^aSolomon the son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and ^bmade him exceedingly great.

2 Solomon spoke to all Israel, ^ato the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and to the judges and to every leader in all Israel, the heads of the fathers’ (ancestors’) households. 3 Then Solomon and all the assembly went to ^athe high place at Gibeon to offer sacrifices, where the Canaanites had habitually worshiped, ^bfor God’s Tent of Meeting was there, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness. 4 But David had brought up ^athe ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to ^bthe place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. 5 Now ^athe bronze altar, which Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made was there before the tabernacle of the LORD, and Solomon and the assembly sought it out. 6 And Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the LORD at the Tent of Meeting, and ^aoffered a thousand burnt offerings on it.

7 ^aThat night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask what I shall give to you.”

8 Then Solomon said to God, “You have shown great lovingkindness and mercy to my father David, and ^ahave made me king in his place. 9 Now, O LORD God, ^aYour promise to my father David is fulfilled, for You have made me king over ^ba people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 ^aGive me wisdom and knowledge, ^bso that I may go out and come in performing my duties before this people, for otherwise who can rule and administer justice to this great people of Yours?” 11 ^aGod replied to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart and you did not ask for riches, possessions or honor and personal glory, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself so that you may rule and administer justice to My people over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge have been granted you. ^aI will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor will those who will come after you.” 13 ^aSo Solomon went from the high place at Gibeon, from the Tent of Meeting, to Jerusalem. And he reigned over Israel.

14 ^aSolomon acquired chariots and horsemen; ^bhe had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, and he stationed them in the ^ccities suited for the use of chariots and with the king at Jerusalem. 15 ^aThe king made ^bsilver and gold as plentiful and common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedar as plentiful as the ¹sycamore-fig trees in the lowland. 16 Solomon’s ^ahorses were imported from Egypt and from ¹Kue. The king’s merchants purchased them in large numbers from Kue ²at a price. 17 And they imported chariots from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver apiece, and horses for 150 apiece; and in the same way they exported horses to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Arameans (Syrians) .

Now ^aSolomon the son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and ^bexalted him greatly.

2 Solomon spoke to all Israel, ^ato the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and to the judges and to every leader in all Israel, the heads of the fathers’ households. 3 Then Solomon and all the assembly with him went to ^athe high place which was at Gibeon, ^bfor God’s tent of meeting was there, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness. 4 However, David had brought up ^athe ark of God from Kiriath-jearim ¹to ^bthe place he had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. 5 Now ^athe bronze altar, which Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, ¹was there before the tabernacle of the LORD, and Solomon and the assembly sought it out. 6 Solomon went up there before the LORD to the bronze altar which was at the tent of meeting, and ^aoffered a thousand burnt offerings on it.

7 ^aIn that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.”

8 Solomon said to God, “You have dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and ^ahave made me king in his place. 9 Now, O LORD God, ^aYour ¹promise to my father David is fulfilled, for You have made me king over ^ba people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 ^aGive me now wisdom and knowledge, ^bthat I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?” 11 ^aGod said to Solomon, “Because ¹you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, 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 rule My people over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And ^aI will give you riches and wealth and honor, ¹such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will ²come after you.” 13 ^aSo Solomon went ¹from the high place which was at Gibeon, from the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem, and he reigned over Israel.

14 ^aSolomon amassed chariots and horsemen. ^bHe had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, and he stationed them in ^cthe chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem. 15 ^aThe king made ^bsilver and gold as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as plentiful as sycamores in the ¹lowland. 16 Solomon’s ^ahorses were imported from Egypt and from Kue; the king’s traders procured them from Kue for a price. 17 They ¹imported chariots from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver apiece and horses for 150 apiece, and ²by the same means they ³exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Aram.