Because of Solomon’s unselfish request (verse 11), God promises that he will bless him beyond what he requested. Since this verse gives the result of the previous verse, it may be helpful to begin it with a logical connector such as “therefore” (New Jerusalem Bible), “So” (Contemporary English Version), or “For this reason.”

Wisdom and knowledge are granted to you: This passive expression will have to be transformed into an active one in many languages. Good News Translation does this by saying “I will give you wisdom and knowledge.” Another possible model is “You will receive wisdom and knowledge.” In some languages it will be more natural to use adjectives rather than abstract nouns here. Contemporary English Version does this by saying “I will make you wise and intelligent.”

I will give you riches, possessions, and honor: In addition to granting Solomon what he requested, God indicates that he will also give Solomon some of the things that he is praised for not having requested in verse 11; that is riches, possessions, and honor. However, God does not offer to destroy Solomon’s enemies.

Such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like: The Hebrew does not make it clear whether the kings refers to the kings of Israel only or to the kings of all nations, as Good News Translation seems to suggest. Unlike Good News Translation, Berkeley limits the reference to the kings of Israel by saying “such as none of your royal predecessors have had, nor will any successor compare with you.” La Biblia: Traducción en Lenguaje Actual is similar to Good News Translation by rendering the last sentence of this verse as “moreover, I will make you the richest, most powerful and most famous king who has ever lived. Nobody will ever be able to equal you.”

As noted in the comments on verse 11, God’s reply to Solomon in verses 11-12a is a long complex sentence in Hebrew. In many languages it may be better to break it up into two or more sentences. A possible model that does this is:

• 11 All that you asked of me comes only from your heart: You did not ask for things or money or fame or a long life. You did not ask me to cause your enemies to die. But you asked me for wisdom and knowledge so that you might be able to govern my people over whom I made you king. 12 Therefore, I will give you wisdom and knowledge, but I will also add things and money and fame….

Another possible model, based on Parole de Vie, is:

• 11 You did not ask me for abundant riches or for great honor. You did not ask for the death of your enemies or for a long life. But you asked only for the wisdom and knowledge necessary to govern my people over whom I established you as king. Since this is what you desire, 12 you will receive this wisdom and this knowledge. But in addition, I will give you abundant riches and great honor….

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .