1 Kings 3:5-15: What would you ask for?

1 Kings 3:5-15: What would you ask for?

God visits King Solomon in a dream and asks him what he wants from God.  Solomon first acknowledges God's goodness to his father King David who walked in truth and righteousness.  Then he asks for wisdom because he wants to always do right by the Lord and serve his people in an honorable way.  He has a servant's heart in that he wants to assure all his judgements are fair.  Therefore, he tells God he wants to be able to discern between good and bad.  This is my prayer as well, that I may always know right from wrong based on God's standards, not man's or my own.

God is pleased with Solomon's humility and not only makes Solomon the wisest person that ever lived but goes above and beyond what he asked for and grants riches and honor to the point where "there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days." But in verse 14 God adds that Solomon must keep God's commandments if he wants to retain these wonderful blessings and then God will also lengthen Solomon's days (see also 1 Kings 6:12).

God is pleased with us when we put other needs above our own as Solomon did.  May I also approach the Lord in such humility and selflessness.

Jumping ahead to chapter 4:29 God says, "And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the seashore."  Therefore, he became not only wise, but compassionate, a perfect combination!

(1 Kings 3:5-15) And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father...

In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, "Ask what I shall give thee."

And Solomon said, "Thou hast shewed 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. 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... 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?"

And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 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; 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. 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. 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."

And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream.