5 At Gibeon the Lord appearedx to Solomon during the night in a dream,y and God said, “Askz for whatever you want me to give you.”

6 Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithfula to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a sonb to sit on his throne this very day.

7 “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little childc and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen,d a great people, too numerous to count or number.e 9 So give your servant a discerningf heart to govern your people and to distinguishg between right and wrong. For who is ableh to govern this great people of yours?”

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have askedi for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernmentj in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked.k I will give you a wisel and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.