And the king took an oath and said, "[As] the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from every distress,

And Solomon said: "You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as [it is] this day.

"Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I [am] a little child; I do not know [how] to go out or come in.

"Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness."

Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.

And Solomon said to God: "You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place.

"Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.

And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them.

"Please forgive the trespass of your maidservant. For the LORD will certainly make for my lord an enduring house, because my lord fights the battles of the LORD, and evil is not found in you throughout your days.

"since the time that I commanded judges [to be] over My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the LORD tells you that He will make you a house.

"He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

"since the time that I commanded judges [to be] over My people Israel. Also I will subdue all your enemies. Furthermore I tell you that the LORD will build you a house.

"And [yet] this was a small thing in Your sight, O God; and You have [also] spoken of Your servant's house for a great while to come, and have regarded me according to the rank of a man of high degree, O LORD God.

" And now, O LORD, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, [let it] be established forever, and do as You have said.

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.

'He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son, and I [will be] his Father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.'

Then Solomon said, "If he proves himself a worthy man, not one hair of him shall fall to the earth; but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die."

Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong [his] days, [which are] as a shadow, because he does not fear before God.