When Solomon was anointed as a king, he eliminated all opposition to the throne, built the temple, established a strong army, and became the richest and wisest king in the history of Israel.  The Bible doesn’t record David’s promise that Solomon would be Israel’s next king, but it is clear that Solomon was the choice of both David (1Kings 1:17) and God (1 Chronicles 22:9-10).  

In today’s reading, God appeared to Solomon in a night dream and said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” And Solomon said to God: “You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. ……Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?” (2Chron.1:6,2Chron.1:7,2Chron.1:10) Now Solomon felt the vulnerability of his office to be an ideal king to rule over the people.  He literally humbled in the presence of God admitting his incapability and lack of knowledge, wisdom and experience to take the office of a king at an early age.  He is now earnestly seeking the Lord’s guidance:

The climax of the scene (dream) reached at this point where the humility of Solomon touched the heart of God and God moved His heart towards Solomon and showered a whole load of blessings into his life more than what he could even think or imagine. Here we see that Solomon is not refusing the task that the LORD has given him to do. He is just asking for the LORD to empower him to do the task He has set before him. This gift of wisdom that he is asking for, is not even for a selfish reason, but to serve the chosen family of God in the best way. 

God said to him: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king- wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.” (2 Chron. 1:11-13) 

We see here the fulfillment of Matthew 6:33 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.” Let us be people who seek after God and pray as Jesus taught us “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.…” (Matt. 6:9). God is pleased with those who chose to seek Him and His purposes and He blesses them.

Besides, God’s promise to Solomon as seen in 1 Kings 3:14 was: “So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” But we see later in 1 Kings 11:9-13 that his heart was turned away from the Lord and the consequences followed. In contrast to David, his father whom God called “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22), Solomon did not remain faithful to God. 

The lesson for us today is to seek God and His wisdom to direct us all the days of our life so that we can truly live pleasing to Him.

Prayer:

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalms 19:14