1 Kings 3:1 – 15 “Later, Solomon formed an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt by marrying his daughter. Solomon brought her to the City of David until he had finished building his palace and the house of the LORD, as well as the wall around Jerusalem.
The people, however, were still sacrificing on the high places because a house for the Name of the LORD had not yet been built. And Solomon loved the LORD and walked in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.
Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for it was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar there.
One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”
Solomon replied, “You have shown much loving devotion to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart. And You have maintained this loving devotion by giving him a son to sit on his throne this very day. And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in. Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a people too numerous to count or number.
Therefore, give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. So, God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice— behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has never been nor will ever be another like you.
Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal. So, if you walk in My ways and keep My statutes and commandments, just as your father David did, I will prolong your days.”
Then Solomon awoke, and indeed it had been a dream. So, he returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he held a feast for all his servants.
Solomon is beginning his reign and trying to put things on a firm foundation. The first wife Solomon chooses is Pharaoh’s daughter. Many commentators believe that while this woman is not an Israelite, she likely becomes a proselyte, believing in the God of Israel. This marriage evidently takes place at a time when Egypt is not as strong as it was formerly, and Pharaoh is anxious to ally himself with a strong nation that controls several of the major trade routes. Solomon brings his new wife to Jerusalem.
At this point, Gibeon is still the primary site for sacrifices to the God of Israel. Solomon personally offers 1,000 burnt offerings on the altar at Gibeon. It is while Solomon is at Gibeon that God speaks to him one night.
God makes Solomon an incredible offer. “Ask, and I will give it to you!” Solomon makes a wonderful reply. “Solomon replied, “You have shown much loving devotion to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart. And You have maintained this loving devotion by giving him a son to sit on his throne this very day. And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in. Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a people too numerous to count or number.
Therefore, give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. So, God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice— behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has never been nor will ever be another like you.
Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal. So, if you walk in My ways and keep My statutes and commandments, just as your father David did, I will prolong your days.”
APPLICATION: Solomon makes a very hopeful beginning, and God honors that. There is one small comment that niggles at our consciousness. “And Solomon loved the LORD and walked in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.” Was Solomon always sacrificing to the God of Israel, or was he also burning incense and sacrificing to other gods, even at this point? We don’t know. We do know that Solomon asks only for wisdom to rule properly, and this pleases God immensely. God makes fantastic promises to Solomon, assuring him of wisdom, riches, honor, and long life if he will walk in God’s ways and keep His statutes.
God keeps His promises, and here at the dawning of Solomon’s reign, everything is full of hope. Solomon has eliminated those who might have betrayed him and is making a great start with God. So far, Solomon only has taken one wife and is doing well.
What would we ask for if God made the same offer to us that He made to Solomon? Would we be as humble as Solomon, or would we ask for something baser and less worthy? We fail to realize that we can ask God for things. We have the same opportunity to ask God for wisdom that Solomon did. What are we doing with our divine opportunities? Are we asking for things that will glorify God or are we asking for something less?
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to thoroughly love You and worthily magnify Your Holy Name. Thank You for the privilege of prayer. Help us to pray for those things that will glorify You. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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