(a) Solomon loved the Lord and walked according to his father, David's statutes, laws and ways. When he began to reign he went to sacrifice to the Lord in Gibeon. The Lord appeared to him in dream by night and said to him, 'ask what I shat give you'. Solomon began by commending God for his great love for his father, David and for giving him a son to reign in his stead because he had walked before him in faithfulness and he remained faithful to God. He said, though, he, Solomon. was but a little child, he was in the midst of God's chosen people, a great people that cannot be numbered. He therefore asked for an understanding mind and wisdom, to govern the people and discern between good and evil ir governance. God was pleased with his request and he told him that since he had not asked for long life, riches, or the life of his enemies, he would grant him his request (such that none before or after him could be like him). Furthermore, he would give him what he had not asked for - riches and honour. God concluded that should he remember in faith and obey all God's commandments like his father, David, He would lengthen his days. Solomon woke up and realized that it was a dream. He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the Ark (of the covenant) and offered burnt offerings to the Lord and feasted his servants.

(b) The reasons for God's approval of Solomon's request are:
(i) Solomon's request of wisdom from God was very apt, for with it, no difficulty in his government of Israel would be insurmountable.
(ii) Solomon knew that he was not David's eldest son. Therefore, with wisdom, he would be able to handle any successor squabble that might arise.
(iii) As a child (he was then only 12 or 14), his inexperience needed God's sustaining gift of wisdom.
(iv) The king's most important function in his day was administration of justice since, as absolute kings, the reigned and ruled (they were not constitutional monarchs); therefore he required wisdom.