GOD-GIVEN WISDOM
Opening Prayer
Consider what you depend on God for the most. Rest in his provision today.
Read 1 Kings 3:1–15
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Solomon Asks for Wisdom
3 Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt and married his daughter. He brought her to the City of David until he finished building his palace and the temple of the Lord, and the wall around Jerusalem. 2 The people, however, were still sacrificing at the high places, because a temple had not yet been built for the Name of the Lord. 3 Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.
4 The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
6 Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.
7 “Now, 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. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 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?”
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.
He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.
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Reflect
We’re not kings or priests, but this does not make 1 Kings irrelevant; we are called to trust in the same God.As it is so often with Old Testament history, we are just given the bald facts with little comment—inviting us to draw our own conclusions from the rest of Scripture. In the light of what is to come later in 1 and 2 Kings, two details stand out like flashing red lights: first, Solomon marries Pharaoh’s daughter (3:1)! This is going to have serious repercussions (11:1–6). Second, people were still sacrificing on the high places—there was no alternative (2). This is what brings the king to Gibeon (4). But once the Temple is built, these will be a great snare, even for the king (11:7; 12:31,32). Despite this, what is clear about the king’s spiritual state (3)?
Given his unique God-given opportunity (5), Solomon makes the most remarkable request. Note how he sees everything in the light of what God has already done for David and Israel (6). Why is that important? Verses 7–9 show that Solomon has taken his father’s instructions (from yesterday’s passage) to heart. What better gift could there be?
The Lord is more than generous in his response (10–14). The following chapters prove that God keeps his promises.
Apply
Write down a list of situations or choices where you need wisdom today.
Closing prayer
James 1:5 reminds us all to seek God’s wisdom. Spend some time in prayer, seeking forgiveness and asking God for wisdom.
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