Chapter 36—Solomon
The hearts of the people were turned toward Solomon, as they
were to David, and they obey him in all things. The Lord sends his
angel to instruct Solomon by a dream, in the night season. He dreams
that God converses with him. “And God said, Ask what I shall give
thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David,
my father, great mercy, 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 kindness, that thou hast given him a son
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to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O Lord, 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. And thy servant is in
the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that
cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give, therefore, thy
servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern
between good and bad; for who is able to judge this thy so great a
people?
“And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this
thing. 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 judgment, behold, I have done according to
thy word. Lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart, so
that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any
arise like unto thee. 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. 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.”
God promises that as he has been with David, he will be with
Solomon. If he will walk before the Lord in integrity of heart, and in
uprightness, to do according to all that God commanded him, and if
he will keep his statutes and judgments, he promises to establish his
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