(A)At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon (B)in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”

(C)And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he (D)walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You (E)have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a (F)little child; I do not know how (G)to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You (H)have chosen, a great people, (I)too numerous to be numbered or counted. (J)Therefore give to Your servant an [a]understanding heart (K)to judge Your people, that I may (L)discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

10 The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have (M)not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12 (N)behold, I have done according to your words; (O)see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. 13 And I have also (P)given you what you have not asked: both (Q)riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. 14 So (R)if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, (S)as your father David walked, then I will (T)lengthen[b] your days.”

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 3:9 Lit. hearing
  2. 1 Kings 3:14 prolong

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)

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that the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time, (A)as He had appeared to him at Gibeon.

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the Lord appeared(A) to him a second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon.

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