How have you asked lately?

Take a few moments and read 1 Kings 3:1-14. As you do so, put yourself in Solomon’s shoes and imagine the situation he is in as king.

What I want you to see is that Solomon asks for a “discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong” (v. 9). It is amazing to me that of ALL that he could ask for, Solomon asked for the ability to discern between good and bad, right and wrong.

Now, there is nothing at all wrong with this request. As a king, I would like to think that I would want that same ability. But Solomon did not ask for power, prestige, wealth or anything that would be considered something just for him to enjoy. He ultimately asks for something that will help him be a more effective ruler over Israel.

Let’s look now at God’s response. In verses 11 & 12 God says, “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, 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.”

Wow! Above receiving the discerning heart, God grants Solomon a ‘wise’ heart. The word ‘wise’ in Hebrew means “skillful in technical work, wise in administration, wise ethically and religiously.’ So Solomon received the ability to discern between right and wrong, and on top of that he also received the skill to use what he had been taught and learned in a skillful and administrative manner.

But God was not done giving to Solomon; check out verses 13 & 14: “Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for – both riches and honor – so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”

Can you believe it? Solomon received a discerning heart, wisdom, riches, honor and if he obeyed God, a long life. And to think that all he asked for was the ability to discern between right and wrong.

As you reflect honestly on what you ask God for, do you have to admit that it is extremely personal in nature? How much of what you ask for benefits you? How much benefits others?

What Solomon asked for was really for the benefit of those he was king over. What he received benefited everyone involved.

The key to all of this is found in verse 7: “Now, O 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.” The description of himself as a “little child” is not in age, but in experience. Solomon acknowledged that in and of himself he was unable to perform the duties of a king. He admitted his weakness. When was the last time you admitted to God that you are weak and that only through Him are you strong?

I believe that due in large part to Solomon’s humility, God granted to him what he asked for and more. As you go about your day, as you seek the Lord in prayer, I challenge you to acknowledge the greatness of God and the lowliness of yourself.

As I close, allow these verses to impact you as you seek the Lord in prayer: “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ . . . Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:6, 10).