2 Chronicles 1:10

Authorized King James Version

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Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?

Original Language Analysis

עַתָּ֗ה H6258
עַתָּ֗ה
Strong's: H6258
Word #: 1 of 17
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
חָכְמָ֤ה me now wisdom H2451
חָכְמָ֤ה me now wisdom
Strong's: H2451
Word #: 2 of 17
wisdom (in a good sense)
וּמַדָּע֙ and knowledge H4093
וּמַדָּע֙ and knowledge
Strong's: H4093
Word #: 3 of 17
intelligence or consciousness
תֶּן Give H5414
תֶּן Give
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 4 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לִ֔י H0
לִ֔י
Strong's: H0
Word #: 5 of 17
וְאֵֽצְאָ֛ה that I may go out H3318
וְאֵֽצְאָ֛ה that I may go out
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 6 of 17
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
לִפְנֵ֥י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 7 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
עַמְּךָ֥ this people H5971
עַמְּךָ֥ this people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 8 of 17
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֖ה H2088
הַזֶּ֖ה
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 9 of 17
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
וְאָב֑וֹאָה and come in H935
וְאָב֑וֹאָה and come in
Strong's: H935
Word #: 10 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 11 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִ֣י H4310
מִ֣י
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 12 of 17
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יִשְׁפֹּ֔ט for who can judge H8199
יִשְׁפֹּ֔ט for who can judge
Strong's: H8199
Word #: 13 of 17
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 14 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַמְּךָ֥ this people H5971
עַמְּךָ֥ this people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 15 of 17
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֖ה H2088
הַזֶּ֖ה
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 16 of 17
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
הַגָּדֽוֹל׃ that is so great H1419
הַגָּדֽוֹל׃ that is so great
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 17 of 17
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

Analysis & Commentary

Solomon's request 'Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?' demonstrates remarkable spiritual maturity. The paired terms 'wisdom' (chokmah) and 'knowledge' (mada) encompass theoretical and practical understanding - both insight and skill. The phrase 'go out and come in' is Hebrew idiom for leadership's full scope. Solomon's humility ('who can judge?') acknowledges the task's impossibility without divine help. Calling them 'thy people' recognizes God's ownership - Solomon seeks wisdom to shepherd God's flock, not his own empire. This prefigures Christ, the wisdom of God, who perfectly leads God's people.

Historical Context

Solomon faced governing a united kingdom at its zenith, with complex judicial, administrative, and diplomatic challenges. His request for wisdom over wealth or military power demonstrated understanding that spiritual leadership requires divine enabling.

Questions for Reflection