God was very pleased with this request, saying “Because you have asked this…Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. Solomon requested “an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9). God spoke to Solomon in a dream soon after he had gained the throne and told Solomon to ask a favor. Solomon’s virtues were very great, but his sins were large enough to cause disaster to the nation. The kingdom would be split in two, but only after Solomon’s death for the sake of God’s promises to David. These faults became so great that the Lord vowed to take away from Solomon’s empire ten of the tribes of Israel. He also began to oppress his people and forced them to build his extensive projects. Later in the life of the king, however, Solomon was drawn away from the service of God by his foreign wives. He was also given the great privilege of building the magnificent Temple of the Lord which the Israelites would use for their religious worship and ceremonies. He was given great wisdom by God, along with untold riches and power. King Solomon, the son of David, was the richest and most powerful king to ever govern Israel.
