2 At that time, there was no temple for worshipping the Lord, and everyone offered sacrifices at the local shrines.
3 Solomon loved the Lord and followed his father David's instructions, but Solomon also offered sacrifices and burnt incense at the shrines.
4 The most important shrine was in Gibeon, and Solomon had offered more than a thousand sacrifices on that altar.
5 One night while Solomon was in Gibeon, the Lord God appeared to him in a dream and said, “Solomon, ask for anything you want, and I will give it to you.”
6 Solomon answered:My father David, your servant, was honest and did what you commanded. You were always loyal to him, and you gave him a son who is now king.
7 Lord God, I'm your servant, and you've made me king in my father's place. But I'm very young and know so little about being a leader.
8 And now I must rule your chosen people, even though there are too many of them to count.