Study Desk

^(k)In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon ^(l)in a dream at night; and God said, "^(m)Ask what you wish Me to give you."

Then Solomon said, "⁽ⁿ⁾You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, ^(o)according as he walked before You in ^[b]truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and ^(p)You have ^[c]reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

Now, O Lord my God, ^(q)You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet ^(r)I am but a little child; ^(s)I do not know how to go out or come in.

^(t)Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, ^(u)a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted.

So ^(v)give Your servant ^[d]an understanding heart to judge Your people ^(w)to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this ^[e]great people of Yours?"

^[f]It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing.

God said to him, "Because you have asked this thing and have ^(x)not asked for yourself ^[g]long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself ^[h]discernment to understand justice,

behold, ^(y)I have done according to your words. Behold, ^(z)I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you.

^(aa)I have also given you what you have not asked, both ^(ab)riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days.

^(ac)If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will ^(ad)prolong your days."

Then ^(ae)Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and made peace offerings, and ^(af)made a feast for all his servants.