Home
Solomon Prays for Wisdom
1 Kings 3.5-12
Good News Translation (GNT)
*************************
5 That night the Lord appeared to him in a
dream and asked him, "What would you like
me to give you?"
6 Solomon answered, "You always showed
great love for my father David, your servant,
and he was good, loyal, and honest in his
relation with you. And you have continued to
show him your great and constant love by
giving him a son who today rules in his place.
7 O Lord God, you have let me succeed my
father as king, even though I am very young
and don't know how to rule.
8 Here I am among the people you have chosen
to be your own, a people who are so many
that they cannot be counted.
9 So give me the wisdom I need to rule
your people with justice and to know the
difference between good and evil.
Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule
this great people of yours?"
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had
asked for this,
11 and so he said to him, "Because you have
asked for the wisdom to rule justly, instead of
long life for yourself or riches or the death of
your enemies,
12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you
more wisdom and understanding than anyone
has ever had before or will ever have again.
*************************
Taken from 'word-on-the-web' supplied by the
Scripture Union
Solomon Prays for Wisdom
1 Kings 3.5-12
King Midas and Aladdin, with his genie in a lamp, are legendary
and fictional characters who were presented with an opportunity to have
whatever they might wish for.
There could not be a greater contrast between their response and that
of Solomon, when the true and living God asks him what he wants.
Unlike those characters, Solomon knows the God with whom he is dealing.
He loves the Lord.
He is grateful for all that he has already received.
He recognises that the Lord is the one who had made promises
to his father that were now being fulfilled.
Solomon does not seek personal benefit from God,
but rather what will benefit the people of God.
He asks for wisdom to rule.
He recognises the immensity of the task that is set before him.
(He has already had the experience of acting judiciously
but this hasn't made him self-confident.)
When Paul writes about spiritual gifts he has a similar emphasis:
that what we receive from God is not for ourselves but is to be used
for the blessing of others (e.g. 1 Cor. 14:13-19).
Solomon's unselfish request is met with God's promise to give him more
than he asked for. We can never outdo God for generosity.
Solomon's kingdom is going to be the most glorious of any in the
history of Israel.
Even with God-given wisdom Solomon fell.
It is only by grace that we can stand.
Other versions are available here
Return to the Home Page
Contact the Benefice Office
Sunday School Rooms, Church Lane,
BUGBROOKE, Northampton, NN7 3PB
Land Line: 01604 830373
E-mail:
thebeneficeofbhkandr at gmail dot com
Mon., Tues., Wed., Thur.
9:00am to 11:30am
For Baptism bookings (Christenings)
to arrange an appointment please contact
the Benefice Office.
For Wedding bookings:
please contact the Benefice Office to arrange
an appointment.
Who Made This?
Seeing as you asked, if you can give helpful
advice or report factual corrections and
'deliberate mistakes',email:-
regparker3 at gmail dot com
Email addresses shown using words in an
attempt to avoid 'spam',
Type the email address replacing 'at' with '@',
and 'dot' with '.'
|