1 Kings 3:5

In a dream. In the days of Solomon’s father David, the will of the Lord had been revealed to men through the prophets Nathan and Gad (2 Sam. 7:2-17; 12:1-14; 24:11—14), and through special services rendered by the priests (1 Sam. 23:9-12; 30:7, 8). In addition, David himself also frequently spoke under inspiration, as, for example, when he wrote the psalms (see 2 Sam. 23:2). Solomon received his communication by a dream. God frequently chose dreams as a method of revealing Himself to His servants, for example, to Abraham (Gen. 15:12), Jacob (Gen. 28:12-16), Joseph (Gen. 37:5-10), and Daniel (Dan. 2:19; 7:1). He also spoke by dreams to those outside the ranks of Israel, for example, to Abimelech (Gen. 20:3-7), Laban (Gen. 31:24), Pharaoh and his servants (Gen. 40:5; 41:1-8), the Midianite (Judges 7:13), and Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 2:1; 4:10-18).

Ask. God knew well what Solomon needed, but He bade him ask. The incident was to be a test to the young king. By the nature of his request Solomon would reveal the nature of his heart.