1 Kings 3:7

Translations

Modern

And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in.

Traditional

And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

Literal

And now, O YHWH my God, You have made Your servant to reign in place of David my father, and I am a little child. I do not know going out or coming in.

Latin

Et nunc Domine Deus, tu regnare fecisti servum tuum pro David patre meo: ego autem sum puer parvulus, et ignorans egressum et introitum meum.

Original

Hebrew

English

And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in.

Notes

1 Kings 3:7–9

The Hebrew term for little child often referred to someone inexperienced in their job, like an "assistant" (1 Kings 19:21). Solomon humbly admitted his lack of experience and his need for wisdom. He understood that to govern the people well and make good decisions, he needed God's help.

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).

Theme notes and profiles

Solomon God’s Covenant with Israel’s Kings Pride and Humility Solomon’s Wisdom Wisdom

Events

Reign of Solomon

Related verses

Numbers 27:17
…who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
1 Chronicles 29:1
Then King David said to the whole assembly, “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great because this palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.
Jeremiah 1:6
“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!”
Matthew 18:3–4
“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
2 Samuel 5:2
Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”
John 10:9
I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.
Daniel 4:25
You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. You will feed on grass like an ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.
Job 32:6–8
So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: “I am young in years, while you are old; that is why I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know.
John 10:3–4
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
Daniel 5:18
As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.
Daniel 2:21
He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
Daniel 5:21
He was driven away from mankind, and his mind was like that of a beast. He lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he acknowledged that the Most High God rules over the kingdom of mankind, setting over it whom He wishes.

Parallels

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

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

Glossary

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

Topics

Children: Solomon Communion: Solomon Dream of Solomon, Concerning his Choice of Wisdom Dreams: Mentioned in Scripture of Solomon Humility: Exemplified Prayer: Answered: Solomon, Asking for Wisdom Prayer: Solomon Asked for Wisdom; the Answer Included Wisdom, Riches, Honor, and Long Life Solomon: His Prayer for Wisdom, and his Vision Solomon: Piety of Wisdom: Prayer for Spiritual

1 Kings 3:7

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