1 Kings 3:5-12

New King James Version

^5 (A)At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon ^(B)in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”

^6 (C)And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he ^(D)walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You ^(E)have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. ⁷ Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a ^(F)little child; I do not know how ^(G)to go out or come in. ⁸ And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You ^(H)have chosen, a great people, ^(I)too numerous to be numbered or counted. ^9 (J)Therefore give to Your servant an ^[a]understanding heart ^(K)to judge Your people, that I may ^(L)discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

¹⁰ The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. ¹¹ Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have ^(M)not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, ^12 (N)behold, I have done according to your words; ^(O)see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.