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son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.
2 Then Solomon spoke to all Israel—to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to all the leaders in Israel, the heads of families. 3 Solomon and the whole assembly with him went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for God’s Tent of Meeting was there, which Moses the Lord’s servant had made in the wilderness. 4 Now David had brought up the Ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place that he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. 5 But he put the bronze altar that Bezaleel son of Uri, son of Hur, had made, in front of the tabernacle of the Lord; so Solomon and the assembly sought Him there. 6 Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before the Lord, which was at the Tent of Meeting, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.
7 That night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask what I should give you.”
8 Solomon said to God, “You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, O Lord God, let Your promise to my father David be fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?”
11 God said to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for riches, wealth, or honour, or for the life of those who hate you, nor have you asked for long life, but you have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, so that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. And I will give you riches, wealth, and honour, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”
13 So Solomon went to Jerusalem from the high place that was at Gibeon in front of the Tent of Meeting, and he reigned over Israel.
14 Solomon accumulated chariots and horsemen; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, which he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. 15 The king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as common as stones, and he made cedars as abundant as the sycamore trees of the Shephelah. 16 Solomon had horses imported from Egypt and from Kue. The king’s merchants bought from Kue at the going price. 17 They also imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty; likewise they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Aram through their agents.