¹⁸ I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.^{(A) 19} And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish?^(B) Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.

Solomon Asks for Wisdom^(A)(B)

1 Solomon son of David established^(C) himself firmly over his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with^(D) him and made him exceedingly great.^(E)

²³ So Solomon sat^(A) on the throne^(B) of the Lord as king in place of his father David. He prospered and all Israel obeyed him.

¹⁵ We are foreigners and strangers^(A) in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow,^(B) without hope.

⁵ Of all my sons—and the Lord has given me many^(A)—he has chosen my son Solomon^(B) to sit on the throne^(C) of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel.

⁶ Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful^(A) to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son^(B) to sit on his throne this very day.

⁷ “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child^(C) and do not know how to carry out my duties.

¹² So Solomon sat on the throne^(A) of his father David, and his rule was firmly established.^(B)