Solomon Asks for Wisdom^(A)(B)

1 Solomon son of David established^(C) himself firmly over his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with^(D) him and made him exceedingly great.^(E)

² Then Solomon spoke to all Israel^(F)—to the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, to the judges and to all the leaders in Israel, the heads of families— ³ and Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon,^(G) for God’s tent of meeting^(H) was there, which Moses^(I) the Lord’s servant had made in the wilderness. ⁴ Now David had brought up the ark^(J) of God from Kiriath Jearim to the place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent^(K) for it in Jerusalem. ⁵ But the bronze altar^(L) that Bezalel^(M) son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made was in Gibeon in front of the tabernacle of the Lord; so Solomon and the assembly inquired^(N) of him there. ⁶ Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord in the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.

⁷ That night God appeared^(O) to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

⁸ Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me^(P) king in his place. ⁹ Now, Lord God, let your promise^(Q) to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth.^{(R) 10} Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead^(S) this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

¹¹ God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth,^(T) possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, ¹² therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor,^(U) such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.^(V)”

¹³ Then Solomon went to Jerusalem from the high place at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting. And he reigned over Israel.

⁴⁶ Then the king gave the order to Benaiah^(A) son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei^(B) down and he died.

The kingdom was now established^(C) in Solomon’s hands.

Solomon Asks for Wisdom^(D)

3 Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt and married^(E) his daughter.^(F) He brought her to the City of David^(G) until he finished building his palace^(H) and the temple of the Lord, and the wall around Jerusalem. ² The people, however, were still sacrificing at the high places,^(I) because a temple had not yet been built for the Name^(J) of the Lord. ³ Solomon showed his love^(K) for the Lord by walking^(L) according to the instructions^(M) given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.^(N)

⁴ The king went to Gibeon^(O) to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. ⁵ At Gibeon the Lord appeared^(P) to Solomon during the night in a dream,^(Q) and God said, “Ask^(R) for whatever you want me to give you.”

⁶ Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful^(S) to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son^(T) to sit on his throne this very day.

⁷ “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child^(U) and do not know how to carry out my duties. ⁸ Your servant is here among the people you have chosen,^(V) a great people, too numerous to count or number.^{(W) 9} So give your servant a discerning^(X) heart to govern your people and to distinguish^(Y) between right and wrong. For who is able^(Z) to govern this great people of yours?”

¹⁰ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. ¹¹ So God said to him, “Since you have asked^(AA) for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment^(AB) in administering justice, ¹² I will do what you have asked.^(AC) I will give you a wise^(AD) and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. ¹³ Moreover, I will give you what you have not^(AE) asked for—both wealth and honor^(AF)—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal^(AG) among kings. ¹⁴ And if you walk^(AH) in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”^{(AI) 15} Then Solomon awoke^(AJ)—and he realized it had been a dream.^(AK)

He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings^(AL) and fellowship offerings.^(AM) Then he gave a feast^(AN) for all his court.