Solomon Asks for Wisdom at Gibeon

1 Now Solomon the son of David firmly established himself over his kingdom. For Adonai his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.

² Solomon spoke to all Israel—t0 the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges and to every leader in all Israel, the leading patriarchs— ³ and Solomon and the whole assembly with him went to the high place that was at Gibeon, for the Tent of Meeting of God was there, which Moses the servant of Adonai had made in the wilderness. ⁴ Now David had brought up the Ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place that David had prepared for it because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. ⁵ But the bronze altar that Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur had made was there in front of the Tabernacle of Adonai, and Solomon and the assembly inquired of Him there. ⁶ So Solomon went up before Adonai to the bronze altar that was at the Tent of Meeting and offered 1,000 burnt offerings on it.

⁷ That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask! What should I give you?”

⁸ Solomon answered God, “You have shown great lovingkindness to my father David and now You have made me king in his place. ⁹ Now, Adonai Elohim, let Your word to my father David be fulfilled for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. ¹⁰ Now give me wisdom and knowledge that I may go out and come in before this people. For who can govern this great people of Yours?”

¹¹ Then God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart and you have not asked for riches, possessions or honor, nor for the life of those who hate you and have not even asked for long life but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself—so you can govern My people over whom I have made you king— ¹² wisdom and knowledge will be given to you. Moreover, I will give you riches, possessions and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you ever had and none after you will have.”

¹³ Then Solomon went to Jerusalem from the high place that was at Gibeon, from in front of the Tent of Meeting. So he reigned over Israel.

Horses and Chariots from Egypt

¹⁴ Solomon accumulated chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, which he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. ¹⁵ The king made silver and gold as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars as plentiful as sycamores in the foothills. ¹⁶ Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from Keve—the king’s merchants purchased them from Keve at a price. ¹⁷ They imported a chariot from Egypt for 600 talents of silver and a horse for 150. So by the same means they were exported to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Aram.

Solomon Prepares to Build

¹⁸ Then Solomon vowed to build a House for the Name of Adonai, as well as a royal palace for himself.