Commentary Par XIII 88-96

Without further explanation, Thomas says, Dante might still remain dubious; if he only considers who Solomon was and what moved him to ask for wisdom, he will understand.  See III Kings 3:5-12), in which passage God appears to Solomon in a dream and promises to grant him whatever he asks for.  Solomon responds by saying that God has made His servant into a king, but a king who has need of a knowing heart to judge his people.  God, pleased by his answer, replies (in the passage quoted in [Par X 114] [and see C.Par.XIII.109-114]) 'dedi tibi cor sapiens et intelligens, in tantum ut nullus ante te similis tui fuerit nec post te surrecturus sit' (I have given you a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like you before you, nor after you shall any arise who is like you [III Kings 3:12 -- italics added]).

According to Toffanin (DDP Toff.1968.1), p. 453, Dante's veneration of Solomon the king is the high point of his Ghibellinism.