Add parallel Print Page Options

And (A)Solomon loved Yahweh, (B)walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. (C)And the king went to (D)Gibeon to sacrifice there, (E)for that was the great high place; Solomon offered one thousand burnt offerings on that altar. (F)In Gibeon, Yahweh appeared to Solomon (G)in a dream at night; and God said, “(H)Ask what I should give to you.”

God Gives Wisdom to Solomon

Then Solomon said, “(I)You have shown great lovingkindness to Your slave David my father, (J)according to how he walked before You in [a]truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and (K)You have kept for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. So now, O Yahweh my God, (L)You have made Your slave king in place of my father David, yet (M)I am but a little child; (N)I do not know how to go out or come in. (O)And Your slave is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, (P)a numerous people who are too many to be numbered or counted. So (Q)give Your slave a listening heart to judge Your people (R)to discern between good and evil. For who is able to [b]judge this glorious people of Yours?”

10 [c]And it was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and have (S)not asked for yourself [d]long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to listen to justice, 12 behold, (T)I have done according to your words. Behold, (U)I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. 13 (V)I have also given you what you have not asked, both (W)riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. 14 (X)Now if you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will (Y)prolong your days.”

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 3:6 Or faithfulness
  2. 1 Kings 3:9 Or do justice for
  3. 1 Kings 3:10 Lit the thing
  4. 1 Kings 3:11 Lit many days

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 1,000 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[a] integrity. 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[c] people too numerous to be numbered or counted.(M) So give Your servant an obedient 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[d] or riches for yourself,(P) or the death[e] of your enemies, but you asked discernment for yourself to understand 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 man in any kingdom 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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 3:6 Lit and with You
  2. 1 Kings 3:7 Lit am a little youth and do not know to go out or come in
  3. 1 Kings 3:8 Lit chosen many
  4. 1 Kings 3:11 Lit for many days
  5. 1 Kings 3:11 Lit life