1 Kings 3:3-15

Christian Standard Bible

³ Solomon loved the Lord^(A) by walking in the statutes of his father David,^(B) but he also sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.

⁴ The king went to Gibeon^(C) to sacrifice there because it was the most famous high place. He offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.^{(D) 5} At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon^(E) in a dream at night.^(F) God said, “Ask.^(G) What should I give you?”

⁶ And Solomon replied, “You have shown great and faithful love to your servant, my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, righteousness, and integrity.^[a] You have continued this great and faithful love for him by giving him a son to sit on his throne,^(H) as it is today.^(I)

⁷ “Lord my God, you have now made your servant king in my father David’s place.^(J) Yet I am just a youth with no experience in leadership.^{[b](K) 8} Your servant is among your people you have chosen,^(L) a people too many to be numbered or counted.^{(M) 9} So give your servant a receptive heart to judge^(N) your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?” ^(O)

¹⁰ Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had requested this. ¹¹ So God said to him, “Because you have requested this and did not ask for long life^[c] or riches for yourself,^(P) or the death^[d] of your enemies, but you asked discernment for yourself to administer justice,^{(Q) 12} I will therefore do what you have asked.^(R) I will give you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again.^{(S) 13} In addition, I will give you what you did not ask for: both riches and honor,^(T) so that no king will be your equal during your entire life.^{(U) 14} If you walk in my ways and keep my statutes and commands just as your father David did, I will give you a long life.”^(V)

¹⁵ Then Solomon woke up^(W) and realized it had been a dream.^(X) He went to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant,^(Y) and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings.^(Z) Then he held a feast^(AA) for all his servants.