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.

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) At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon(E) in a dream at night.(F) God said, “Ask.(G) What should I give you?”

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)

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) Your servant is among your people you have chosen,(L) a people too many to be numbered or counted.(M) 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.

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Footnotes

  1. 3:6 Lit and uprightness of heart with you
  2. 3:7 Lit am a little youth and do not know to go out or come in
  3. 3:11 Lit for many days
  4. 3:11 Lit life

Solomon (A)loved the Lord, (B)walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, (C)for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. (D)At Gibeon (E)the Lord appeared to Solomon (F)in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because (G)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 (H)have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God, (I)you have made your servant king in place of David my father, (J)although I am but a little child. I do not know (K)how to go out or come in. (L)And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, (M)too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. (N)Give your servant therefore an understanding mind (O)to govern your people, that I may (P)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, (Q)I now do according to your word. Behold, (R)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. 13 (S)I give you also what you have not asked, (T)both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, (U)as your father David walked, then (V)I will lengthen your days.”

15 And Solomon (W)awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.

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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) 15 Then Solomon awoke(Z)—and he realized it had been a dream.(AA)

He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings(AB) and fellowship offerings.(AC) Then he gave a feast(AD) for all his court.

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