1 Kings 3:5-14

Expanded Bible

⁵ While he was at Gibeon, the Lord appeared to him in a dream during the night. God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

⁶ Solomon answered, “You ·were very kind [showed faithful love/great lovingkindness] to your servant, my father David. He ·obeyed you, and he was honest and lived right [walked before you in truth/faithfulness and righteousness and integrity of heart]. You showed ·great kindness [faithful love; lovingkindness] to him when you allowed his son to ·be king [^Lsit on his throne] after him. ⁷ Lord my God, now you have made me, your servant, king in place of my father David. But I am like a little child; I don’t know how to ·do what must be done [^Lgo out or come in]. ⁸ I, your servant, am here among your chosen people, and there are too many of them to count. ⁹ I ask that you give me a heart that ·understands [discerns; ^Llistens], so I can ·rule [govern] the people in the right way and will ·know the difference between right and wrong [discern between good and evil]. ·Otherwise, it is impossible to rule this great people of yours [^LFor who is capable of governing this great people?].”

¹⁰ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked this. ¹¹ So God said to him, “You did not ask for a long life, or riches for yourself, or the ·death [^Llife] of your enemies. Since you asked for ·wisdom to make the right decisions [understanding to discern what is right/just], ¹² I will do what you asked. I will give you ·wisdom and understanding [a wise and discerning/^Llistening heart] that ·is greater than anyone has had in the past or will have in [will make you unlike anyone in the past or in] the future. ¹³ I will also give you what you did not ask for: riches and ·honor [fame]. During your life no other king will be as great as you. ¹⁴ If you ·follow me [^Lwalk in my ways] and obey my ·laws [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and commands, as your father David did, I will also give you a long life.”