What is a Discerning Heart?

Scripture — 1 Kings 3:7-9 (NIV)

Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?

Devotion

In yesterday’s Life for Leaders devotion, I began to examine the prayer of Solomon in 1 Kings 3 in which he asks for “a discerning heart.” Today I want to dig more deeply into this unusual phrase. I wonder: What is a discerning heart? What was Solomon asking of the Lord? What would it be like for me to ask for and receive a discerning heart?

The phrase “discerning heart” is unusual. It shows up three times in the NIV translation of the Old Testament (1 Kings 3:9, 12; Prov 15:14). Other English translations prefer phrases like “understanding mind” (NRSV, ESV) or “discerning mind” (CEB). The Hebrew original in 1 Kings 3:12 and Prov 15:14, but not in our passage, is lev navon. Lev is the standard Hebrew word usually translated as “heart.” Navon is a participle from the verb that means “discern, perceive, understand.” A discerning heart might also be thought of as a perceiving or understanding heart.

The Hebrew behind the phrase “discerning heart” in our passage (1 Kings 3:9), where Solomon makes his request of God, is curiously different. It is lev shomea‘, which is translated literally as “a hearing heart,” from the Hebrew verb shama‘, the standard Hebrew verb for “to hear, listen.” Years ago, the New English Bible translated lev shomea‘ as “a heart with a skill to listen.” The translation in the Word Biblical Commentary (WBC) prefers “a receptive heart.” Both options draw out something distinctive and, I believe, essential in Solomon’s request. Yes, he wants to be adept at discerning or understanding. But with the phrase “a hearing heart,” Solomon implies that true wisdom and understanding require careful listening. Listening to what or whom? Primarily, to the voice of divine Wisdom, to the guidance of the Lord. Thus, the WBC observes, “One must be attentive, receptive, and discriminating if he is to render true justice” (p. 52). The Tyndale Commentary on 1 Kings 3:9 agrees: “The attitude of heart or mind which listens to and obeys God is the foundation of true wisdom” (p. 92).

By asking for a “listening heart,” Solomon recognizes that he will rule justly, not by virtue of his own abilities, even God-given abilities, but only when he listens well to God. Discernment needed for leadership depends on an attitude of humility and receptiveness before the Lord. It is the result of seeking after God’s wisdom, God’s voice.

In yesterday’s devotion, I mentioned how Solomon’s humility before God impressed me. He recognized the immensity of the task before him, ruling over Israel. He acknowledged his own immaturity and lack of wisdom. He knew that, more than anything else, he needed God’s help if he was to rule wisely and well.

Though I admit that at times I can be overly impressed with my ability to lead, I can also remember occasions when I felt and prayed a lot like Solomon. I expect you can remember similar occasions in your life.

One of those times came as I was candidating to become the pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church. Though at 33 years of age I was a relatively young man, I had confidence in my pastoral ability. I had several years of pastoral experience. I had been interviewed extensively. I had preached a “try-out” sermon. I had written essays and been thoroughly checked out by the search committee from the church. The fact that they ultimately sought to call me as their pastor confirmed my confidence in my ability.

I had plenty of confidence until the night before the Sunday on which the congregation would vote to call me or not. I went over to the church grounds to pray. It was late, so I was alone and could pray out loud. As I talked with God about what was coming the next day, I began to feel quite insecure. Though I had solid experience and education, I started to doubt my ability to be a wise, caring, and effective pastor for 400 adults and 400 children. Who did I think I was, anyway?

As I prayed, my tendency to be overconfident was replaced by genuine humility. I realized that, without God’s help every step of the way, I would not be the pastor this church needed. Though I didn’t use Solomon’s exact phrasing, I was asking God to help me pay attention to God’s guidance. I really did want to hear God’s voice, not just at that moment, but throughout my tenure as pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church. I wanted a listening heart. And I realized that without this kind of heart, I would not be the pastor this church needed.

In retrospect, I would say that God did help me to have a receptive, listening heart, at least when I was ready and willing to listen. In tomorrow’s devotion, I’ll share some things I learned about how to be a more attentive listener.

Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the High Calling archive, hosted by the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: How Does Humility Factor Into Your Role as a Leader?.