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Solomon loved Yahweh, walking in the statutes of David his father; except that he sacrificed and burned incense in the high places. The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. In Gibeon, Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask for what I should give you.”

Solomon said, “You have shown to your servant David my father great loving kindness, because he walked before you in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you. You have kept for him this great loving kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today. Now, Yahweh my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father. I am just a little child. I don’t know how to go out or come in. Your servant is among your people which you have chosen, a great people, that can’t be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this great people of yours?”

10 This request pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have you asked for riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice; 12 behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart; so that there has been no one like you before you, and after you none will arise like you. 13 I have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you for all your days. 14 If you will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

15 Solomon awoke; and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, and offered up burnt offerings, offered peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.

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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.

The king went to Gibeon(C) to sacrifice there because it was the most famous high place. He offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.(D) At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon(E) in a dream at night.(F) God said, “Ask.(G) What should I give you?”

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 integrity.[a] 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)

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) Your servant is among your people you have chosen,(L) a people too many to be numbered or counted.(M) So give your servant a receptive 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[c] or riches for yourself,(P) or the death[d] of your enemies, but you asked discernment for yourself to administer 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 king 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.

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Footnotes

  1. 3:6 Lit and uprightness of heart with you
  2. 3:7 Lit am a little youth and do not know to go out or come in
  3. 3:11 Lit for many days
  4. 3:11 Lit life