1 Kings 3:5-12

English Standard Version

^5 (A)At Gibeon ^(B)the Lord appeared to Solomon ^(C)in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” ⁶ And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because ^(D)he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and ^(E)have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. ⁷ And now, O Lord my God, ^(F)you have made your servant king in place of David my father, ^(G)although I am but a little child. I do not know ^(H)how to go out or come in. ^8 (I)And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, ^(J)too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. ^9 (K)Give your servant therefore an understanding mind ^(L)to govern your people, that I may ^(M)discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

¹⁰ It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. ¹¹ And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, ¹² behold, ^(N)I now do according to your word. Behold, ^(O)I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.