1 Kings 3:12
ESV
behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.
NIV
I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
NASB
behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you.
CSB
I will therefore do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again.
NLT
I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have!
KJV
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.
NKJV
behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.
What does 1 Kings 3:12 mean?
God has asked Solomon what he wants more than anything else in the world (1 Kings 3:5). Solomon asks for the wisdom needed to properly govern the Lord's chose people (1 Kings 3:9). He doesn't ask for the blessings God promised to the Israelites. He asks for the ability to lead the people God such that God will freely give those blessings (Deuteronomy 28:1–14). Like Mary of Bethany, he has chosen the "good portion" (Luke 10:42): he has selected the more important thing.The Lord says He is giving Solomon a mind wiser and more discerning than anyone who has ever or will ever live. Solomon will supernaturally become the wisest human being ever to exist in the world on this side of eternity. Solomon was already wise in his dealings with his adversaries (1 Kings 2). He doesn't increase his wisdom through careful study or hard-won experience. The Lord simply puts it into him as a gift of grace and mercy to use for the purpose of leading His people.
Solomon asks for the wisdom to "discern between good and evil" (1 Kings 3:9). The next story gives an example of how he does this (1 Kings 3:16–28). Solomon could have asked for those blessings, including riches, victory over his enemies, long life, possessions, and honor (1 Kings 3:10; 2 Chronicles 1:9). God would likely have granted them. In fact, He does (1 Kings 3:13).
