God makes Solomon wise and rich
1And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD
his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.
2Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of
hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief
of the fathers.
God was with Solomon [
1] and magnified him exceedingly.
3
So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that
was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God,
which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.
4
But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjathjearim to the place
which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at
Jerusalem.
5
Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur,
had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the
congregation sought unto it.
Solomon led everyone in Israel to the high place in Gibeon [
2],
6
And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was
at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt
offerings upon it.
where he sacrificed 1000 burnt offerings.
7In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I
shall give thee.
That night, God appeared to Solomon and said,
What would you like me to give to you?
8
And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my
father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.
9
Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for
thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in
multitude.
Solomon said to God,
You've made me king over people who are as numerous as dust on the earth.
10
Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before
this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
Now I'd like you to give me wisdom and knowledge.
11And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast
not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither
yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself,
that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
God said to Solomon,
Okay, I'll give you wisdom and knowledge.
12
Wisdom and knowledge is
granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such
as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall
there any after thee have the like.
13
Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to
Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over
Israel.
14
And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four
hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the
chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
I'll also make you wealthy, since you didn't ask for it.
In fact, I'll make you the richest person who has ever lived, or ever will live.
15
And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and
cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the vale for
abundance.
16
And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's
merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
17
And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six
hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so
brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings
of Syria, by their means.
King Solomon made silver and gold as plentiful as stones in Jerusalem.