1 Raja-raja 3:9

3:9 So give your servant a discerning mind ¹  so he can make judicial decisions for ²  your people and distinguish right from wrong. ³  Otherwise ⁴  no one is able ⁵  to make judicial decisions for ⁶  this great nation of yours.” ⁷ 

1 Raja-raja 8:23

8:23 He prayed: ⁸  “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven above or on earth below! You maintain covenantal loyalty ⁹  to your servants who obey you with sincerity. ¹⁰ 

[3:9]  ¹ tn Heb “a hearing heart.” (The Hebrew term translated “heart” often refers to the mental faculties.)

[3:9]  ² tn Heb “to judge.”

[3:9]  ³ tn Heb “to understand between good and evil.”

[3:9]  ⁴ tn Heb “for”; the word “otherwise” is used to reflect the logical sense of the statement.

[3:9]  ⁵ tn Heb “who is able?” The rhetorical question anticipates the answer, “no one.”

[3:9]  ⁶ tn Heb “to judge.”

[3:9]  ⁷ tn Heb “your numerous people.”

[8:23]  ⁸ tn Heb “said.”

[8:23]  ⁹ tn Heb “one who keeps the covenant and the loyal love.” The expression is a hendiadys.

[8:23]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “who walk before you with all their heart.”