³ 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.

⁴ 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) 5} At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon^(E) in a dream at night.^(F) God said, “Ask.^(G) What should I give you?”

⁶ 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)

⁷ “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) 8} Your servant is among Your people You have chosen,^(L) a^[c] people too numerous to be numbered or counted.^{(M) 9} 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.