1 Kings 3:9
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
King James Version (1769) · public domain 1 Kings 3:9
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About the Book of 1 Kings
1 Kings opens with the glory of Solomon's reign — the wisest man on earth, the temple built in Jerusalem, and a kingdom at peace. It closes with the nation torn in two and the prophet Elijah defying a queen and her prophets on Mount Carmel.
Its 22 chapters and 816 verses record Solomon's famous prayer for "an understanding heart" (1 Kings 3:9) and the LORD's generous reply (1 Kings 3:12), the dedication of the temple, and the visit of the queen of Sheba. The later chapters bring the showdown at Carmel, where Elijah calls the people back — "how long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him" (1 Kings 18:21) — and the quiet moment when God speaks in "a still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12).
Old TestamentTestament 22Chapters 816Verses 11thBook of the Bible
Key themes in 1 Kings
- Wisdom
- Temple
- Division
- Prophecy
- Idolatry
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Pick a chapter to draw a random verse from 1 Kings 1–22.
Popular Verses from 1 Kings
- 1 Kings 3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
- 1 Kings 3:12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
- 1 Kings 8:56 Blessed [be] the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.
- 1 Kings 8:61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
- 1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
- 1 Kings 19:12 And after the earthquake a fire; [but] the LORD [was] not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Book of 1 Kings about?
1 Kings tells the story of Solomon's glorious reign, the building of the temple, and the division of the kingdom after his death, along with the ministries of prophets like Elijah who called Israel back to the LORD.
How many chapters are in 1 Kings?
The first book of Kings has 22 chapters and 816 verses in the King James Version (1769).