1 Kings 3:1-13 ▼

1 AND Solomon became the son-in-law to Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David, until he had finished building his own house and the house of the LORD and the wall of Jerusalem round about.

2 The people sacrificed only in high places, because there was no house yet built to the name of the LORD, until those days.

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

4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place; a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon the altar which was in Gibeon.

5 Then the LORD appeared to Solomon in a vision by night; and God said to him, Ask that which I should give you.

6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shown to thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth and in faithfulness and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne as it is this day.

7 And now, O LORD God, thou hast made thy servant king in place of David my father; and I am but a little child; I know not how to go out or come in among thy people, whom thou hast chosen,

8 A great people that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

9 Give therefore to thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people and to discern between good and bad; for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

10 And it pleased the LORD because Solomon had asked this thing.

11 And the LORD said to Solomon, Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself riches, neither have you asked the lives of your enemies nor have you asked for yourself long life, but have asked for yourself wisdom to discern judgment;

12 Behold, I have done according to your words; lo, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has been none like you before you, neither shall any arise after you like you.

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