³ 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)

⁴ 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. ⁵ 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.”

⁶ 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.

⁷ “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. ⁸ Your servant is here among the people you have chosen,^(L) a great people, too numerous to count or number.^{(M) 9} 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.