Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Solomon formed an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt, taking his daughter as wife. He brought her to the city of David until he had completed building his own house, the temple of the Lord, and the wall surrounding Jerusalem.

The people continued to sacrifice at high places because there was no dedicated house for the name of the Lord until those days. Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David. However, he also sacrificed and burned incense in high places.

One day, the king went to Gibeon to make a sacrifice, as that was the great high place where he had offered many burnt offerings on the altar. In Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, saying, "Ask what I shall give you." Solomon replied, "You have shown great kindness to your servant David my father because he walked before you with truth and righteousness of heart. You kept for him this great kindness, giving him a son to sit on his throne as is the case today."

The king continued, "Now, Lord my God, you have made me king instead of David my father. I am only a young man, unaware of how to lead or rule. Your servant is among your people whom you have chosen and multiplied greatly." Solomon asked for an understanding heart to judge his people, so he could distinguish between good and evil, for who is capable of governing such a vast and numerous population?

The Lord was pleased with the king's request, which focused on wisdom rather than long life or riches. God said, "Because you have asked for understanding to discern justice and not for yourself long life, riches, or the lives of your enemies, I have done as you requested and given you a wise and discerning heart." The Lord also gave Solomon wealth and honor beyond that which he had asked, so there would be no equal among kings like him during his reign.

If Solomon walked in God's ways, keeping His statutes and commandments, just as David did, then the Lord promised to lengthen his days. After the dream faded, Solomon awoke, came to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, offered sacrifices, made peace offerings, and held a feast for all his servants.

Two women who were prostitutes approached the king and stood before him. One woman claimed that she had given birth to a child in the same house as the other woman three days after they both delivered their babies while alone together. However, her child died overnight because it was placed on top of her dead baby. The second woman admitted to switching the babies when the first woman was asleep.

The king said, "One claims this living child is hers and the dead one belongs to you, but the other says, 'No, the dead child is yours, and mine is the living one.'" The king requested a sword, and they brought it before him. He instructed the women, "Divide the living child in two and give half to one woman and half to the other."

One woman begged the king not to let her son die, while the other demanded that the baby be divided between them. The king decided to give the living child to the first woman, recognizing her as its mother. This wise decision was heard by all of Israel, who feared the king and saw that God's wisdom was in him.

As a result of this remarkable judgment, Solomon's fame spread throughout the land, and people came from all around to hear his decisions and wisdom.