1 Kings 3:1-13 ▼

1 And Solomon joined in marriage with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he took the daughter of Pharaoh and brought her in to the City of David, until his completing to build his own house, and the house of YHWH, and the wall all around Jerusalem.

2 Only, the people sacrificed at the high places, because there had not been built a house for the name of YHWH until those days.

3 And Solomon loved YHWH, walking in the statutes of David his father; only at the high places he sacrificed and burned incense.

4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.

5 At Gibeon YHWH appeared to Solomon in a dream by the night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give to you.”

6 And Solomon said, “You have shown to Your servant David my father great loving devotion, because he walked before You in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You, and You have continued for him this great loving devotion, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

7 And now, O YHWH my God, You have made Your servant to reign in place of David my father, and I am a little child. I do not know going out or coming in.

8 And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a people numerous that is not to be numbered and not to be counted for multitude.

9 And give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

10 And the word was good in the eyes of the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

11 And God said to him, “Because that you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, and not have asked for yourself riches, and not have asked the life of your enemies, and you have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice—

12 behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given to you a wise heart and understanding, so that there has been none like you before you, and after you shall none arise like you.

13 And also what you have not asked, I have given to you, both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.