(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?”

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 3:9 Lit. hearing

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?”

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