The transition word therefore reflects nothing more than the common Hebrew conjunction, but this is the turning point in Solomon’s speech to the LORD. It is here that he moves from reciting what God had done in the past to his specific request in response to the invitation given in verse 5. For this reason some kind of logical connector is necessary. It may be therefore (Revised Standard Version and many other modern versions), “So” (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Good News Translation), “then” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or possibly just the beginning of a new paragraph (Contemporary English Version).
An understanding mind is literally “a hearing heart.” The Hebrew verb often rendered “to hear” may also mean “to understand” in some contexts, as it does here. Osty-Trinquet says “an attentive heart” but explains in a footnote that “heart” is used in the biblical sense of “intelligence.” The “heart” in Hebrew, when used figuratively, refers to one’s inner self, to the seat of feelings, thoughts, and impulses (see 1 Kgs 2.44). While Revised Standard Version expresses this in idiomatic English with the noun mind, translators must decide whether “mind,” “heart,” or some other body part or expression will express the correct meaning in the receptor language.
The Hebrew verb translated to govern is often translated “to judge” (so New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New American Bible). It translates the same root for “judges” as in Ruth 1.1 and in Jdg 2.16, which is the basis for the title of the book of Judges. In the Old Testament the “judges” did more than settle legal disputes. They gave leadership and direction to the people. Here Solomon is not referring only to his role as a judge. A more general term such as govern (Revised Standard Version, Nouvelle Bible Segond) or “rule” (Good News Translation) should be used.
Discern between good and evil: In this context Bible en français courant is justified in adding “for them,” that is, “to know what is good and bad for them.” The Hebrew infinitive rendered discern may also be rendered “distinguish” (Moffatt) or “know the difference” (Good News Translation).
For who is able to govern this thy great people?: The final part of this verse is a rhetorical question. Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible correctly express the relationship of this question to the first part of the verse with the word “Otherwise” (similarly Bible en français courant). Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente restates this final part as “Without your help, who is able to rule your people, who are so great?” Some versions have chosen to drop the rhetorical question altogether and translate the meaning; for example, one African translation says “If it were not so, no person on earth would be able to govern this great nation of yours.”
The adjective great renders a Hebrew adjective with a wide range of meanings. The basic meaning is “heavy.” In a figurative sense it may mean “important” or “numerous.” Here it is synonymous with a different adjective that is also translated “great” in verse 8. For this thy great people, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “this vast people of Yours.” But De Vries takes it to mean “this thy difficult people.”
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .