The Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
Solomon answered, “. . . Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
Thought for Today
If God gave you the same offer He made to Solomon, what would you ask for? You could ask for wealth, power or fame. You could be altruistic and ask for world peace or an end to cancer. It would be entirely up to you. Solomon knew he had a problem. At 20 years old he has become king of a nation. Everyone assumed another of David’s sons would be king, so Solomon was not groomed for the position. He is also trying to fill the shoes of the greatest king in their history, so expectations are exceedingly high. He needs something that will help him be the leader that Israel needs. In truth, Solomon does not ask for wisdom. He asks for the ability to “distinguish between right and wrong.” Solomon wants to know what the right thing to do is in God’s eyes. This is a marvelous request; much better than wisdom in general. For if you know the right thing in God’s sight you can always lead the people in the way that best honors Him. Those who honor God are blessed by Him. This request is very much in tune with being the son of the “man after God’s own heart.” God is so pleased with Solomon’s desire to lead the people in ways that honor Him that He promises Solomon every other blessing under heaven to go with it. This is perfectly in line with what Jesus says to you and me. “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). What can you do to more intentionally seek God’s Kingdom and righteousness today? You too display the Wisdom of Solomon when you seek God first.
Prayer
Holy Lord, give me the heart to seek You today and the spirit to discern right from wrong so that I may honor You like Solomon did. Amen.
Devotional Quote
Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done. ― C.S. Lewis
Quote of the Day
It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. — Henry David Thoreau
The Wisdom of Solomon
1 Kings 3:5ff
The Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
Solomon answered, “. . . Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
Thought for Today
If God gave you the same offer He made to Solomon, what would you ask for? You could ask for wealth, power or fame. You could be altruistic and ask for world peace or an end to cancer. It would be entirely up to you. Solomon knew he had a problem. At 20 years old he has become king of a nation. Everyone assumed another of David’s sons would be king, so Solomon was not groomed for the position. He is also trying to fill the shoes of the greatest king in their history, so expectations are exceedingly high. He needs something that will help him be the leader that Israel needs. In truth, Solomon does not ask for wisdom. He asks for the ability to “distinguish between right and wrong.” Solomon wants to know what the right thing to do is in God’s eyes. This is a marvelous request; much better than wisdom in general. For if you know the right thing in God’s sight you can always lead the people in the way that best honors Him. Those who honor God are blessed by Him. This request is very much in tune with being the son of the “man after God’s own heart.” God is so pleased with Solomon’s desire to lead the people in ways that honor Him that He promises Solomon every other blessing under heaven to go with it. This is perfectly in line with what Jesus says to you and me. “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). What can you do to more intentionally seek God’s Kingdom and righteousness today? You too display the Wisdom of Solomon when you seek God first.
Prayer
Holy Lord, give me the heart to seek You today and the spirit to discern right from wrong so that I may honor You like Solomon did. Amen.
Devotional Quote
Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done. ― C.S. Lewis
Quote of the Day
It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. — Henry David Thoreau