5. One night in Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream. God said, “Tell me what I should give you.”
6. Solomon replied, “You demonstrated great loyalty to your servant, my father David, as he served you faithfully, properly, and sincerely. You have maintained this great loyalty to this day by allowing his son to sit on his throne.
7. Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in my father David’s place, even though I am only a young man and am inexperienced.
8. Your servant stands among your chosen people; they are a great nation that is too numerous to count or number.
9. So give your servant a discerning mind so he can make judicial decisions for your people and distinguish right from wrong. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours.”
10. The Lord was pleased that Solomon made this request.
11. God said to him, “Because you asked for the ability to make wise judicial decisions, and not for long life, or riches, or vengeance on your enemies,
12. I grant your request, and give you a wise and discerning mind superior to that of anyone who has preceded or will succeed you.