Kings 3:12
12So I’m going to do what you’ve asked. I’m giving you a wise and understanding heart so that there will never be anyone like you.
1 Kings 3:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
- New International Version (NIV)I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
- English Standard Version (ESV)behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.
- New King James Version (NKJV)behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.
Context of 1 Kings 3:12
10The Lord was pleased that Solomon asked for this. 11God replied, “You’ve asked for this and not for a long life, or riches for yourself, or the death of your enemies. Instead, you’ve asked for understanding so that you can do what is right. So I’m going to do what you’ve asked. I’m giving you a wise and understanding heart so that there will never be anyone like you. 13I’m also giving you what you haven’t asked for—riches and honor—so that no other king will be like you as long as you live. 14And if you follow me and obey my laws and commands as your father David did, then I will also give you a long life.”
Read all of 1 Kings 31 Kings 3:12 word by word
הִנֵּ֥ה עָשִׂ֖יתִי כִּדְבָרֶ֑יךָ הִנֵּ֣ה׀ נָתַ֣תִּי לְךָ֗ לֵ֚ב חָכָ֣ם וְנָב֔וֹן אֲשֶׁ֤ר כָּמ֙וֹךָ֙ לֹא־הָיָ֣ה לְפָנֶ֔יךָ וְאַחֲרֶ֖יךָ לֹא־יָק֥וּם כָּמֽוֹךָ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Behold, I have doneעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
- according to thy wordsדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697
- lo, I have givenנָתַןnâthan · to give: giveH5414
- thee a wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
- and an understandingבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995
- heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
- so that there was none like thee beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
- thee, neither afterאַחַר'achar · afterH310
- thee shall any ariseקוּםqûm · to arise: riseH6965
Cross-references for 1 Kings 3:12
- Psalms 10:17You have heard the desire of oppressed people, O Lord. You encourage them. You pay close attention to them
- Isaiah 65:24Before they call, I will answer. While they’re still speaking, I will hear.
- Romans 8:26At the same time the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we don’t know how to pray for what we need. But the Spirit intercedes along with our groans that cannot be expressed in words.
- 1 John 5:14We are confident that God listens to us if we ask for anything that has his approval.
- 1 Kings 3:28All Israel heard about the decision the king made. They respected the king very highly, because they saw he possessed wisdom from God to do what was right.
- 1 Kings 2:6Use your wisdom. Don’t let that gray-haired, old man go to his grave peacefully.
- 1 Kings 4:29God gave Solomon wisdom—keen insight and a mind as limitless as the sand on the seashore.
- 1 Kings 5:12The Lord gave Solomon wisdom as he had promised. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and they made a treaty with one another.
- 1 Kings 10:3Solomon answered all her questions. No question was too difficult for the king to answer.
- 2 Chronicles 1:11God replied to Solomon, “I know this request is from your heart. You didn’t ask for riches, fortunes, honor, or the death of those who hate you. You didn’t even ask for a long life. Instead, you’ve asked for wisdom and knowledge to judge my people, over whom I made you king.
- 2 Chronicles 2:12Huram added, “May the Lord God of Israel be praised. He made the heavens and the earth and has given King David a wise son who has insight and intelligence and can build the Lord’s temple and a royal palace.
- 2 Chronicles 9:5She told the king, “What I heard in my country about your words and your wisdom is true!
- Ecclesiastes 1:13With all my heart I used wisdom to study and explore everything done under heaven. Mortals are weighed down with a terrible burden that God has placed on them.
- Luke 21:15I will give you words and wisdom that none of your enemies will be able to oppose or prove wrong.
- Matthew 12:42The queen from the south will stand up at the time of judgment with you. She will condemn you, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear Solomon’s wisdom. But look, someone greater than Solomon is here!
- Colossians 2:3God has hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Christ.
Commentaries on 1 Kings 3:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart - I have given thee a capacious mind, one capable of knowing much: make a proper use of thy powers, under the direction of my Spirit, and thou shalt excel in wisdom all that have gone before thee; neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. But, query, Was not all this conditional? If he should walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and commandments, 1 Kings 3:14. Was it not to depend upon his…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12A wise and an understanding heart - Solomon‘s wisdom seems to have been both moral and intellectual (see 1 Kings 4:29-34). But it was moral wisdom alone which he requested, and which was promised him. The terms translated “wise” and “understanding,” both denote practical wisdom. (See Genesis 41:33, Genesis 41:39; Deuteronomy 4:6; Proverbs 1:2, etc.) Neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee - i. e. in the knowledge of what was in man, and in the…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-15Verses 5-15 Solomon's dream was not a common one. While his bodily powers were locked up in sleep, the powers of his soul were strengthened; he was enabled to receive the Divine vision, and to make a suitable choice. God, in like manner, puts us in the ready way to be happy, by assuring us we shall have what we need, and pray for. Solomon's making such a choice when asleep, and the powers of reason least active, showed it came from the grace of God…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10-12God was pleased with Solomon's selfless request and gave him a wise and understanding heart. These unique qualities are shown in the next section (1 Kings 3:16–28) and as Solomon organizes his administration (1 Kings 4), business dealings, construction projects, international relations, and worship practices (1 Kings 5–10).Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Kings 3:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Kings 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries