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.
Study Note
Study Note
'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' — God's fulfillment of Solomon's humble prayer (verses 7–9) is immediately confirmed with a superlative that in the Hebrew Bible's narrative economy creates both high promise and deep irony. The unequaled wisdom is subsequently undermined by the narrative of Solomon's foreign wives and divided heart (1 Kings 11), teaching that the greatest gift misused produces the greatest failure. Jesus's reference to 'one greater than Solomon' in Matthew 12:42 places himself as the fulfillment that the Solomonic wisdom-ideal pointed toward but never fully embodied.
Other Translations
behold, I have done according to thy word: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there hath been none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
lo, I have done according to thy words; lo, I have given to thee a heart, wise and understanding, that like thee there hath not been before thee, and after thee there doth not arise like thee;
I have done as you said: I have given you a wise and far-seeing heart, so that there has never been your equal in the past, and never will there be any like you in the future.
Cross References
And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I …
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, …
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we …
And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: …
I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than …
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she …
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor …
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to …
Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.