Old Testament: 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14

¹⁰Then David slept with his ancestors, and was buried in the city of David. ¹¹The time that David reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.

¹²So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established. ³Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David; only, he sacrificed and offered incense at the high places.⁴The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the principal high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.

⁵At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” ⁶And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. ⁷And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. ⁸And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. ⁹Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” ¹⁰It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. ¹¹God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, ¹²I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. ¹³I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king shall compare with you. ¹⁴If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your life.”

Psalm: Psalm 111

¹ Hallelujah!
   I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, *
       in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.
² Great are the deeds of the Lord! *
       they are studied by all who delight in them.
³ His work is full of majesty and splendor, *
       and his righteousness endures for ever.
⁴ He makes his marvelous works to be remembered; *
       the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
⁵ He gives food to those who fear him; *
       he is ever mindful of his covenant.
⁶ He has shown his people the power of his works *
       in giving them the lands of the nations.
⁷ The works of his hands are faithfulness and justice; *
       all his commandments are sure.
⁸ They stand fast for ever and ever, *
       because they are done in truth and equity.
⁹ He sent redemption to his people;
   he commanded his covenant for ever; *
       holy and awesome is his Name.
¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; *
       those who act accordingly have a good understanding;
       his praise endures for ever.