Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom 1Now Solomon (peace) son of David (beloved) established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD his God {YHWH Elohaw} was with him and highly exalted him. 2Then Solomon (peace) spoke to all Israel (he wrestles with God), to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to every leader in all Israel—the heads of the families. 3And Solomon (peace) and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon (hill city) because it was the location of God’s Tent of Meeting, which Moses (drawn out) the servant of the LORD {YHWH} had made in the wilderness. 4Now David (beloved) (city of forests) had brought the ark of God {Elohim} from Kiriath-jearim to the place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem (city of peace). 5But the bronze altar made by Bezalel (in the shadow of God) son of Uri (fiery), the son of Hur (hole), was in Gibeon before [was there before; MT he placed before]a the tabernacle of the LORD {YHWH}. So Solomon (peace) and the assembly inquired of Him there. 6Solomon (peace) offered sacrifices there before the LORD {YHWH} on the bronze altar at the Tent of Meeting, where he offered a thousand burnt offerings. 7That night God {Elohim} appeared to Solomon (peace) and said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!” 8Solomon (peace) replied to God {Elohim}: “You have shown much loving devotion {chesed}b to my father David (beloved), and You have made me king in his place. 9Now, O LORD God {YHWH Elohim}, let Your promise to my father David (beloved) be fulfilled. For You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people \so that I may go out before this people and come in/.c For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” 11God {Elohim} said to Solomon (peace), “Since this was in your heart instead of requesting riches or wealth or honor for yourself or death for your enemies—and since you have not even requested long life but have asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern My people over whom I have made you king— 12therefore wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will also give you riches and wealth and honor unlike anything given to the kings before you or after you.” 13So Solomon (peace) went to Jerusalem (city of peace) from the high place in Gibeon (hill city), from before the Tent of Meeting, and he reigned over Israel (he wrestles with God). Solomon’s Riches 14Solomon (peace) accumulated \Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had/d 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses (horsemen),e which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem (city of peace). 15The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem (city of peace) as stones, and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills {Shephelah}.f 16Solomon’s (peace) horses were imported from Egypt (land of bondage) and Kue (Cilicia);g the royal merchants purchased them from Kue. 17A chariot could be imported from Egypt (land of bondage) for six hundred shekels of silver <15.1 lb / 6.8 kg>,h and a horse for a hundred and fifty <3.8 lb / 1.7 kg>.i Likewise, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Aram (exalted). Footnotes: 5 a LXX, Vulgate, and some Hebrew manuscripts was there before; MT he placed before 8 b Forms of the Hebrew chesed are translated here and in most cases throughout the Scriptures as loving devotion; the range of meaning includes love, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and mercy, as well as loyalty to a covenant. 10 c Literally so that I may go out before this people and come in 14 d Literally Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had 14 e Or horsemen or charioteers 15 f Hebrew Shephelah or lowlands; that is, the western foothills of Judea 16 g Probably an area in Cilicia, a province in the southeast of Asia Minor 17 h 600 shekels is approximately 15.1 pounds or 6.8 kilograms of silver. 17 i 150 shekels is approximately 3.8 pounds or 1.7 kilograms of silver. The Berean Annotated Bible (BAB) is the Annotated version of the Berean Standard Bible (BSB). The BAB includes over 50,000 points of emphasis using the following system: (Emphasis and Names) {Hebrew and Greek} [Alternate Manuscripts] \Literal translation/ <Measurements and Crossrefs> Second Person Plural: you⁺ your⁺ yours⁺ This version is an early draft and is now in the stage of proofing, consistency checking, and public comment. Please note that meanings for Biblical names are based on Hebrew and Greek roots and can be somewhat subjective. Feel free to Contact us with suggestions or corrections. We are still adding points of emphasis wherever helpful. |
    |