“That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” Solomon replied, “You showed great and faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued to show this great and faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne. “Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies— I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭14‬ ‭

This is one of my favorite stories in scripture. It shows a man who realized that the task before him was one in which he could not do well own his own. At a point of weakness, he shows great wisdom. Solomon’s answer to God revealed his heart. God saw this and blessed him big time.

When we know our own ability is not adequate for what God has called us to, we are in a great place to be used by Him. We are at our best when we have pure, open hearts before God.

Above anything he could have asked for, Solomon asked for wisdom to govern God’s people. Solomon knew they were a holy people, chosen by God. They were God’s. Such a different perspective from the heavy taxation Solomon placed over the people in his later years. This was a totally selfish move as the money collected went to furnish Solomon’s palace.

God gives us guidelines in life for our own good. Had Solomon adhered to the three rules given to kings (“The king must not build up a large stable of horses for himself or send his people to Egypt to buy horses, for the Lord has told you, ‘You must never return to Egypt.’ The king must not take many wives for himself, because they will turn his heart away from the Lord. And he must not accumulate large amounts of wealth in silver and gold for himself.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭17‬:‭16‬-‭17‬) he may have not forsaken the Lord in the end. His reign may have ended in a positive way. Future kings of Israel may not have been so evil. It’s heart wrenching when someone starts out so well, but ends badly. Their end is only the beginning of the legacy they leave behind.

Ever since Exodus, God has been pleading with us to obey His commands. “Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me.” Exodus‬ ‭19‬:‭5‬ ‭

It is for our benefit to align our lives to every part of God’s word, not just the parts that are easy. Pride, greed, unforgiveness, bitterness, adultery, lying, etc. All of it takes us away from God’s presence, by that we lean more on our own understanding rather than His.