1 Kings 3:5-15
3:5 One night in Gibeon the
Lord appeared
to Solomon in a dream. God said, “Tell
me what I should give you.”
3:6 Solomon replied, “You demonstrated
great loyalty to your servant, my father David, as he served
you faithfully, properly, and sincerely.
You have maintained this great loyalty to this day by allowing his son to sit on his throne.
3:7 Now, O
Lord my God, you have made your servant king in my father David’s place, even though I am only a young man and am inexperienced.
3:8 Your servant stands
among your chosen people;
they are a great nation that is too numerous to count or number.
3:9 So give your servant a discerning mind
so he can make judicial decisions for
your people and distinguish right from wrong.
Otherwise
no one is able
to make judicial decisions for
this great nation of yours.”
3:10 The Lord
was pleased that Solomon made this request.
3:11 God said to him, “Because you asked for the ability to make wise judicial decisions, and not for long life, or riches, or vengeance on your enemies,
3:12 I
grant your request,
and give
you a wise and discerning mind
superior to that of anyone who has preceded or will succeed you.
3:13 Furthermore, I am giving
you what you did not request – riches and honor so that you will be the greatest king of your generation.
3:14 If you follow my instructions
by obeying
my rules and regulations, just as your father David did,
then I will grant you long life.”
3:15 Solomon then woke up and realized it was a dream.
He went to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant, offered up burnt sacrifices, presented peace offerings,
and held a feast for all his servants.
Proverbs 3:5-6
3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding.
3:6 Acknowledge him in all your ways,
and he will make your paths straight.