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1 Kings 3:7 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.
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But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_kings/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Now, O LORD my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_kings/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_kings/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I <i>am but</i> a little child: I know not <i>how</i> to go out or come in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_kings/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I <i>am</i> a little child; I do not know <i>how</i> to go out or come in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_kings/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And now, LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am <i>like</i> a little boy; I do not know how to go out or come in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_kings/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_kings/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And now, O LORD my God, Thou hast made Thy servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_kings/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So now, O Yahweh my God, You have made Your slave king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_kings/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of David my father; and as for me, I am but a little boy [in wisdom and experience]; I do not know how to go out or come in [that is, how to conduct business as a king].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_kings/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“LORD my God, you have now made your servant king in my father David’s place. Yet I am just a youth with no experience in leadership.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_kings/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br /> LORD my God, You have now made Your servant king in my father David’s place. Yet I am just a youth with no experience in leadership.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_kings/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And now, O Jehovah 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_kings/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />LORD God, I'm your servant, and you've made me king in my father's place. But I'm very young and know so little about being a leader. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_kings/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_kings/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"LORD my God, although I'm young and inexperienced, you've made me king in place of my father David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_kings/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />O LORD God, you have let me succeed my father as king, even though I am very young and don't know how to rule. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_kings/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now, LORD my God, you have set me as king to replace my father David, but I'm still young. I don't have any leadership skills.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_kings/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_kings/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in my father David's place, even though I am only a young man and am inexperienced.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_kings/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father. I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_kings/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_kings/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now, Yahweh my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father. I am just a little child. I don’t know how to go out or come in. <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 now, O YHWH my God, You have caused Your servant to reign instead of my father David; and I [am] a little child, I do not know [how] to go out and to come in;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_kings/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And now, O Jehovah my God, Thou hast caused thy servant to reign instead of David my father; and I am a little child, I do not know to go out and to come in;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_kings/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And now, Jehovah my God, thou madest thy servant king instead of David my father and I a little boy, shall not know to go out and come in.<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 now, O Lord God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a child, and know not how to go out and come in. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_kings/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And now, O Lord God, you have caused your servant to reign in place of David, my father. But I am a small child, and I am ignorant of my entrance and departure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_kings/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now, LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed David my father; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And now, O LORD God, thou hast made thy servant king in place of David my father; and I am but a little child; I know not how to go out or come in among thy people, whom thou hast chosen,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_kings/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And now, LORD JEHOVAH God, you have made your servant King for the sake of David my father, and I am a small boy and I do not know how to go out and to come in among your people whom you have chosen<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 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_kings/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And now, O Lord my God, thou hast appointed thy servant in the room of David my father; and I am a little child, and know not my going out an my coming in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_kings/3-7.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=1192" 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">6</span>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. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">And now,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">O LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hāy (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">my God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">You</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·də·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">have made Your servant</a> <a href="/hebrew/4427.htm" title="4427: him·laḵ·tā (V-Hifil-Perf-2ms) -- A primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence to take counsel.">king</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">in my father</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: dā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">David’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ta·ḥaṯ (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">place.</a> <a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: wə·’ā·nō·ḵî (Conj-w:: Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">But I am</a> <a href="/hebrew/6996.htm" title="6996: qā·ṭōn (Adj-ms) -- Small, young, unimportant. Or qaton; from quwt; abbreviated, i.e. Diminutive, literally or figuratively.">only a little</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: na·‘ar (N-ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">child,</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.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: ’ê·ḏa‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">knowing how</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: ṣêṯ (V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">to go out</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: wā·ḇō (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">or come in.</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a people too numerous to count or number.…<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="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a></span><br />Now 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/2-6.htm">Proverbs 2:6</a></span><br />For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/1-6.htm">Jeremiah 1:6</a></span><br />“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/1-10.htm">2 Chronicles 1:10</a></span><br />Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7</a></span><br />Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-125.htm">Psalm 119:125</a></span><br />I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-11.htm">Exodus 3:11</a></span><br />But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-12.htm">1 Timothy 4:12</a></span><br />Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-5.htm">Isaiah 6:5</a></span><br />Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-15.htm">Luke 21:15</a></span><br />For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/25-4.htm">Psalm 25:4-5</a></span><br />Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. / Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-5.htm">2 Corinthians 3:5</a></span><br />Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a></span><br />Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-23.htm">Jeremiah 10:23</a></span><br />I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-13.htm">Philippians 4:13</a></span><br />I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.</p><p class="hdg">thou hast</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/2-21.htm">Daniel 2:21</a></b></br> And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/4-25.htm">Daniel 4:25,32</a></b></br> That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/5-18.htm">Daniel 5:18,21</a></b></br> O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: … </p><p class="hdg">a little</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/29-1.htm">1 Chronicles 29:1</a></b></br> Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, <i>is yet</i> young and tender, and the work <i>is</i> great: for the palace <i>is</i> not for man, but for the LORD God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/32-6.htm">Job 32:6-8</a></b></br> And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I <i>am</i> young, and ye <i>are</i> very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:16</a></b></br> Woe to thee, O land, when thy king <i>is</i> a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!</p><p class="hdg">to go</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/27-17.htm">Numbers 27:17</a></b></br> Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/31-2.htm">Deuteronomy 31:2</a></b></br> And he said unto them, I <i>am</i> an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/18-16.htm">1 Samuel 18:16</a></b></br> But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/2-28.htm">Although</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-18.htm">Boy</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-4.htm">Carry</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-19.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-23.htm">Child</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-6.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-25.htm">Duties</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-13.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-36.htm">Little</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-15.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-6.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-4.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/11-10.htm">Although</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-17.htm">Boy</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-9.htm">Carry</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-25.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-17.htm">Child</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-14.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/6-32.htm">Duties</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-1.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-64.htm">Little</a> <a href="/1_kings/6-1.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-8.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-17.htm">Young</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'; 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The use of "O LORD" (Yahweh) signifies the sacred name of God, highlighting His eternal and unchanging nature. This invocation is a common feature in Hebrew prayers, showing reverence and dependence on God.<p><b>You have made Your servant king</b><br>Solomon recognizes that his kingship is not by his own doing but by divine appointment. This reflects the biblical theme of God's sovereignty in establishing leaders, as seen in <a href="/1_samuel/16.htm">1 Samuel 16:1</a> when God chose David. The term "servant" indicates humility and submission to God's will, a key characteristic expected of Israel's leaders.<p><b>in my father David’s place.</b><br>Solomon acknowledges the dynastic succession promised to David in <a href="/2_samuel/7-12.htm">2 Samuel 7:12-16</a>, where God assures David that his lineage will continue to rule. This continuity underscores the fulfillment of God's promises and the importance of Davidic lineage, which is central to messianic prophecies pointing to Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant.<p><b>But I am only a little child,</b><br>Solomon's self-description as "a little child" is metaphorical, expressing his sense of inadequacy and inexperience. Although Solomon was likely in his early twenties, this phrase conveys humility and a recognition of the immense responsibility of ruling a nation. It echoes the biblical principle that God often chooses the humble and seemingly weak to accomplish His purposes, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27</a>.<p><b>not knowing how to go out or come in.</b><br>This expression is an idiom for lacking the wisdom and experience necessary for leadership, particularly in governance and military matters. It reflects the need for divine guidance, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/31-2.htm">Deuteronomy 31:2</a>, where Moses uses similar language. Solomon's request for wisdom in the following verses highlights the biblical theme that true wisdom comes from God, a theme echoed in <a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a>.<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 begins his reign with humility, acknowledging his need for divine guidance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>Solomon's father and the former king of Israel, David is a central figure in Israel's history, known for his heart for God and his leadership.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who has established Solomon as king. Solomon addresses Him directly, seeking wisdom and guidance.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation over which Solomon reigns. Israel is God's chosen people, and their leadership is crucial for their spiritual and national prosperity.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/gibeon.htm">Gibeon</a></b><br>The place where Solomon offers sacrifices and where God appears to him in a dream, asking what he desires.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_before_god.htm">Humility Before God</a></b><br>Solomon's admission of being "only a little child" highlights the importance of approaching God with humility, recognizing our limitations and dependence on Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_divine_wisdom.htm">Seeking Divine Wisdom</a></b><br>Solomon's request for wisdom rather than wealth or power sets an example for prioritizing spiritual discernment over worldly gains.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/acknowledging_god's_sovereignty.htm">Acknowledging God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>By recognizing that God has made him king, Solomon acknowledges God's ultimate authority and control over his life and leadership.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_prayer.htm">The Importance of Prayer</a></b><br>Solomon's dialogue with God underscores the necessity of prayer in seeking guidance and making decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_responsibility.htm">Leadership and Responsibility</a></b><br>Solomon's awareness of his role and the weight of leadership serves as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with positions of authority.<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/is_king_solomon_considered_saved.htm">Is King Solomon considered saved?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_rehoboam_ignore_elders'_advice.htm">(2 Chronicles 10:6–8) Why would Rehoboam ignore experienced elders’ counsel, despite the text indicating he had access to wisdom? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_david_sneak_into_saul's_camp.htm">How could David and Abishai enter Saul's camp and take his spear and water jug unnoticed by 3,000 soldiers? (1 Samuel 26:7-12)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_abijah_more_faithful_in_chronicles.htm">2 Chronicles 13 compared with 1 Kings 15:3 - Why does Abijah appear more faithful in Chronicles than in Kings, and what might explain this seeming discrepancy?</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 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And now, O Lord my Cod, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father; and I am but</span> [Heb. <span class="accented">and I</span>... ] <span class="cmt_word">a little child:</span> [These words are generally understood as indicating Solomon's humility rather than his age. No doubt, there is some exaggeration in the expression, which manifestly is not to be taken <span class="accented">au pied de la lettre</span>; at the same time it is questionable whether such words would be used of himself by a young man of twenty, which Solomon is commonly supposed to have been. See on 1 Kings 2:2, and 1 Kings 12:8] <span class="cmt_word">I know not how to go out or come in.</span> [The same phrase is found in the Pentateuch, <a href="/deuteronomy/28-6.htm">Deuteronomy 28:6</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/31-2.htm">Deuteronomy 31:2</a>. Also in <a href="/1_samuel/18-13.htm">1 Samuel 18:13</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/3-25.htm">2 Samuel 3:25</a>; <a href="/psalms/121-8.htm">Psalm 121:8</a>. It is the formula for expressing behaviour, conduct, the outward life of man.] <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_kings/3-7.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">And now,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַתָּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> </span><span class="str2">At this time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my God,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהָ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתָּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">{have made} Your servant</span><br /><span class="heb">עַבְדְּךָ֔</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḇ·də·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">king</span><br /><span class="heb">הִמְלַ֣כְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(him·laḵ·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4427.htm">Strong's 4427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in my father</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">David’s</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּוִ֣ד</span> <span class="translit">(dā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">place.</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּ֖חַת</span> <span class="translit">(ta·ḥaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> </span><span class="str2">The bottom, below, in lieu of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">But I [am]</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאָֽנֹכִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·nō·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">only a little</span><br /><span class="heb">קָטֹ֔ן</span> <span class="translit">(qā·ṭōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6996.htm">Strong's 6996: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small, young, unimportant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">child,</span><br /><span class="heb">נַ֣עַר</span> <span class="translit">(na·‘ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> </span><span class="str2">A boy, lad, youth, retainer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">knowing [how]</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵדַ֖ע</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·ḏa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to exit</span><br /><span class="heb">צֵ֥את</span> <span class="translit">(ṣêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or enter.</span><br /><span class="heb">וָבֹֽא׃</span> <span class="translit">(wā·ḇō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/3-7.htm">1 Kings 3:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_kings/3-7.htm">1 Kings 3:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_kings/3-7.htm">1 Kings 3:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_kings/3-7.htm">1 Kings 3:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_kings/3-7.htm">1 Kings 3:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/3-7.htm">1 Kings 3:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/3-7.htm">1 Kings 3:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/3-7.htm">1 Kings 3:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/3-7.htm">1 Kings 3:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_kings/3-7.htm">1 Kings 3:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_kings/3-7.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 3:7 Now Yahweh my God you have made (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/3-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 3:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 3:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/3-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 3:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 3:8" /></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>