| 4 The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that
was the most important high place, and Solomon
offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the
night in a dream, and God said, \"Ask for whatever
you want me to give you.\"
6 Solomon answered, \"You have shown great
kindness to your servant, my father David, because
he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in
heart. You have continued this great kindness to
him and have given him a son to sit on his throne
this very day.
7 \"Now, O LORD my God, you have made your
servant king in place of my father David. But I am
only a little child and do not know how to carry out
my duties.
8 Your servant is here among the people you have
chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or
number.
9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern
your people and to distinguish between right and
wrong. For who is able to govern this great people
of yours?\"
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for
this.
11 So God said to him, \"Since you have asked for this
and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have
asked for the death of your enemies but for
discernment in administering justice,
12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a
wise and discerning heart, so that there will never
have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked
for-both riches and honor-so that in your lifetime
you will have no equal among kings.
14 And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes
and commands as David your father did, I will give
you a long life.\"
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