²³ They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller^(A) than any of the others. ²⁴ Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the Lord has chosen?^(B) There is no one like^(C) him among all the people.”

Then the people shouted, “Long live^(D) the king!”

⁴ As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods,^(A) and his heart was not fully devoted^(B) to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.

⁹ “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion^(A) and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart^(B) and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him,^(C) he will be found by you; but if you forsake^(D) him, he will reject^(E) you forever.

¹⁵ He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves^(A) in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts.^(B) What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

²⁴ Then they prayed,^(A) “Lord, you know everyone’s heart.^(B) Show us^(C) which of these two you have chosen