Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Solomon Asks God for Wisdom

⁷ That very night God appeared to Solomon and told him, “Ask what I am to give you.”

⁸ Solomon replied to God, “You showed great gracious love to my father David, and have established me as king in his place. ⁹ Now, Lord God, your promise to my father David is fulfilled, because you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. ¹⁰ Give me wisdom now, so I may go in and out among^[a] this people, because who can rule this great people that belongs to you?

¹¹ God told Solomon, “Since you had this in mind,^[b] to ask neither to focus on riches, wealth, honor, or the lives of those who hate you, nor have you requested a long life, but instead you have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, so that you may rule my people over whom I have established you as king, ¹² wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. Furthermore, I will give you riches, wealth, and honor—such as none of the kings owned who lived before you and none after you are to ever attain their equal.”

Solomon’s Wealth^(A)

¹³ So Solomon returned from the Tent of Meeting at the high place in Gibeon to Jerusalem, where he reigned over Israel.

The Unknown Day and Hour of the Messiah’s Return^(A)

³² “No one knows when that day or hour will come^[a]—neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Be careful! Watch out! Because you don’t know when the time will come. ³⁴ It’s like a man who went on a trip. As he left home, he put his servants in charge, each with his own work, and he ordered the doorkeeper to be alert. ³⁵ So keep on watching, because you don’t know when the master of the house is coming—whether in the middle of the night, at the time the cock crows,^[b] or at daybreak. ³⁶ Otherwise, he may come suddenly and find you asleep. ³⁷ I’m telling you what I’m telling everyone: Be alert!”