Microstudy -- "What to ask for."
The way King
Solomon received his wisdom is a fascinating story. Solomon was the son of David and Bathsheba and followed King
David to the throne of all Israel and Judah.
Soon after his anointing as King we find the LORD asking Solomon what he
desires for God to give him. We find
the story in 1 Kings 3:5-15.
(5) In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a
dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
Now pay close
attention to Solomon's answer:
(6) And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy
servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in
truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou
hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on
his throne, as it is this day.
Notice Solomon's praise of his father David and God's relationship with
him. Now in the next verse I want you
to notice that Solomon admits to being child like and that he doesn't know
anything about ruling over God chosen people.
(7) And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy
servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know
not how to go out or come in. (8) And
thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great
people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
Now Solomon's
request of the LORD.
(9) Give therefore thy servant an understanding
heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is
able to judge this thy so great a people?
Did this
please the LORD? Read verses 10-13.
(10) And the speech pleased the Lord, that
Solomon had asked this thing. (11) And
God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for
thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the
life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern
judgment; (12) Behold, I have done
according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding
heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall
any arise like unto thee. (13) And I
have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour:
so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
God was so pleased
that Solomon had NOT asked for riches or long life or special things for
himself, but wisdom to rule His people that God gave him that special
knowledge and wisdom PLUS the things he had NOT asked for, riches and honor for
the rest of his life.
But in verse 14 God
issues Solomon a challenge, a condition if you will, designated by the
conditional word IF.
(14) And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my
statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will
lengthen thy days. (15) And Solomon
awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before
the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and
offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.
Yes, God told
Solomon that IF he would walk in His ways and keep His statutes and His
commandments in the same way that his father David had then, in addition to all
the rest, God would give him a long life to live.
What a beautiful
story and what a loving Father we have.
Shouldn't we be more like Solomon when we ask of God? Like Solomon, let's always ask God to give
us what we need to enable us to help God's people.
We invite you to
ponder this study.
Charles Aldridge
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Microstudy
3/12/2000