Focus Chapters:
- Psalms 83
- 1 Chronicles 29:23-25
- 2 Chronicles 1:1
- 1 Kings 2:13-46
- 1 Kings 3:1-4
- 2 Chronicles 1:2-6
- 1 Kings 3:5-15
- 2 Chronicles 1:7-13
Standout Verse(s):
1 Kings 3:4-15 NLT
The most important of these places of worship was at Gibeon, so the king went there and sacrificed 1,000 burnt offerings. That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”
Solomon replied, “You showed great and faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued to show this great and faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne.
“Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?”
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies— I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.”
Observation (s):
- Solomon’s actions were so pleasing that God offered to give him anything he asked for.
The most important of these places of worship was at Gibeon, so the king went there and sacrificed 1,000 burnt offerings. That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”
- Solomon was humble enough to understand that, as a young king, he needed understanding and wisdom, endowed by God, in order to be an effective ruler.
“Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?”
- Solomon’s request pleased God. God gave him the desire of his heart, making him the wisest man to have ever lived, and blessed him with things that his physical man would have desired.
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies— I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.”
Application:
Can you recall the desires of your younger self’s heart? Can you imagine what the younger version of yourself would have asked for if the Lord gave them an “ask for anything” pass? Given the track record of silly things I’ve desired when asked my birthday desires, I cringe to think what I would have requested.
It’s amazing that Solomon, at such a young age, asked God for an understanding heart and wisdom over all the things that a young king could have asked for. Solomon’s heart’s desire and focus was on doing a great job in the role that God had set him. Despite his age, he deeply desired to rule God’s people in a manner that pleased and reflected God. At such a young age, he asked for a gift that benefitted God’s people through him. In order to get to that place, Solomon had to be self-aware, honest and humble in his acknowledgement to himself and God about his lack of knowledge.
And you know what! God was so pleased with his request that He granted his desires, above and beyond, and blessed him with the things that his physical man would have probably asked for.
What are the desires of your heart? If they are fulfilled would they reflect God or benefit His people?
