II Chronicles 1:10
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Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
In the close of the foregoing book we read how God magnified Solomon and Israel obeyed him; God and Israel concurred to honour him. Now here we have an account, I. How he honoured God by sacrifice (Ch2 1:1-6) and by prayer (Ch2 1:7-12). II. How he honoured Israel by increasing their strength, wealth, and trade (Ch2 1:13-17).
Open source ↗1:10 Solomon received wisdom and knowledge so he could govern (Hebrew shapat) well. The word shapat, often rendered “judge” (e.g., in Judges), can also mean “govern.”
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
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?”
Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.
Give me understanding that I may obey Your law, and follow it with all my heart.
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.’”
Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding to learn Your commandments.
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.
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.”
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.
he said to them, “I am now a hundred and twenty years old; I am no longer able to come and go, and the LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’
To the one, we are an odor of death and demise; to the other, a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?