For this is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘The jar of flour will not be empty and the jug of oil will not run out until the day the Lord makes it rain on the surface of the ground.’”

Let them bring us two bulls. Let them choose one of the bulls for themselves, cut it up into pieces, and place it on the wood. But they must not set it on fire. I will do the same to the other bull and place it on the wood. But I will not set it on fire.

and said this: ‘The Lord God of Israel is worthy of praise because today he has placed a successor on my throne and allowed me to see it.’”

He said, “Please ask King Solomon if he would give me Abishag the Shunammite as a wife, for he won’t refuse you.”

One night in Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream. God said, “Tell me what I should give you.”

I grant your request, and give you a wise and discerning mind superior to that of anyone who has preceded or will succeed you.

Furthermore, I am giving you what you did not request – riches and honor so that you will be the greatest king of your generation.

The king then said, “Cut the living child in two, and give half to one and half to the other!”

The king responded, “Give the first woman the living child; don’t kill him. She is the mother.”

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment; the breadth of his understanding was as infinite as the sand on the seashore.

So the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as he had promised him. And Hiram and Solomon were at peace and made a treaty.

then listen from heaven, forgive the sin of your people Israel, and bring them back to the land you gave to their ancestors.

Then they will obey you throughout their lifetimes as they live on the land you gave to our ancestors.

Forgive all the rebellious acts of your sinful people and cause their captors to have mercy on them.

When Hiram went out from Tyre to inspect the cities Solomon had given him, he was not pleased with them.

Hiram asked, “Why did you give me these cities, my friend?” He called that area the region of Cabul, a name which it has retained to this day.

Solomon did not assign Israelites to these work crews; the Israelites served as his soldiers, attendants, officers, charioteers, and commanders of his chariot forces.

He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold were used for each of these shields. The king placed them in the Palace of the Lebanon Forest.

Everyone in the world wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom.

But I will not tear away the entire kingdom; I will leave your son one tribe for my servant David’s sake and for the sake of my chosen city Jerusalem.”