Solomon Goes Before Yahweh

1Now Solomon the son of David strengthened himself over his kingdom, and [†]Yahweh his God was with him and highly exalted him.

2And Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and to the judges and to every leader in all Israel, the heads of the fathers’ households. 3Then Solomon and all the assembly with him went to the high place which was at Gibeon, for God’s tent of meeting was there, which Moses the servant of Yahweh had made in the wilderness. 4However, David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim [†]to the place he had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. 5Now the bronze altar, which Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, [†]was there before the tabernacle of Yahweh, and Solomon and the assembly sought it out. 6And Solomon went up there before Yahweh to the bronze altar which was at the tent of meeting, and offered one thousand burnt offerings on it.

7In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask what I should give to you.”

God Gives Wisdom to Solomon

8Then Solomon said to God, “You have shown great lovingkindness to my father David, and have made me king in his place. 9Now, O Yahweh God, let Your [†]promise to my father David [†]endure, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can do justice for this great people of Yours?” 11And God said to Solomon, “Because [†]you had this in your heart, and did not ask for riches, wealth, or glory, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may do justice for My people over whom I have made you king, 12wisdom and knowledge have been given to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and glory, [†]such as none of the kings who were before you had nor those who will [†]come after you.” 13So Solomon went [†]from the high place which was at Gibeon, from the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem, and he reigned over Israel.

Solomon’s Chariots and Horsemen

14And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen. And he had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, and he stationed them in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. 15The king also made silver and gold as plentiful as stones in Jerusalem, and he made cedars as plentiful as sycamore trees that are in the [†]Shephelah. 16Solomon’s import of horses was from Egypt and from Kue; the king’s merchants procured them from Kue for a price. 17And they [†]imported a chariot from Egypt for [†]600 shekels of silver and a horse for [†]150; and [†]by the same means they [†]exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Aram.