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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.

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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 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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