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Now Solomon loved the Lord by walking in the laws of his father David, with the exception that he also sacrificed and burned incense at the shrines.

The king went to the great shrine at Gibeon in order to sacrifice there. He used to offer a thousand entirely burned offerings on that altar. The Lord appeared to Solomon at Gibeon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask whatever you wish, and I’ll give it to you.”

Solomon responded, “You showed so much kindness to your servant my father David when he walked before you in truth, righteousness, and with a heart true to you. You’ve kept this great loyalty and kindness for him and have now given him a son to sit on his throne. And now, Lord my God, you have made me, your servant, king in my father David’s place. But I’m young and inexperienced. I know next to nothing. But I’m here, your servant, in the middle of the people you have chosen, a large population that can’t be numbered or counted due to its vast size. Please give your servant a discerning mind in order to govern your people and to distinguish good from evil, because no one is able to govern this important people of yours without your help.”

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. 11 God said to him, “Because you have asked for this instead of requesting long life, wealth, or victory over your enemies—asking for discernment so as to acquire good judgment— 12 I will now do just what you said. Look, I hereby give you a wise and understanding mind. There has been no one like you before now, nor will there be anyone like you afterward. 13 I now also give you what you didn’t ask for: wealth and fame. There won’t be a king like you as long as you live. 14 And if you walk in my ways and obey my laws and commands, just as your father David did, then I will give you a very long life.”

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Solomon showed his love(A) for the Lord by walking(B) according to the instructions(C) given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.(D)

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

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

“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child(K) and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen,(L) a great people, too numerous to count or number.(M) So give your servant a discerning(N) heart to govern your people and to distinguish(O) between right and wrong. For who is able(P) 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(Q) for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment(R) in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked.(S) I will give you a wise(T) 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(U) asked for—both wealth and honor(V)—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal(W) among kings. 14 And if you walk(X) in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”(Y)

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ב bet

How can young people keep their paths pure?
    By guarding them according to what you’ve said.[a]
10 I have sought you with all my heart.
    Don’t let me stray from any of your commandments!
11 I keep your word close, in my heart,
    so that I won’t sin against you.
12 You, Lord, are to be blessed!
    Teach me your statutes.
13 I will declare out loud
    all the rules you have spoken.
14 I rejoice in the content of your laws
    as if I were rejoicing over great wealth.
15 I will think about your precepts
    and examine all your paths.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
    I will not forget what you have said.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 119:9 LXX

ב Beth

How can a young person stay on the path of purity?(A)
    By living according to your word.(B)
10 I seek you with all my heart;(C)
    do not let me stray from your commands.(D)
11 I have hidden your word in my heart(E)
    that I might not sin(F) against you.
12 Praise be(G) to you, Lord;
    teach me(H) your decrees.(I)
13 With my lips I recount
    all the laws that come from your mouth.(J)
14 I rejoice in following your statutes(K)
    as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts(L)
    and consider your ways.
16 I delight(M) in your decrees;
    I will not neglect your word.

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Jesus feeds five thousand people

30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught. 31 Many people were coming and going, so there was no time to eat. He said to the apostles, “Come by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while.” 32 They departed in a boat by themselves for a deserted place.

33 Many people saw them leaving and recognized them, so they ran ahead from all the cities and arrived before them. 34 When Jesus arrived and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he began to teach them many things.

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Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand(A)(B)

30 The apostles(C) gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.(D) 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat,(E) he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

32 So they went away by themselves in a boat(F) to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.(G) So he began teaching them many things.

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