Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings at the high place, a place of sacrifice, in Gibeon. That night God appeared to him in a dream and told him to ask for what he wanted. Solomon spoke of God’s kindness to David and said that he was like a child who did not know how to lead. He asked for an understanding heart to judge God’s many people and discern good from evil.
God was pleased because Solomon had not asked for long life, riches, or the death of enemies. God gave him a wise and understanding heart and also promised wealth and honor. If he walked in God’s ways and kept his commandments as David had, God would lengthen his life. Solomon returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark, offered sacrifices, and gave a feast for his servants.
Two women came before him, each claiming the same living infant. They had lived in one house and given birth three days apart. One woman said the other’s child had died in the night and that she had exchanged the dead child for the living one. The other woman denied it, insisting that the living child was hers.
Solomon called for a sword and said the living child should be divided between them. The true mother begged that the child be given to the other woman rather than killed. The other said he should be divided. Solomon gave the living child to the woman who begged for his life. Israel heard the judgment and saw that God’s wisdom was in the king.