WISDOM 2 - I Kings 3:5-14

 

5 ¶In ^aGibeon the Lord ^bappeared to Solomon in a ^cdream 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 ^alittle 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 ^agreat people, that cannot be ^bnumbered nor counted for multitude.

 9 Give therefore thy servant an ^aunderstanding ^bheart to judge thy people, that I may ^cdiscern 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 ^ariches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine ^benemies; but hast asked for thyself ^cunderstanding to discern judgment;

 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have ^agiven thee a ^bwise 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 ^ariches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my ^acommandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.