Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Kings 3:6

"And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great lovingkindness, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great lovingkindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day." — 1 Kings 3:6 (ASV)

And Solomon said—On Solomon’s “wisdom,” see Note on 1 Kings 4:29. Here it is clear that the wisdom that he asks is that of the ruler, involving elements both moral and intellectual—the wisdom to discern and do true justice between man and man. He calls himself a little child—his age is variously estimated from twelve to twenty at this time—and trembles at the responsibility of ruling over so great a people. But, in the characteristic spirit of the true godliness of the Old Testament, he looks for wisdom, not as the mere result of human teaching and experience, but as an inspiration of God, and prays for it accordingly, in a prayer of singular beauty and humility, pleading simply God’s promise to his father, and its fulfilment in his own accession to the throne.