1Solomon, son of David, strengthened his position over the kingdom. The LORD his God was with him and made him very powerful.

2Solomon spoke to all Israel-to the commanders of regiments and battalions, judges, every prince, and the heads of Israel's families. 3Then Solomon and the entire assembly went to the place of worship in Gibeon because God's tent of meeting was there. Moses, the LORD's servant, had made the tent in the desert. 4(However, David had [already] brought God's ark from Kiriath Jearim to a place he had prepared for it. He had put up a tent for it in Jerusalem.) 5The bronze altar that Bezalel, son of Uri and grandson of Hur, had made was in front of the LORD's tent. There Solomon and the assembly worshiped the LORD. 6In the LORD's presence Solomon went to the bronze altar in front of the tent of meeting and sacrificed 1,000 burnt offerings on it.

7That night God appeared to Solomon. He said, "What can I give you?"

8Solomon responded to God, "You've shown great love to my father David, and you've made me king in his place. 9Now, LORD God, you've kept the promise you made to my father David. You've made me king of people who are as numerous as specks of dust on the ground. 10Give me wisdom and knowledge so that I may lead these people. After all, who can judge this great people of yours?" 11God replied to Solomon, "I know this request is from your heart. You didn't ask for riches, fortunes, honor, or the death of those who hate you. You didn't even ask for a long life. Instead, you've asked for wisdom and knowledge to judge my people, over whom I made you king. 12So wisdom and knowledge will be given to you. I will also give you riches, fortunes, and honor like no other king before or after you." 13Solomon went from the tent of meeting at the place of worship in Gibeon to Jerusalem. And he ruled Israel.

14Solomon built up [his army] with chariots and war horses. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 war horses. He stationed [some] in chariot cities and [others] with himself in Jerusalem. 15The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as plentiful as fig trees in the foothills. 16Solomon's horses were imported from Egypt and Kue. The king's traders bought them from Kue for a fixed price. 17They imported each chariot from Egypt for 15 pounds of silver and each horse for 6 ounces of silver. For the same price they obtained horses to export to all the Hittite and Aramean kings.