1 Kings 3:1-13

1 Kings 3:1-13

[1] And Solomon  made affinity  with Pharaoh  king  of Egypt,  and took  Pharaoh's  daughter,  and brought  her into the city  of David,  until he had made an end  of building  his own house,  of the LORD,  and the wall  of Jerusalem  round about.  [2] Only the people  sacrificed  in high places,  because there was no house  built  unto the name  of the LORD,  until those days.  [3] And Solomon  loved  the LORD,  in the statutes  of David  his father:  only he sacrificed  and burnt incense  in high places.  [4] And the king  to Gibeon  to sacrifice  there; for that  was the great  high place:  a thousand  burnt offerings  did Solomon  offer  upon that altar.  [5] In Gibeon  the LORD  appeared  to Solomon  in a dream  by night:  and God  said,  Ask  what I shall give  thee. [6] And Solomon  said,  Thou hast shewed  unto thy servant  David  my father  great  mercy,  according as he walked  before  thee in truth,  and in righteousness,  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  my God,  thou hast made thy servant  king  instead of David  my father:  and I am but a little  child:  I know  not how to go out  or come in.  [8] And thy servant  is in the midst  of thy people  which thou hast chosen,  a great  people,  that cannot be numbered  nor counted  for multitude.  [9] Give  therefore thy servant  an understanding  heart  to judge  thy people,  that I may discern  between good  and bad:  for who is able  to judge  this thy so great  a people?  [10] And the speech  pleased  the Lord,  that Solomon  had asked  this thing.  [11] And God  said  unto him, Because thou hast asked  this thing,  and hast not asked  for thyself long  life;  neither hast asked  riches  for thyself, nor hast asked  the life  of thine enemies;  but hast asked  for thyself understanding  to discern  judgment;  [12] Behold, I have done  according to thy words:  lo, I have given  thee a wise  and an understanding  heart;  so that there was none like thee before  thee, neither after  thee shall any arise  like unto thee. [13] And I have also given  thee that which thou hast not asked,  both riches,  and honour:  so that there shall not be any  among the kings  like unto thee all thy days.