At Gibeon the Lord appeared(A) to Solomon during the night in a dream,(B) and God said, “Ask(C) 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(D) to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son(E) 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(F) and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen,(G) a great people, too numerous to count or number.(H) So give your servant a discerning(I) heart to govern your people and to distinguish(J) between right and wrong. For who is able(K) 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(L) for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment(M) in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked.(N) I will give you a wise(O) 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(P) asked for—both wealth and honor(Q)—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal(R) among kings. 14 And if you walk(S) in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”(T) 15 Then Solomon awoke(U)—and he realized it had been a dream.(V)

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

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At Giv‘on Adonai appeared to Shlomo in a dream at night; God said, “Tell me what I should give you.” Shlomo said, “You showed your servant David my father much grace, as he lived before you honestly and righteously, having an upright heart with you. You preserved this great grace for him by giving him a son to sit on his throne, as is the case today. So now, Adonai my God, you have made your servant king in the place of David my father; but I am a mere child — I don’t know how to lead! Moreover your servant is among your people, whom you chose, a great people so numerous that they cannot be counted. Therefore, give your servant an understanding heart able to administer justice to your people, so that I can discern between good and bad — for who is equal to judging this great people of yours?”

10 What Shlomo had said in making this request pleased Adonai. 11 God said to him, “Because you have made this request instead of asking long life or riches for yourself, or your enemies’ death, but rather asked for yourself understanding to discern justice; 12 I am doing what you requested. I am giving you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you, nor will there ever again be anyone like you. 13 I am also giving you what you didn’t ask for, riches and honor greater than that of any other king throughout your life. 14 More than that, if you will live according to my ways, obeying my laws and mitzvot like your father David, I will give you a long life.”

15 Shlomo awoke and found it had been a dream. But he went to Yerushalayim, stood before the ark for the covenant of Adonai and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings. He also made a feast for all his servants.

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