God

The king summoned Shim'i and said to him, "Didn't I have you swear by ADONAI and forewarn you by telling you, 'Know for a fact that on the day you leave and go anywhere outside the city, you will certainly die'? and you answered me, 'What you're saying is good; I hear it.'

Why, then, haven't you kept the oath of ADONAI and the mitzvah I charged you with?"

Moreover, the king said to Shim'i, "You know in your own heart all the terrible things you did to David my father; therefore ADONAI will bring back your wickedness on your own head.

But King Shlomo will be blessed, and the throne of David will be established before ADONAI forever."

Shlomo formed an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt by marrying Pharaoh's daughter. He brought her into the City of David, [where she lived] until he had finished building his own palace, the house of ADONAI and the wall around Yerushalayim.

The people, however, were still sacrificing on the high places, because no house had yet been built for the name of ADONAI.

Shlomo loved ADONAI, living according to the regulations set forth by David his father; nevertheless, he sacrificed and made offerings on the high places.

At Giv'on ADONAI appeared to Shlomo in a dream at night; God said, "Tell me what I should give you."

So now, ADONAI my God, you have made your servant king in the place of David my father; but I am a mere child - I don't know how to lead!

Moreover your servant is among your people, whom you chose, a great people so numerous that they cannot be counted.

Therefore, give your servant an understanding heart able to administer justice to your people, so that I can discern between good and bad - for who is equal to judging this great people of yours?"

What Shlomo had said in making this request pleased Adonai.

God said to him, "Because you have made this request instead of asking long life or riches for yourself, or your enemies' death, but rather asked for yourself understanding to discern justice;

I am doing what you requested. I am giving you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you, nor will there ever again be anyone like you.

I am also giving you what you didn't ask for, riches and honor greater than that of any other king throughout your life.

More than that, if you will live according to my ways, obeying my laws and mitzvot like your father David, I will give you a long life."

Shlomo awoke and found it had been a dream. But he went to Yerushalayim, stood before the ark for the covenant of ADONAI and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings. He also made a feast for all his servants.

All Isra'el heard of the decision the king had made and held the king in awe, for they saw that God's wisdom was in him, enabling him to render justice properly.

God gave Shlomo exceptional wisdom and understanding, as well as a heart as vast as the sandy beach by the sea.

"You know that David my father wasn't able to build a house for the name of ADONAI his God, because of the wars that beset him from every side, until ADONAI put his enemies under the soles of my feet.

But now ADONAI my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor calamity.

So now I intend to build a house for the name of ADONAI my God, in keeping with what ADONAI said to David my father, 'Your son, whom I will put on your throne in your place, will be the one to build the house for my name.'

When Hiram heard Shlomo's message, he was very happy and said, "Blessed be ADONAI today, who has given David a wise son to rule this great people."

ADONAI gave Shlomo wisdom, as he had promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Shlomo - the two of them formed an alliance together.

It was in the 480th year after the people of Isra'el had left the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Shlomo's reign over Isra'el, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of ADONAI.