1 Kings 3

Solomon Asks for Wisdom

1 Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He married Pharaoh’s daughter and brought her to the City of David, until he finished building his own house, the temple, and the city walls.

2 Back then, the people still sacrificed on the high places because the temple had not been built yet.

3 Solomon loved the Lord, but he still offered sacrifices at the high places, just like his father David used to do.

4 He went to Gibeon, the top worship spot, and sacrificed a thousand burnt offerings on the altar.

5 That night in Gibeon, the Lord pulled up in a dream. God said, “Ask Me for whatever you want.”

6 Solomon said, “You showed deep love to my father David, he walked in truth, loyalty, and integrity. And You gave him a son to sit on his throne. That is me now.”

7 “I am young, Lord, I do not know what I am doing. I am just a kid trying to lead.”

8 “Here I am, your servant, standing in the middle of your people, a nation too big to count.”

9 “So give me a heart that hears, wisdom to lead, sense to tell right from wrong. Who can handle leading your people without it?”

10 God liked Solomon’s request.

11 He said, “Since you did not ask for money, power, or to flex on your enemies, and instead asked for wisdom.

12 I got you. I will give you more wisdom and understanding than anybody before or after you.”

13 “And I am going to give you what you did not ask for too, riches and honor, more than any other king.”

14 “If you walk in My ways like your father did, I will give you a long life too.”

15 Solomon woke up, realized it was a dream. He went to Jerusalem, stood before the Ark of the Covenant, gave offerings, and threw a feast for his crew.

Solomon Judges a Wild Case

16 Two women who were prostitutes came to the king with a case.

17 One said, “Me and her live in the same house. I had a baby while she was there.

18 Three days later, she had a baby too. No one else was in the house, just us and the babies.”

19 “Her baby died in the night because she rolled over on him.”

20 “She got up while I was sleeping, took my son, and laid her dead one next to me. I woke up to feed my boy and found him dead, but when I looked close, it was not my baby.”

21 “But she is saying the living one is hers, and the dead one is mine.”

22 The other woman said, “Nah, the living baby is mine, and the dead one is hers.”

They Kept Going Back and Forth in Front of the King.

23 Solomon said, “Okay, one of you all says the living child is hers, and the other says the same thing.

24 Bring me a sword.” So they brought it.

25 He said, “Cut the living baby in half, give half to each woman.”

26 The real mom screamed, “No, my lord! Let her have the baby! Just do not kill him!”

But the Other Woman Said, “Go Ahead, Cut Him. If I Cannot Have Him, She Cannot Either.”

27 Solomon said, “Give the baby to the first woman, she is the real mom.”

28 When all Israel heard what Solomon had done, they respected him deeply. They saw God had given him real wisdom to serve justice.