In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, 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 kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

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 thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

Read full chapter

(A)At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon (B)in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”

(C)And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he (D)walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You (E)have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a (F)little child; I do not know how (G)to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You (H)have chosen, a great people, (I)too numerous to be numbered or counted. (J)Therefore give to Your servant an [a]understanding heart (K)to judge Your people, that I may (L)discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

10 The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 3:9 Lit. hearing