(4) “And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt-offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. (5) In Gibeon Jehovah appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. (6) And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto Thy servant David my father great loving-kindness, according as he walked before Thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with Thee; and Thou hast kept for him this great loving-kindness, that Thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. (7) And now, O Jehovah my God, Thou hast made Thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child; I know not how to go out or come in. (8) And Thy servant is in the midst of Thy people whom Thou hast chosen, a great people, that can not be numbered nor counted for multitude. (9) Give Thy servant therefore an understanding heart to judge Thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this Thy great people?”
(10) “And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. (11) And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life, neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies, but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern justice; (12) behold, I have done according to thy word: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there hath been none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. (13) And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honor, so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee, all thy days. (14) And if thou wilt walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. (15) And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream: and he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and offered up burnt-offerings, and offered peace-offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.”
Golden Text.— “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Prov. 9:10.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) To what place did King Solomon go? For what purpose? What was the extent of his offering? Why did he go to Gibeon to sacrifice? Verse 4. Note . (2) Who appeared to Solomon at Gibeon? In what manner? What did the Lord say to Solomon? Verse 5. Note . (3) What had God shown to Solomon’s father? According to what? And what had been kept for him? Verse 6. (4) Now what had the Lord done for Solomon? What did Solomon say of his qualification for the position? Verse 7. Note . (5) What did he say of the people over whom the Lord had placed him? Verse 8. (6) For what, therefore, did he ask the Lord? How did he emphasize his own inability? Verse 9. Note . (7) How did the Lord regard this request? Verse 10. (8) What reason did He assign for the answer He was about to give to Solomon’s prayer? Verse 11. (9) Then what answer was given? To what dignity did this raise Solomon? Verse 12. (10) What other gifts were added? In what comparison with those of other kings? Verse 13. Note . (11) Besides these endowments, what conditional promise was made? Verse 14. Note . (12) As Solomon awoke what did he realize? Then where did he go? And what did he do? Verse 15.
