t Solomon on David's mule and brought him
to Gihon. Zadok the priest took the horn of oil out of the tent and
poured oil on Solomon's head, and they blew the trumpet, and all the
people said, "May Solomon live!" Then all the people followed him and
the people played on flutes and rejoiced so loudly that the earth seemed
to be shaken by the sound that they made.

Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it just as they had
finished eating. And they were terrified and each rose up and went away.
But Adonijah in his fear of Solomon went and caught hold of the horns of
the altar. When it was reported to Solomon, "See, Adonijah fears Solomon
the ruler, for he has caught hold of the horns of the altar and says,
'Let Solomon solemnly promise me first that he will not kill his servant
with the sword,'" Solomon said, "If he shall show himself a worthy man,
not one of his hairs shall be touched, but if he is found guilty of
disloyalty, he shall die." So Solomon had him brought from the altar.
And he came and bowed before Solomon the ruler. And Solomon said to him,
"Go to your home."

Then David died and was buried in the City of David, after having ruled
over Israel forty years.

A YOUNG MAN'S WISE CHOICE

Solomon went to Gibeon to offer a sacrifice there, for that was the
great high place. He offered upon that altar a thousand animals as a
burnt-offering.

In Gibeon Jehovah appeared to Solomon in a dream by night and said, "Ask
what I shall give you." Solomon said, "Thou hast showed to thy servant
David my father great kindness. Now, O Jehovah my God, thou hast made
thy servant ruler in the place of David my father, although I am but a
child who does not know how to go out or come in. Give thy servant,
therefore, an understanding mind to rule thy people, that I may see
clearly what is good and what is evil; for who is able to rule this thy
great people?"

Jehovah was pleased that Solomon had asked this; and God said to him,
"Because you have asked this and have not asked for yourself long life
nor riches nor the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself
understanding to see clearly what is just, I have now granted what you
ask; I have given you a wise and understanding mind. I have also given
you that which you have not asked, both riches and honor." When Solomon
awoke, he found that it was a dream; and he returned to Jerusalem.

Once two women came to Solomon and stood before him. The one woman said