Above all, may the LORD give you insight and understanding when He puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the LORD your God.
Parallel translations
- WEB May Yahweh give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel; that so you may keep the law of Yahweh your God.
- KJV Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.
- NKJV Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the Lord your God.
- NASB Only the Lord give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the Lord your God.
- NLT And may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, that you may obey the Law of the Lord your God as you rule over Israel.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David prayed that the LORD would give Solomon discretion and understanding to rule Israel and keep God's law. Wisdom to obey was his chief concern for his son.
Overview
David asked first for spiritual wisdom and understanding so Solomon could both govern Israel and keep God's law. This prayer reflects the priority of obedience over mere ability or wealth, and it anticipates Solomon's later request for wisdom. True leadership in God's kingdom flows from a heart submitted to His word.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Jas 1:5Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
- 1 Kgs 3:9–12Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
- 2 Chr 1:10Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
- Prov 14:8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.
- Deut 4:6Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
- Prov 2:6–7For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
- 1 Jn 2:3By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments.
- Luke 21:15For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
- Ps 72:1Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness.
- 1 Kgs 11:1–10King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women.
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Christ at the center
The genealogies and the everlasting covenant with David trace the single thread of promise running through the generations straight to the Christ in whom the line reaches its goal.
How 1 Chronicles 22:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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