9. So give me a heart that understands. Then I can rule over your people. I can tell the difference between what is right and what is wrong. Who can possibly rule over this great nation of yours?"
10. The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for that.
11. So God said to him, "You have not asked to live for a long time. You have not asked to be wealthy. You have not even asked to have your enemies killed. Instead, you have asked for understanding. You want to do what is right and fair when you judge people. Because that is what you have asked for,
12. I will give it to you. I will give you a wise and understanding heart. So here is what will be true of you. There has never been anyone like you. And there never will be.
13. "And that is not all. I will give you what you have not asked for. I will give you riches and honor. As long as you live, no other king will be as great as you are.
14. Live the way I want you to. Obey my laws and commands, just as your father David did. Then I will let you live for a long time."
15. Solomon woke up. He realized he had been dreaming. He returned to Jerusalem. He stood in front of the ark of the Lord's covenant. He sacrificed burnt offerings and friendship offerings. Then he gave a big dinner for all of his officials.
16. Two prostitutes came to the king. They stood in front of him.
17. One of them said, "My master, this woman and I live in the same house. I had a baby while she was there with me.
18. Three days after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone. There wasn't anyone in the house but the two of us.
19. "During the night this woman's baby died. It happened because she was lying on top of him.
20. So she got up in the middle of the night. She took my son from my side while I was asleep. She put him by her breast. Then she put her dead son by my breast.
21. The next morning, I got up to nurse my son. But he was dead! I looked at him closely in the morning light. And I saw that it wasn't my baby."