The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 3:9
Give therefore thy servant an understanding [Heb. hearing. Cf. verse 11 (Heb. "to hear judgment.") The idea is not docility, as the Vulg. ( cor docile ) , but discrimination, penetration. Cf. 2 Samuel 14:17 (Heb.); Philippians 1:9 , Philippians 1:10 (marg.)] heart [ i.e; a judicial mind. The "hearing heart" was desired, not that it might "give heed to the law" (Keil), but to qualify him] to Judge thy people [The Hebrew king, like most ancient monarchs, was supreme judge... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 3:8
And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen [see Deuteronomy 7:6 ], a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. [The promises of Genesis 13:16 ; Genesis 15:5 , lived in the thoughts and language of the Jews, and were doubtless the original of this expression. Cf. also Numbers 23:10 .] read more