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1 Kings 3:8 Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a people too numerous to count or number.
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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_kings/3-7.htm" title="1 Kings 3:7">◄</a> 1 Kings 3:8 <a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm" title="1 Kings 3:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_kings/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_kings/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_kings/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_kings/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a people too numerous to count or number.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_kings/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And thy servant <i>is</i> in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_kings/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Your servant <i>is</i> in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_kings/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_kings/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_kings/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And Thy servant is in the midst of Thy people which Thou hast chosen, a great people who cannot be numbered or counted for multitude.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_kings/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Your slave is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a numerous people who are too many to be numbered or counted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_kings/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Your servant is among Your people whom You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_kings/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Your servant is among your people you have chosen, a people too many to be numbered or counted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_kings/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Your servant is among Your people You have chosen, a people too numerous to be numbered or counted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_kings/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_kings/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />And now I must rule your chosen people, even though there are too many of them to count. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_kings/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_kings/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I'm among your people whom you have chosen. They are too numerous to count or record.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_kings/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Here I am among the people you have chosen to be your own, a people who are so many that they cannot be counted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_kings/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Your servant lives in the midst of your people that you have chosen, a great people that is too numerous to be counted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_kings/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a people too numerous to count or number.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_kings/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Your servant stands among your chosen people; they are a great nation that is too numerous to count or number.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_kings/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Your servant is in the midst of your people which you have chosen, a great people, that can't be numbered nor counted for multitude.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_kings/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_kings/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Your servant is among your people which you have chosen, a great people, that can’t be numbered or counted for multitude. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_kings/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and Your servant [is] in the midst of your people, whom You have chosen, a people numerous, that is not numbered nor counted for multitude,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_kings/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Thy servant is in the midst of thy people, whom Thou hast chosen, a people numerous, that is not numbered nor counted for multitude,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_kings/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And thy servant in the midst of thy people which thou didst choose, many people which shall not be numbered and counted for multitude.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_kings/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And thy servant is in the midst of the people which thou hast chosen, an immense people, which cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_kings/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And your servant is in the midst of the people that you have chosen, an immense people, who are not able to be numbered or counted because of their multitude.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_kings/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I, your servant, among the people you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />A great people that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_kings/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />An abundant people that is not numbered and is not counted from its multitude.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_kings/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Thy servant is in the midst of Thy people which Thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_kings/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But thy servant <i>is</i> in the midst of thy people, whom thou hast chosen, a great people, which cannot be numbered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_kings/3-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=1205" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/3.htm">Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>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. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: wə·‘aḇ·də·ḵā (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">Your servant</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: bə·ṯō·wḵ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">is here among</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am·mə·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/977.htm" title="977: bā·ḥā·rə·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To choose. A primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. select.">You have chosen,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am- (N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">a people</a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: rāḇ (Adj-ms) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7230.htm" title="7230: mê·rōḇ (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Multitude, abundance, greatness. From rabab; abundance.">too numerous</a> <a href="/hebrew/4487.htm" title="4487: yim·mā·neh (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll.">to count</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5608.htm" title="5608: yis·sā·p̄êr (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- To count, recount, relate. ">or number.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>Therefore 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?”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-6.htm">Deuteronomy 7:6-8</a></span><br />For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth. / The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. / But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2-3</a></span><br />I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/19-5.htm">Exodus 19:5-6</a></span><br />Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. / And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/7-23.htm">2 Samuel 7:23-24</a></span><br />And who is like Your people Israel—the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem as a people for Himself and to make a name for Himself? You performed great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before Your people, whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt. / For You have established Your people Israel as Your very own forever, and You, O LORD, have become their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/33-12.htm">Psalm 33:12</a></span><br />Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His inheritance!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-6.htm">Psalm 105:6-10</a></span><br />O offspring of His servant Abraham, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones. / He is the LORD our God; His judgments carry throughout the earth. / He remembers His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations— ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-8.htm">Isaiah 41:8-10</a></span><br />“But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend— / I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said, ‘You are My servant.’ I have chosen and not rejected you. / Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/43-1.htm">Isaiah 43:1-4</a></span><br />But now, this is what the LORD says—He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine! / When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze. / For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-31.htm">Jeremiah 31:31-34</a></span><br />Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. / It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. / “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/1-10.htm">Hosea 1:10</a></span><br />Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And it will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-25.htm">Romans 9:25-26</a></span><br />As He says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘My People’ who are not My people, and I will call her ‘My Beloved’ who is not My beloved,” / and, “It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9-10</a></span><br />But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. / Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-7.htm">Galatians 3:7-9</a></span><br />Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. / The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” / So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/8-8.htm">Hebrews 8:8-12</a></span><br />But God found fault with the people and said: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. / It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they did not abide by My covenant, and I disregarded them, declares the Lord. / For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their minds and inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/5-9.htm">Revelation 5:9-10</a></span><br />And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. / You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And your servant is in the middle of your people which you have chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.</p><p class="hdg">thy people</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/19-5.htm">Exodus 19:5,6</a></b></br> Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth <i>is</i> mine: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/7-6.htm">Deuteronomy 7:6-8</a></b></br> For thou <i>art</i> an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that <i>are</i> upon the face of the earth… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/12-22.htm">1 Samuel 12:22</a></b></br> For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.</p><p class="hdg">cannot</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16</a></b></br> And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, <i>then</i> shall thy seed also be numbered.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a></b></br> And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17</a></b></br> That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which <i>is</i> upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/21-1.htm">Account</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-6.htm">Chosen</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-4.htm">Count</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-21.htm">Counted</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-6.htm">Great</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-5.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-29.htm">Multitude</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-10.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-11.htm">Numerous</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-1.htm">Round</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-15.htm">Selection</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-7.htm">Servant</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/9-15.htm">Account</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-44.htm">Chosen</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-10.htm">Count</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-5.htm">Counted</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm">Great</a> <a href="/1_kings/6-13.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-20.htm">Multitude</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-32.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm">Numerous</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-24.htm">Round</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-13.htm">Selection</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm">Servant</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-1.htm">Solomon marries Pharaoh's daughter</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-2.htm">High places being in use, Solomon sacrifices at Gibeon</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-5.htm">Solomon at Gibeon, in the choice which God gave him, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-10.htm">preferring wisdom, obtains wisdom, riches, and honor</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/3-16.htm">Solomon's judgment makes him renowned</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_kings/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Your servant is here among the people You have chosen</b><br>This phrase highlights Solomon's acknowledgment of his role as a servant leader among God's chosen people, Israel. The concept of being "chosen" is deeply rooted in the Abrahamic covenant, where God promised Abraham that his descendants would be a great nation (<a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2</a>). This covenantal relationship is central to Israel's identity and mission. Solomon's use of "Your servant" reflects humility and recognition of his dependence on God, a theme echoed in the New Testament where Jesus emphasizes servanthood (<a href="/mark/10-45.htm">Mark 10:45</a>). The idea of being among the people also suggests a sense of solidarity and responsibility, reminiscent of Moses' leadership and intercession for Israel (<a href="/exodus/32-11.htm">Exodus 32:11-14</a>).<p><b>a people too numerous to count or number</b><br>This phrase recalls the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore (<a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17</a>). It signifies the growth and prosperity of Israel under God's blessing. The hyperbolic language underscores the vastness of the nation, which had expanded significantly during the reigns of David and Solomon. This growth is both a blessing and a challenge, as it requires wise governance and justice, themes Solomon addresses in his request for wisdom (<a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm">1 Kings 3:9</a>). The phrase also connects to the eschatological vision in Revelation, where a great multitude from every nation stands before the throne of God, too numerous to count (<a href="/revelation/7-9.htm">Revelation 7:9</a>), symbolizing the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise through Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>The son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon is the newly anointed king of Israel. Known for his wisdom, Solomon is seeking guidance from God in this passage.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, a nation that has grown large and prosperous under the leadership of David and now Solomon. They are described as "a people too numerous to count or number."<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/gibeon.htm">Gibeon</a></b><br>The place where Solomon offered sacrifices and where God appeared to him in a dream, asking what he desired.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The sovereign Lord who chose Israel as His people and who grants wisdom and understanding to Solomon.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>Solomon's father, the former king of Israel, whose legacy and covenant with God set the stage for Solomon's reign.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>Solomon acknowledges his need for divine wisdom to govern God's chosen people. We, too, should seek God's guidance in our responsibilities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/recognition_of_god's_promises.htm">Recognition of God's Promises</a></b><br>Solomon's reference to the numerous people of Israel reflects the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham. We should trust in God's faithfulness to His promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_humility.htm">Leadership and Humility</a></b><br>Solomon's request for wisdom rather than wealth or power demonstrates humility. Leaders today should prioritize wisdom and service over personal gain.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prayer.htm">The Role of Prayer</a></b><br>Solomon's interaction with God at Gibeon underscores the importance of prayer in seeking God's will. We should cultivate a prayerful life to align with God's purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_responsibility.htm">Community and Responsibility</a></b><br>As part of God's chosen people, Solomon had a responsibility to lead with justice and righteousness. Believers are called to serve their communities with integrity.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_david_want_married_bathsheba.htm">Why did David desire Bathsheba despite her being married?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_jesus'_life_and_teachings_fulfill_god.htm">How does Jesus' life and teachings fulfill God's promise?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_do_you_say_i_am.htm">Who do you say I am?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/incorporate_media_in_worship.htm">Should churches incorporate media into worship services?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen</span> [see <a href="/deuteronomy/7-6.htm">Deuteronomy 7:6</a>], <span class="cmt_word">a great people, that cannot be</span> <span class="cmt_word">numbered nor counted for multitude.</span> [The promises of <a href="/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16</a>; <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a>, lived in the thoughts and language of the Jews, and were doubtless the original of this expression. Cf. also <a href="/numbers/23-10.htm">Numbers 23:10</a>.] <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_kings/3-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Your servant</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַ֨בְדְּךָ֔</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘aḇ·də·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is here among</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּת֥וֹךְ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṯō·wḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bisection, the centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the people</span><br /><span class="heb">עַמְּךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(‘am·mə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You have chosen,</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּחָ֑רְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(bā·ḥā·rə·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_977.htm">Strong's 977: </a> </span><span class="str2">To try, select</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a people</span><br /><span class="heb">עַם־</span> <span class="translit">(‘am-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">too numerous</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵרֹֽב׃</span> <span class="translit">(mê·rōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7230.htm">Strong's 7230: </a> </span><span class="str2">Multitude, abundance, greatness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to count</span><br /><span class="heb">יִמָּנֶ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(yim·mā·neh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4487.htm">Strong's 4487: </a> </span><span class="str2">To weigh out, to allot, constitute officially, to enumerate, enroll</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or number.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִסָּפֵ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(yis·sā·p̄êr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5608.htm">Strong's 5608: </a> </span><span class="str2">To count, recount, relate</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/3-8.htm">1 Kings 3:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_kings/3-8.htm">1 Kings 3:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_kings/3-8.htm">1 Kings 3:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_kings/3-8.htm">1 Kings 3:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_kings/3-8.htm">1 Kings 3:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/3-8.htm">1 Kings 3:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/3-8.htm">1 Kings 3:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/3-8.htm">1 Kings 3:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/3-8.htm">1 Kings 3:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_kings/3-8.htm">1 Kings 3:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_kings/3-8.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 3:8 Your servant is in the midst (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/3-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 3:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 3:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 3:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 3:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>