And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
And now, O LORD my God, you have made me king in place of my father David. But I am like a young child who doesn't know how to lead or what to do.
The writer is showing Solomon humbly admitting to God that he feels young and inexperienced for the huge responsibility of being king.
📚 Historical Context
This is part of Solomon's prayer when God appeared to him in a dream at Gibeon, shortly after he became king of Israel following David's death. Solomon was likely in his late teens or early twenties, feeling overwhelmed by the enormous task of ruling God's chosen people. The phrase 'go out or come in' was a Hebrew expression meaning to carry out the duties of leadership and daily governance.
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