Solomon Asks For Wisdom
April 16, 2020
Commentary
At the end of I Chronicles (29:26-30) we find that David has just died (he was about 70 years of age) (II Samuel 5:4). Solomon takes the royal power fully with a genuine wholehearted devotion to God (v. 1). He is now in complete control of his kingdom because the Lord has blessed him. After communicating with all the leaders of Israel, Solomon led them up to Gibeon, about seven miles northwest of Jerusalem where the Mosaic tabernacle was located, to meet with God (vv. 2-5). Along with the other national leaders Solomon expresses his devotion to the Lord by offering 1,000 burnt offerings on that one occasion (v.6). That night the Lord responded to Solomon’s expression of worship by appearing to him (in a dream; of I Kings 3:5) and inviting him to request whatever he wanted (v.7).
Because Solomon was young and inexperienced, he was apprehensive about his ability to rule this great nation. He asked for practical “know-how” in doing the job God had given him to do (vv. 8-10). This unselfish character of Solomon’s choice prompted God to grant not only what Solomon asked for but also more (vv. 11-12). God said he would also give Solomon wealth, riches, and honor unlike any other king of Israel (v.11-12 of I Chronicles 29:25). Solomon then leaves Gibeon and returns to Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel (v. 13). To show God’s faithfulness to His promise, the writer then itemized the material blessings that came to Solomon (vv. 14-17).
Application
How unselfish is my character? Read Matthew 5:38-42. If I were asked to do something once (like mow the yard, vacuum the house, or take out the trash) how many times would I do it? Doing it more than once (when I don’t have to) shows true unselfish character. This means that when I’m wronged, I will not try to get even (or ahead). It was this “unselfishcharacter” that pleased God and prompted Him to ask Solomon what he would like.
2 Chronicles 1:1– 17 (NET)
1 Solomon son of David solidified his royal authority, for the Lord his God was with him and magnified him greatly.
2 Solomon addressed all Israel, including those who commanded units of a thousand and a hundred, the judges, and all the leaders of all Israel who were heads of families. 3 Solomon and the entire assembly went to the worship center in Gibeon, for the tent where they met God was located there, which Moses the Lord’s servant had made in the wilderness. 4 (Now David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to the place he had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. 5 But the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, was in front of the Lord’s tabernacle. Solomon and the entire assembly prayed to him there.) 6 Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord which was at the meeting tent, and he offered up 1,000 burnt sacrifices.
7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Tell me what I should give you.” 8 Solomon replied to God, “You demonstrated great loyalty to my father David and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, Lord God, may your promise to my father David be realized, for you have made me king over a great nation as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Now give me wisdom and discernment so I can effectively lead this nation. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours.”
11 God said to Solomon, “Because you desire this, and did not ask for riches, wealth, and honor, or for vengeance on your enemies, and because you did not ask for long life, but requested wisdom and discernment so you can make judicial decisions for my people over whom I have made you king, 12 you are granted wisdom and discernment. Furthermore I am giving you riches, wealth, and honor surpassing that of any king before or after you.”
13 Solomon left the meeting tent at the worship center in Gibeon and went to Jerusalem, where he reigned over Israel.
14 Solomon accumulated chariots and horses. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses . He kept them in assigned cities and in Jerusalem. 15 The king made silver and gold as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones; cedar was as plentiful as sycamore fig trees are in the foothills. 16 Solomon acquired his horses from Egypt and from Que; the king’s traders purchased them from Que. 17 They paid 600 silver pieces for each chariot from Egypt, and 150 silver pieces for each horse. They also sold chariots and horses to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Syria.
Illustration: Thankful Because of Fleas
Corrie ten Boom in The Hiding Place relates an incident that taught her always to be thankful. She and her sister, Betsy, had just been transferred to the worst German prison camp they had seen yet, Ravensbruck. Upon entering the barracks, they found them extremely overcrowded and flea-infested. That morning, their Scripture reading in 1 Thessalonians had reminded them to rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances. Betsy told Corrie to stop and thank the Lord for every detail of their new living quarters. Corrie at first flatly refused to give thanks for the fleas, but Betsy persisted, and Corrie finally succumbed to her pleadings. During the months spent at the camp, they were surprised to find how openly they could hold Bible study and prayer meetings without the guard’s interference. It was not until several months later that they learned the reason the guards would not enter the barracks was because of the fleas. (Encyclopedia of Illustrations #13150).